10 Car Features That Should’ve Never Been Invented
It’s true, technology has come a long way over the years, especially in the automotive world. At one point, Ford had the Model T, which served to address the public’s most basic transportation needs. Today, we have cars that will alert you to danger on the road, keep you in a straight line, and even give you a back massage while you are behind the wheel. However, not every addition to the modern vehicle has been a “winner.” Some have been downright ridiculous. Here’s a look at 10 car features that should have never been invented.
1. Touchscreen Climate Controls
Replacing simple knobs with touchscreens for adjusting climate settings might look sleek, but it’s far from practical. Drivers now have to take their eyes off the road just to turn down the heat or fan. This increases distraction and reduces safety in the most basic situations. What once took half a second now involves menu scrolling and finger accuracy. It’s a frustrating trade-off of style over functionality. Old-school buttons were more intuitive, and frankly, they worked just fine.
2. Faux Engine Sounds Through Speakers
Some modern cars, especially electric or turbocharged models, play fake engine sounds through the speakers to simulate performance. While intended to enhance the driving experience, it feels dishonest and awkward. Many drivers find it gimmicky or even annoying over time. Authentic car enthusiasts would rather hear the real engine or enjoy the silence. This artificial sound feature adds unnecessary complexity without offering real value. It’s a feature no one asked for and few actually appreciate.
3. Electronic Gear Selectors
Traditional gear shifters were tactile, simple, and reliable. Replacing them with buttons, dials, or electronic sliders has confused many drivers and even led to accidents. In some cars, the electronic shifter doesn’t clearly indicate which gear you’re in. Worse, there’s often a delay between selecting a gear and feeling the car respond. This can be dangerous in critical moments, like reversing in a tight spot. What was once mechanical and foolproof is now an overcomplicated mess.
4. Automatic Start-Stop Systems
Designed to save fuel, these systems turn the engine off at red lights and restart when you lift your foot off the brake. While the concept sounds eco-friendly, the execution can be jarring. Drivers often report lag, rough restarts, or awkward shutdowns in traffic. In heavy urban driving, it can become more irritating than helpful. Some systems also wear down starter motors faster. It’s a feature that tries to do good but causes more headaches than benefits.
5. Rear Seat Entertainment Screens
While these were meant to keep kids quiet, they’re now outdated thanks to smartphones and tablets. Built-in screens are expensive to repair, often slow to respond, and lack the features of modern devices. Many parents say their kids don’t even use them. Plus, they add unnecessary cost to the vehicle’s price tag. In-car Wi-Fi and charging ports are far more useful. These screens are a relic of a time before everyone had their own screen in their pocket.
6. Lane Keep Assist That Overreacts
Lane keep assist systems are supposed to gently nudge you back if you drift—but some are far too aggressive. They can jerk the wheel unexpectedly, especially on narrow or winding roads. This can actually make the driving experience feel less safe. In some cases, the system fights against driver input unnecessarily. Rather than helping, it creates frustration and even danger. If a feature makes you less confident behind the wheel, it’s doing the opposite of its job.
7. Overly Sensitive Parking Sensors
Parking sensors are helpful—until they won’t stop beeping over nothing. Some systems react to tiny curbs, bushes, or even rain, turning every parking maneuver into a beeping panic. Drivers quickly learn to ignore the alerts, which defeats the purpose. A feature designed to improve safety ends up adding noise and confusion. Poor calibration and false alarms make this tech more annoying than helpful. When you can’t trust a sensor, it becomes a liability.
8. Oversized Touchscreens
Massive infotainment screens have become a trend, but bigger isn’t always better. They often dominate the dashboard and can cause serious glare during the day. Worse, they put all vehicle functions—from music to headlights—under one digital roof. If the system crashes, you lose access to everything. Touchscreens also leave fingerprints everywhere, requiring constant cleaning. A balanced design with physical buttons for key functions is still the smartest setup.
9. Keyless Ignition Without Safety Locks
Keyless ignition sounds convenient, but it’s led to a surprising number of accidents and even carbon monoxide deaths. Drivers have exited cars without realizing the engine was still running. In enclosed garages, this can be fatal. A simple safety lock or auto-shutoff would solve the problem, but not all systems have one. The feature was meant to simplify—but it overlooks critical safety details. Convenience should never come at the cost of safety.
10. Auto-Dimming Mirrors That Can’t Be Turned Off
Auto-dimming mirrors are great—until they dim when you don’t want them to. Some models don’t offer a manual override, which is especially annoying during low-light conditions. It can make it hard to see clearly at dusk or when street lighting is poor. What was meant to reduce glare ends up reducing visibility. Every driver’s night vision is different, so control should be optional. Without it, this “feature” becomes a hindrance instead of a help.
When Innovation Misses the Mark
Some car features should’ve never made their way into any vehicle. When it’s all said and done, automakers should be focused on safety and reliability. Screens and other features that have been added might seem innovative and even cool, but drivers deserve better than tech that is confusing (or worse, distracting).
What do you think of these car features? Have you found any of them to be useful? Let us know in the comments.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.