Touch-Sensitive Volume Controls
We won't beat around the bush here — touch-sensitive volume controls absolutely suck. They're fiddly, impractical, and a giant pain to use when you're driving. Volume knobs are surely easier, right? Can't we just bring them back? Please!
Social Media Messaging Integration
The fewer distractions you face as a driver, the better. So why would you want to integrate your social media messages via the infotainment system? That sounds like a recipe for disaster! It's such a needless feature. Does anyone want to be bombarded with Facebook notifications while they're concentrating on the road? But shockingly, this isn't the worst example of questionable car tech...
Gesture Control
Have you ever tried to use a gesture control feature inside a car? You haven't? Well, take it from us folks — it can be a proper hassle. And that's putting it kindly! It's not always precise or accurate, leading to incorrect inputs. This tech is the sort of stressful distraction that no driver wants to deal with.
Voice Recognition
Conceptually, voice recognition is a really cool idea. In practice, though? Oh boy. Let's just say there's a few kinks that still need to be ironed out. Accents, outside noise, and multiple voices can throw it off. So given the feature's limitations for now, a button or dial on the dashboard is surely easier to use, right?
Gear Shift Indicator
No one likes a backseat driver, right? Yet with this tech feature, you'll be facing similar frustrations on your dashboard! Yep, the gear shift indicator does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a device that tells you when to change gears — but you might not always agree with it. Shift up? Pipe down more like...
CVT Paddle Shifters
In simple terms, a CVT is essentially an automatic gearbox with an "infinite" number of gear ratios. So what are CVT paddle shifters? Well, they're two small switches found on the steering wheel that allow you to manually control the gears. Why do you need a CVT, then? Surely a stepped gearbox would suffice?
G-Force Meter
Can g-force meters be useful in cars? Absolutely. From brake performance testing to fleet management, it does serve a purpose. But do you really need one in your vehicle while going about your day? Probably not! It's just another attachment that can potentially distract you on the road.
Autonomous Driving
Decades ago, self-driving cars were nothing more than a sci-fi fantasy. That isn't the case now, though — and we're not sure how to feel about it! Do you really want to hang up your keys and allow an autonomous vehicle to take you everywhere? What's the point?
TV Reception
We'd love to know who came up with this feature. It's a little baffling! Getting TV reception in your car might sound cool, but remember this — it's illegal to watch anything while you're driving. You have to be completely stationary before you can switch it on. Why bother?
Fragrance Systems
How's this for a needless feature? Certain vehicles offer a "special" in-car fragrance system to spruce up the interior. But these scents cost a pretty penny to top-up and replace. They're definitely more expensive than a traditional air freshener that hangs on your rearview mirror. Given the choice, what would you prefer?
Beeping Back-Up Warning
Who doesn't love reversing cameras? They're awesome! You never have to worry about parking again. Or do you? The blaring beep that comes as you're backing up to a wall or another vehicle is insanely distracting. Is it really needed? And the same can be asked of the next feature, too...
Colored Belt Edges
Do colored belt edges catch the eye? Certainly. Do you really need them, though? Probably not! Other than their shade, these seat belts are no different to standard options. But they can be much more expensive. If you're on a tight budget, it's a hard expense to justify.
Display Car Key
Oh dear — where do we start here! Display car keys are bulky, pricey, and ultimately pointless. All the information on this device's screen can be easily found on your phone through an app. And to make matters worse, they're not that durable, either. Why buy one, then?
Passenger Touchscreen Displays
You can't deny that passenger touchscreen displays look quite cool. But ask yourself this, folks — are you going to use it all that much? No? We didn't think so! If you bring a smartphone or tablet with you on long journeys, you're already set. And the same can be said about the next feature, too...
Rear Seat Media Systems
There was a time when rear seat media systems were seen as awesome additions to family-sized cars. Now, though? That's not the case. On top of their technical limitations and glitchy output, these features don't measure-up to well-equipped tablets, either. To put it bluntly, they're hopelessly outdated.
Pop-Up Door Handles
Be honest with us, folks — do any of you like pop-up door handles? They're so irritating! A cool, futuristic look doesn't make up for slow reaction times nor an inability to handle colder conditions. And fixing them isn't fun. At all. The repair costs can be brutal.
Built-In Sat Navs
Built-in navigation systems can be very useful at times. But not all of them are equipped to give you real-time updates. And that's a major issue — especially when you're trying to avoid traffic! Your phone can access the relevant information via map apps, so why pay for a static sat nav?
Automatic Parking Assist
If you hate parking you car, then the automatic parking assist feature will sound like a dream. But in truth, it's more of a nightmare! When called into action, this tech addition is slow, ridiculously wary, and struggles to identify appropiate spaces. It's frustrating, to say the least.
In-Car Wi-Fi Subscriptions
Do you need an in-car Wi-Fi subscription if your family's phones have unlimited data? No way! They wouldn't even consider connecting their devices to the service. So why bother paying a monthly fee for the sub? That money could be better utilized elsewhere. Anywhere, really.
Digital Side Mirrors
Traditional mirrors? Pah! They're a thing of the past apparently. Instead, say hello to the future. Yep, digital side mirrors are indeed a thing. And they're...not all that great? Oh. The cameras don't offer the best visibility in certain conditions, while total screen failure will leave you in a terrible spot. We'll stick with the "past" for now.
Virtual Rearview Mirrors
If you think digital side mirrors are pointless, wait until you see this feature. Yes, virtual rearview mirrors are beginning to crop up as well. And they're arguably just as bad! The tiniest bit of grime can obscure the camera's lens, hurting your visibility as a result. The traditional option can't be beaten here.
Multi-Function Switches
In theory, multi-function switches should be excellent features. Two buttons that do the job of four? Cool! Are they, though? A lot of folks would disagree. In practice, these switches can cause plenty of confusion and frustration. Separate controls for different functions are much easier to deal with.
Air Vents Controlled by Screens
Did you know that certain vehicles allow you to control the interior air vents through touchscreens? It's an interesting feature — until you get around to actually using it. Then it becomes a huge annoyance! It isn't very practical and can be needlessly complex. Repairing this system doesn't come cheap, either.
Sensitive Safety Systems
Look, folks — on the whole, modern safety systems are extremely helpful additions in newer vehicles. But some can be a little too sensitive. And that's not great news. From false alerts to automatic emergency braking that reacts abruptly to distant obstacles, it can put you on edge. People have been known to switch the features off in those instances.
Bad Blind-Spot Monitoring
Blind-spot monitoring systems should be a slam-dunk. Yet in certain cases, they're more of an airball! Why do they go crazy when cars in other lanes are nowhere near you? That surely defeats the purpose, right? And the orange warning lights on the side mirrors can be confused with the turn signals, too.
Touch-Sensitive Steering Wheel Controls
It's hard to champion touch-sensitive steering wheel controls. They're incredibly irritating! In addition to being distracting, the controls are somehow both non-responsive and overly-sensitive at the same time. How does that even happen? Give us traditional buttons all day long.
Poor Driver-Monitoring Systems
Are you a fan of driver-monitoring systems? No? Well, we don't blame you. The implentation of these features can be really poor in certain cars, tanking their reputation. That's a huge shame, as stuff like steering-assistance is quite useful when done right.
Forgetful Settings
When you input your preferred settings in your car, that should be the end of it. But oftentimes, that isn't the case! Some vehicles seem to reset everything at the start of each new journey. Why even offer you the chance to personalize stuff if it doesn't stick?
Power Boost
If you wanted to test your car's power in the past, then the accelerator pedal was the way to go. You didn't need to do anything else. Now, though? A lot more motors have power boost systems, enabled by pressing a button on the steering wheel. Is it a worthwhile addition? We're not so sure...
Hot Wireless Phone Chargers
Wireless phone chargers should be awesome features. Yet something often holds them back — they get way too hot! Due to the heat, your phone can stop charging and start to lose its battery again. Without some kind of cooling station or air vent, these chargers feel pointless.
Weak Roof Rails
If you're going on a road trip, roof rails can be extremely helpful. There's no need to overload the trunk when you've got these things. But not all roof rails are as strong as they appear. Some are actually quite weak, defeating the purpose.
Motorized Seat Belts
Yes folks, there was a time when motorized seat belts were indeed a thing. If you're shopping for a used car from the '80s or '90s, you might even stumbled across them. But boy, is this feature useless. It's more of a hassle than just fastening the seat belt yourself.
Engine Covers
Do engine covers look nice? Sure. But how often are you going to pop the hood and stare at them? After each journey? We doubt that! Plus, these covers can trap the heat generated by the engine, which is a major red flag.
Window Projection Devices
Our final entry is one for the future, folks. Window projection devices have been mooted by Continental recently. It's a tech feature that will enable you to access graphics and information from the side window via a screen projector. Why? That's a good question. We're not sure of the potential benefits either!
Through: Randy Stern / Wikimedia Commons