Modern cars are stuffed with technology, but somewhere along the way, automakers forgot to ask: Do people actually need this? Between overengineered cupholders and touchscreen climate controls that require a PhD to operate, it’s time to call out the most ridiculous features that should’ve been left on the drawing board.
1. Gesture-Control Infotainment Systems
Because nothing screams “intuitive” like twirling your finger in the air like a wannabe Harry Potter just to change the radio station. Spoiler alert: it never works on the first try, and you’ll end up flipping people off accidentally while adjusting the volume.
2. Fake Engine Noises
Ah yes, because when I bought an electric car, what I really wanted was the digitized sound of a V8 piped through the speakers. Nothing beats driving a silent, eco-friendly vehicle that sounds like a ‘67 Mustang trapped in a video game.
3. Massaging Seats That Feel Like a Gremlin Punching Your Spine
Luxury brands love to brag about their “therapeutic” massaging seats, but in reality, they feel like a small, angry robot trying to pick a fight with your vertebrae. You’ll spend more time turning it off than enjoying it.
4. Touchscreen EVERYTHING
Remember when you could just twist a knob to change the A/C temperature? Now, you have to navigate through seven touchscreen menus while praying you don’t rear-end someone just to turn the fan speed up.
5. Overcomplicated Gear Selectors
Some manufacturers took one of the simplest car functions and thought: How can we make this incredibly annoying? The result? A mix of buttons, dials, and even touchscreens (looking at you, Tesla), ensuring you’ll never know if you’re in Drive, Reverse, or about to send a distress signal.
6. Mood Lighting with 64 Color Options
Sure, it’s cool… for the first 10 minutes. Then, you realize you’ll never actually need to change your interior to “Mystic Teal” while sitting in traffic.
7. Self-Parking Systems That Take Longer Than Doing It Yourself
Parallel parking is stressful, but watching your car spend three minutes overanalyzing every curb before slowly backing into the wrong spot is worse. By the time it’s done, you could’ve parked, grabbed a coffee, and checked your emails.
8. Wi-Fi Hotspots That Barely Work
Advertised as a “game changer” for road trips, but in reality, the car’s Wi-Fi is just strong enough to load half of a YouTube video before it buffers into oblivion. Don’t these systems just use cellular connections anyway?
9. Built-In Fragrance Dispensers
Mercedes-Benz thought we needed our car to smell like a high-end department store at all times. Meanwhile, a $2 air freshener from the gas station does the same thing without requiring a monthly fragrance subscription. Although the Hollister generation is now car buying age, so no surprises here.
10. Cappuccino Machines in Cars
Some luxury brands thought: You know what drivers need? A cappuccino machine built into the dashboard! Because there’s no better time for frothing milk than while making a left turn at 40 mph. This is an extreme example in ultra-high-end vehicles, but how will you be able to flex your fancy car if you never have to visit a Starbucks again?
Modern cars are incredible, but automakers seem obsessed with adding features nobody actually needs. What’s the most ridiculous feature you’ve seen in a car? Let us know in the comments!
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