What Car Tech Actually Works?
New cars are loaded with tech, from touchscreens to automatic lights, but is it all useful? A Which? survey reveals what drivers find helpful and what they can live without.
Modern vehicles increasingly come equipped with a wide array of hi-tech features. But not all of these innovations are created equal. Some genuinely enhance the driving experience, while others might just be flashy extras.
To find out which features Which? members find unnecessary, we surveyed 1,216 people. Our findings revealed that heated steering wheels (79%), keyless ignition (66%), and touchscreens and heated seats (both 56%) were among the most frequently cited as superfluous.
In contrast, parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers, and automatic daytime running lights received a more positive reception from Which? members.
Below, we delve into the best and worst aspects of car technology based on member feedback, alongside insights from our cars expert, Dino Buratti, on which features are likely to improve your driving experience and those you might not need.
Touchscreens
More than half (56%) of the surveyed members considered touchscreens unnecessary, with some finding them distracting and difficult to use while driving. Many preferred physical buttons. However, 31% of respondents found touchscreens necessary, while 13% were unsure.
Earlier this year, Euro NCAP, a safety organization, advised manufacturers to reduce their reliance on touchscreens to maintain high safety ratings.
Our expert’s view: “While touchscreens can be useful, some systems are better than others. If you’re looking to buy a car with a touchscreen, it’s worth trying out the screen extensively to see if you can get used to it. Make sure you read our car reviews to see if our expert tests have noted any issues with the touchscreen.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Zoned Climate Control
Zoned climate control, which allows for different temperature settings in various areas of the car, was deemed unnecessary by 53% of those surveyed, while 36% thought it necessary and 12% were unsure.
Those who disliked the feature stated they preferred adjusting the temperature themselves and rarely needed different settings than their passengers. As one respondent put it: “It’s a car, not a plane.”
Our expert’s view: “Rear passengers may appreciate three- or four-zone climate control systems, but those in the front are unlikely to see the true benefits of a dual-zone system as the air flow of one side is likely to mix with the flow from the other side of the cabin.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Automatic Full Beams
Opinion was split on the usefulness of automatic full beams, a system that automatically switches between high and low beam headlights. Fifty percent considered them unnecessary, while 37% found them useful, and 13% didn’t know.
Those who disliked the feature mentioned that the lights could be slow to react, didn’t always detect pedestrians and cyclists, or that they preferred to control their lights manually.
Our expert’s view: “Automatic full beam systems can be useful, but they can be unreliable in their deployment. They can also irritate drivers of other cars that may be temporarily blinded by these systems.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Automatic Windscreen Wipers
Automatic windscreen wipers, which use sensors to detect rain and adjust wiper speed, garnered a more positive response, with 64% of respondents considering them necessary. Just under a third, however, thought them unnecessary, citing issues like inaccuracy.
Our expert’s view: “Automatic wipers can be very useful. But they can also be slow to react to changing rain speeds, which means you sometimes have to manually intervene to set the wipers at the correct speed.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Lane Sensors
Lane sensors, designed to help drivers stay in their lane, were deemed unnecessary by 53% of respondents, with approximately 33% finding them necessary, and 14% unsure. Some drivers expressed concerns about the safety of such systems. One respondent called for deactivation on rural roads, citing an incident where their steering wheel turned toward an oncoming lorry. Others found the system distracting, preferring to be responsible for lane keeping.
Our expert’s view: “The general idea of lane sensors is a good one but some systems are better than others. In fact, our tests have revealed serious concerns with the MG4’s lane assist technology.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Parking Sensors
Parking sensors received the most positive feedback, with 87% of respondents finding them necessary. Just 9% considered them unnecessary. They help drivers detect obstacles when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.
Our expert’s view: “Parking sensors are fitted to nearly all new cars. That’s not surprising, as they are a very useful feature given that most new cars have poor all-round visibility and are much larger than their forebears.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Keyless Ignition
Two-thirds of respondents said keyless ignition was unnecessary, with 23% finding it necessary. Concerns included a preference for traditional keys and potential security risks. Data suggests that keyless models are more susceptible to theft.
Our experts’ view: “Keyless entry systems may be convenient and hard to avoid, but they can make your car easier to steal than a car without a keyless system. We’d recommend investing in extra security precautions if you have a car with keyless entry.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Which? principal researcher Andy Laughlin recommends using a Faraday Bag to store keys to prevent relay theft.
Cruise Control
Cruise control, which maintains a constant speed set by the driver, was deemed a necessary tech feature by 51% of respondents, while 40% found it unnecessary, and 9% didn’t know. Some who found it unnecessary rarely used it.
Our expert’s view: “If you regularly drive for long distances on motorways or dual carriageways, cruise control can be a great help and is fitted to virtually all new cars. Adaptive cruise control, which adjusts your speed to match traffic around you, can be particularly useful.” – Which? cars expert Dino Buratti
Automatic Daytime Running Lamps
Automatic daytime running lamps were deemed necessary by 65% of the survey’s respondents, while 25% found them unnecessary. Those who were not fans called them a ‘waste of electricity’.
Frost Warning Light
The frost warning light, which alerts drivers to potentially icy or freezing conditions, was deemed necessary by 62% of respondents, while 30% thought it unnecessary.
Heated Steering Wheel
Heated steering wheels were deemed a luxury, not a necessity, by 79% of respondents. 15% thought they were necessary.
Our expert’s view: “There’s no doubt, some car brands do a better job with tech than others. That said, there aren’t many cars that forgo extra in-car tech altogether, which may annoy people who just want a basic car. When test driving any car, make sure you also test the tech. Ask the seller for guidance on anything you’re not sure about and make sure you don’t get talked into buying extra kit you’re unlikely to use. Read our car reviews and advice to arm yourself with the results of our independent test results on specific makes and models. If you’re not keen on having lots of tech in your car, it may be worth considering buying a used car. Make sure you find the best model for your budget by using our guide on how to buy the best used car. If you’re set on having a new car, it’s important to consider how easy it is to configure any settings to your own preferences, along with how easy it is for you to use.” – Dino Buratti, Which? cars expert
