Essential Features Every Car Should Have as Standard

As someone who has driven a fair share of cars (mostly old and some new), I strongly believe that carmakers need to stop treating certain safety and comfort features as luxuries reserved for higher variants.

Our roads throw all kinds of challenges at us, including heavy rains, foggy winters, potholes, and chaotic traffic. Every new car sold in India should come with a solid set of standard features that protect families and make daily driving more convenient and less stressful.

Here is a list of must-have features, I feel, are a necessity to have in every car.

6 Airbags

Six airbags should be non-negotiable in every car today. Front, side, and curtain airbags can make a huge difference in a crash.

Slowly, leading makers like Tata and Mahindra are bringing them across more models, but many budget cars still lag behind.

In my opinion, this is one area where there should be no compromise, even in entry-level variants.

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Blind Spot Monitoring

This is a valuable safety feature that every car should have. It warns the driver when another vehicle is in their blind spot, especially useful during lane changes in heavy traffic or on highways.

In our crowded Indian conditions, this can prevent many side collisions.

TPMS

A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is another simple but life-saving addition.

Punctures, under-inflated and over-inflated tyres are common in India, thanks to our to unpredictable road conditions and scorching heat.

TPMS alerts you about each tyre's pressure and temperature, so you can take action immediately and avoid a potential blowout.

Fastened Seatbelts Necessary to Drive 

I love what Tata did with the new Sierra. It has this smart feature where the car does not move properly if the driver has not fastened the seatbelt, as the electronic parking brake stays engaged until you buckle up.

This forces good habits and prevents rollaways. More cars should adopt similar intelligent reminders or interlocks.

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Height Adjustment for Seats

Height-adjustable driver seats should come standard. Not everyone is the same height, and this feature helps find the perfect driving position for almost everyone.

An ideal driving position can reduce fatigue on long trips and improves control as well.

Tilt and Telescopic Adjustment for Steering Wheel

In addition to seat height adjustment, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment is another feature that helps you find an ideal driving position, and should also be standard.

It allows drivers of different sizes to set the wheel at a comfortable and safe distance and angle. Moreover, the steering being too close to your body could also be dangerous in the unfortunate event of a crash, as the front airbags deploy faster than a human eye can blink.

The presence of this feature makes a big difference in reducing strain during city commutes and ensuring safety during highway runs.

Adjustable Headrests for Rear Seat Passengers

For rear passengers, adjustable headrests for at least the two outer seats are essential. If a car has three-point seatbelt for the middle seat, it must get a proper headrest as well.

Whiplash injuries can be fatal, and we cannot ignore back seat occupants anymore.

Cornering Lamps

Cornering lamps are a boon for night drives, especially on poorly lit rural roads or hill stations.

They light up the path when you turn the steering, helping spot pedestrians, animals, or obstacles early.

Rear Wiper and Washer with Defogger

The absence of these in a car, especially if it does not even have a defogger, would be a deal-breaker for me.

I never understood why many companies push these to mid or top trims. In our winters and during heavy rains, the rear glass fogs up quickly, making reversing or driving in traffic risky.

Hats off to Skoda for offering rear wiper and defogger as standard in the recently facelifted Kushaq.

Also Read - 2026 Skoda Kushaq Every Variant Explained
 

Electrically Adjustable ORVMs

Electrically adjustable ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors) are another must. One of our previous family cars missed out on this, and did not even have a manual toggle adjuster, which always used to get inconvenient and annoying.

Quick electric adjustment from the driver's seat saves time and keeps your focus on the road.

Rear AC Vents

Rear AC vents are equally important for comfort. Indian summers can be scorching, and proper cooling in the rear seats keeps all passengers comfortable.

It also helps the driver stay focused without constant complaints from the rear!

Why These Features Should Be Standard

I don't consider these features fancy extras, as they are basic requirements for safe and comfortable drives.

Many developed countries already mandate several of them. In India, with growing car sales and diverse road conditions, manufacturers must step up. Instead of large sunroofs that are useless in our country, they should offer features that actually add value.

As a car owner, I want peace of mind every time I sit behind the wheel. It is not too much to ask that every car comes ready to keep its occupants safe and comfortable.

Image Credits: Hyundai India