Top Features to Consider When Purchasing a New Vehicle

Buying a new car is a big decision and can often be a stressful one as well.

With so many different features to choose from, how do you know what features really matter?

Nearly 92% of Americans currently own at least 1 vehicle and those vehicle owners want more than ever before when purchasing a new car.

The truth is the right features can make a world of difference in your daily driving experience.

Safety features keep you and your family safer on the road, and other features can make your drive more enjoyable.

The good news is when you know what you need, it becomes easier to decide.

What You’ll Learn:

• Essential Safety Technologies
• Must-Have Tech Features
• Comfort & Convenience Options
• Fuel Efficiency Considerations

Safety First: The Top Safety Features to Look For

When buying a new vehicle safety is and should be at the top of your list of priorities.

There are some excellent modern safety technologies that can actually save lives and help prevent accidents.

The best part is that modern safety technology is more affordable than ever before, but not all safety features are created equal.

Understanding what matters most is important.

According to the latest automotive research, collision avoidance systems are a priority for 31% of consumers and 29% are interested in adaptive cruise control as their top safety priority when getting a new car or truck.

These features are in high demand because they actually work.

If you’re in the market for your next vehicle stop by your local Toyota dealers in Brisbane and check out all the latest safety technology packages.

Buying a new car from your local dealer is a great first step in the vehicle buying process.

You’ll have access to some of the best expert advice on the vehicles that make the most sense for your needs and your budget.

But what safety features should you actually be looking for?

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) This feature monitors the road ahead and automatically applies the brakes if it senses a potential collision and you don’t respond.

It’s one of the most effective safety technologies available today.

Blind Spot Detection Blind Spot Detection actually reduces lane-change crashes by 14% and is an absolute must have feature.

Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keep Assist These features help ensure you stay centered in your lane and warn you if you start to drift.

This is especially helpful on long highway drives where driver fatigue is more likely.

Adaptive Cruise Control Traditional cruise control is a thing of the past, today’s modern adaptive cruise control will maintain a safe following distance automatically.

Fuel Efficiency: Features that Save You Money

When you think about features you may not automatically think about fuel efficiency.

In fact, the vast majority of car buyers don’t consider this, but the fuel efficiency of your vehicle can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Choose the right features and you can seriously cut down on your fuel costs now and in the future.

Hybrid Technology Hybrid technology is one of the best options for great fuel efficiency around town without sacrificing power when you need it on the highway.

Turbocharged Engines Turbocharged engines offer a lot of power without taking up much space or sacrificing great fuel economy.

Eco-Driving Modes Eco-Driving modes are becoming standard in newer vehicles and can improve fuel economy by up to 30% when used properly.

Keyless Entry & Push Button Start Keyless entry and push button start may seem like simple features but no one wants to fumble with their keys again once they’ve had these features.

Comfort & Convenience: Must-Have Features

If you want to know what makes a good vehicle great it’s comfort features.

Comfort and convenience features are the things that can make every drive more enjoyable.

Features you might not initially consider but when you spend so much time in your vehicle these features are more important than you might think.

Climate Control Dual zone or tri-zone climate control allow multiple people in the vehicle to set their preferred temperature.

It’s a simple luxury feature but it can keep everyone happy and comfortable in the vehicle.

Heated & Ventilated Seats These features aren’t just about comfort; heated seats can help reduce back pain and ventilated seats can keep that nasty sweaty seat feeling at bay during hot summer days.

Power Adjustable Seats with Memory Save your seat position and make getting into and out of the vehicle easier, especially if you have multiple drivers.

Technology Features: What’s Worth Paying Extra For

Ok, so let’s talk technology.

The truth is cars these days are like mini smartphones on wheels.

But not all technology features are created equal and some can end up being a complete distraction.

Here’s the thing about modern technology features.

The best features add to the driving experience and don’t become a distraction.

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Integration These features are no longer considered a nice to have, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have now become a necessity for most vehicle owners.

Navigation Systems Sure, your smartphone can double as a GPS system but built-in navigation is just more reliable.

Wireless Charging Wireless charging is one of those features that you might not immediately think about but once you have it you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

360-Degree Camera Systems 360-degree camera systems are not only cool to look at they make parking and navigating tight spaces a breeze.

Warranty & Reliability: What to Look For

Here’s something that’s going to surprise you.

Reputation is important to 63% of consumers when buying a vehicle.

This is because reliability is important to your ownership experience and impacts costs over the life of the vehicle.

What do you look for when it comes to reliability and warranty coverage?

Comprehensive Warranty Coverage This is important because it shows the manufacturer has confidence in their products, we’re looking for at least 3 years or 60,000km basic warranty and 5 years or 100,000km powertrain warranty.

Manufacturer’s Track Record This is very important. Some manufacturers simply rank higher than others when it comes to long term reliability, as do specific models of vehicles.

Service Network Make sure you have convenient locations near you because even the most reliable vehicles need regular maintenance.

Resale Value: Keep It Depreciation Proof

Ok, so bear with me for a second.

Your new vehicle is an investment and taking some time to understand the features that help maintain its value over time is a smart money move.

The truth is not all features are created equal when it comes to keeping depreciation down.

Safety tech (always in demand)

Color (popular colors like white, black, silver and grey hold value better than unusual colors).

Leather Interior Leather is easier to clean and maintain.

AWD (All wheel drive has increasing demand in certain climates).

Steer Clear Of The Following Features That Can Hurt Resale Value

Custom modifications, unusual colors and any technology that quickly becomes out dated.

Making the Right Choice

Buying a new car is a big decision and one that should never be rushed.

Focus on what matters to you and your family and your ideal vehicle will become more clear.

Remember features that are absolutely essential to one person could be completely irrelevant to the next person.

It all comes down to priorities.

Start with safety.

Safety features are non-negotiable.

Then it comes down to features that can make your daily drive better.

Features like technology, comfort, and fuel economy are important.

Test drive vehicles with the features that interest you and trust your gut.

There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.

Bringing It All Together

So, what are the best features to look for when buying a new vehicle?

It really doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems.

Focusing on the basics of safety, practical technology, comfort, and fuel efficiency can help you make a purchase decision that you won’t regret.

Safety features keep you and your family safer on the road, and features like comfort and fuel economy make your drive better every day.

Start by making a list of features that are a must for your next vehicle.

Next, narrow your choices down to features that offer the best combination of safety, practicality, and value.

With a little thought and planning, you can find the perfect vehicle with all the features you love.

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