[Nilesh5417]

Besides the ones already listed (cruise control, dead pedal, backlit switches, auto dimming oven, steering mounted controls, keyless entry....), here is my list from what I truly use /would look for -
Wireless Android auto, one touch lane change indicator function, rear usb port, usable coffee cup holder at the front, door pockets that can take water bottles, seat pockets at the back of front seats to hold files/news papers, rear ac vents, decent sized and padded sunglass holder, folding rear seats (split), decent boot space, rear window blinds (nice to have tho incredibly useful)!

[torquecurve]

For me
Must Haves -
- Good Body Shell (Safety)
- Decent Dynamics (Driving/ Comfort)
- Safe Tyres (Grip/ Safety)
- Engine with minimal electronics (Reliability/ Go Anywhere ability)
- Interior Space (Cars are Primarily family movers in India)
- Buttons to control the systems - Keeps your eyes on the road
- Decent music system
- Safety features (. All the 2/3/4 alphabet words)
- Minimal electronics (connected cars aren’t my thing)
- Capable cruiser (good high speed manners)
- Quick acceleration ( not top speed)
- Abuse friendly nature

Everything else - Sunroofs, seat covers etc are IMHO - not really required

[RoadMonkey]

Originally Posted by torquecurve

For me
Must Haves -
- Good Body Shell (Safety)
- Decent Dynamics (Driving/ Comfort)
- Safe Tyres (Grip/ Safety)
- Engine with minimal electronics (Reliability/ Go Anywhere ability)
- Interior Space (Cars are Primarily family movers in India)
- Buttons to control the systems - Keeps your eyes on the road
- Decent music system
- Safety features (. All the 2/3/4 alphabet words)
- Minimal electronics (connected cars aren’t my thing)
- Capable cruiser (good high speed manners)
- Quick acceleration ( not top speed)
- Abuse friendly nature

Everything else - Sunroofs, seat covers etc are IMHO - not really required

I would like to add another necessary "feature" which I think should become the norm for 8L+ cars - Tinted UV cut windows. In a hot and humid country likes ours, where sun film is illegal, this goes a long way in keeping it cooler when parked under sun and keeps harmful UV rays outside when you're driving.

Other than that, fully agree. A car needs to be a car, not a gadget. This increasing trend of gadgetifying the car is also leading to it having the realibility and longevity of a gadget.

[Kosfactor]

From a driver`s perspective for someone who prefers to do the driving himself.

Must have features in no particular order.

1. Good pickup.
2. Good gearbox.
3. Good seats & tall seating.
4. Large tires.
5. Bright headlights.
6. Loud Horn.
7. Strong brakes - ventilated, slotted if possible.
8. Good ground clearance & optional 4WD.
9. Big tank range.
10. Nice big mirrors.
11. Seat belts.
12. Powerful AC.

Nice to have feature\s.
1. Stereo system.
2. Phone holder with wireless charging where I can see and operate it.

Thats about it.

[bhp_maniac]

The OP has already mentioned all the important points. Adding a couple of points I absolutely want to have going forward apart from the list already mentioned.

1) One touch up-down for all windows with anti-pinch
2) Cruise control

Apart from these, a wireless charger would be nice to have especially considering the fact that Android auto & Apple car play are going to be completely wireless sooner or later.

On a side note, I couldn't agree more with the "Internet inside" rant on the 1st page Every time I see an MG roaming around with that badge, it gets my brown face red

[VigneshMC]

Must Have:
1. Android Auto/Car play
2. Reverse cam (With adaptive guidelines ) with sensors
3. Auto dimming rear view mirror
4. Steering mounted controls
5. Seat belt reminders for co-drivers

Not so likable features :
1. Auto AC
2. Push button start
3. Auto parking
4. Connected car

[kadanaJ]

I'm a fairly no frills kinda guy. But the following are features I just can't live without, enough to sway my purchase decision.

Features pre-installed from the factory
1. Safety features (minimum ABS + airbags. Beyond that, the more safety features the better. Traction control, ESP, EBD, rear wiper if a hatch, etc.)
2. Tilt and Telescopic steering (cars with telescoping steering are rare in the budget category. Shout out to the Maruti Baleno and VW Polo for having it).
3. Driver seat height adjustment
4. Comfortable dead pedal
5. Electrically adjustable and foldable mirrors
6. Powered windows and central door lock
7. Tachometer (should be standard in every manual car, IMO)
8. Air-conditioning (why am I even mentioning something so obvious)

Features I will add aftermarket if they don't come stock
1. Drivers armrest
2. Parking sensors + reversing camera
3. Good speakers
4. Bluetooth head-unit (I have Android Auto. It isn't all it's cracked up to be. Bluetooth for music + a sturdy mobile holder does the same job)

Features I consider gimmicks
1. Sunroof (I know many people with sunroofs leaking or giving other issues after a few years. Seems more of a headache than a feature)
2. Push-button start (literally see zero value addition)
3. Cruise control (I have rarely found a road on which I can use this feature. Adaptive cruise control on the other hand, would be a game-changer)

Features I want to see in the future
1. Full Self Driving with the option for driver to take over when desired (I dream of letting the car crawl through traffic on its own, and when the road empties out a bit, then I take the wheel)

[cryptarchy]

It’s easy for me.

1. Crash test rating >= 4 star
2. Steering rake and reach adjustment
3. Driver’s seat height adjustment
4. Adjustable head rest on all seats
5. Minimum two airbags
6. Rear windshield wiper
7. Dead pedal
8. Rear parking sensors

[asm3899_CHD]

Some of the features that I find very useful are-
1. Push Start Button and Keyless entry.
2. Rear parking camera along with front and rear parking sensors.
3. Good Audio Quality and infotainment system with android auto and apple carplay
4. Wireless Charger ( although I dont own a wireless compatible phone yet).
5. One touch up-down for all the windows.
6. Auto Dimming rear view mirror.
7. Tire pressure monitoring system.
8. Electronic driver seat adjustment with memory function.

[Babruvahanaaaaa]

Must Have Features (in no particular order) :

1.Auto dimming IRVM
2.TPMS
3.Lane watch camera (like the Seltos) or 360-degree at least.
4.Six airbags, ABS, EBD, TCS, ESP, 4 Disc brakes.
5.Highly supportive seats with Lumbar Support adjustment.
6.Panoramic sunroof. I love light.
7.High GC.
8.Tilt and Telescopic steering.
9.Android Auto/Apple carplay (primarily for Google Maps)
10.One-touch up-down function for all power windows. Long press
lock /unlock button to raise /lower them would be sweet.
11.Diamond cut /Dual tone alloy wheels.
12.Powerful LED/HID headlamps. As I said, I love light.
13.Slick infotainment touchscreen with hard buttons for power and volume control.
14.Automatic HVAC. Have it in my current car, can't go back.
15.Cruise control.
16.Ventilated seats.I'm spoilt by them after using them in friends'
cars.
17.Good music system with emphasis on the mid tones. Bass heavy
is a nono in cars.
18. Drive modes.

[kamilharis]

I keep it simple always whenever I evaluate the feature set.

Apart from the basic safety features including the Airbags, TPMS & others, my list of required "feature" set includes :

1. 4 door PW with 1 touch up/down for driver side.
2. Seat adjustments for front seats (manual is fine too)
3. 8"+ ICE (A. Auto & A.Carplay not necessary) in a 4+2 speaker setup
4. Reverse camera with 4 sensors.
5. Rear AC Vents
6. Good quality fabric or Leatherette on seats

Give me a car well priced with this combination, I will throw in a good set of alloy wheels from my side and I am happy!

[pradeep_mvpa]

I currently drive an i10 Era 2009 model.

I miss following features in this car -
1. Android auto HU. I use smartphone for google maps while driving, but having it available on a bigger screen is a better option.
2. Auto dimming IRVM
3. Fog lamps
4. Intermittent speed in wiper. Hyundai thinks this feature is premium
5. Rear camera and sensors
6. Tachometer
7. Average fuel consumption display
8. All safety features
9. Hate the all beige dashboard and it's reflection on windshield

It does not come with rear power windows, but I don't miss that feature much.

[joelstephen]

My most fun trips have been in shared Sumos (Often pronounced as "Somu" by locals) in Kashmir and Ladakh. Driving through snow, black ice, mud, rocks and dirt... Driving across mountain passes, across rivers, reversing long distances because the road was too narrow for two cars to cross each other... I'm not talking about the 90s or the early 2000s, most of this was in 2018 and 2019.

Another great experience was driving a friend's 15 year old averagely maintained alto in Uttrakhand! It made me realise that what I liked was not fancy cars with features, but the fun in simple machines across unforgiving terrain...

When people in large cities think of going to Ladakh they think of getting a 4WD. Isuzu, Pajero, Fortuner, Endeavour, et al is what comes to their mind... There are many locals and fellow TBhp members who have enjoyed these places with machines with simple mechanicals, like scooters, bicycles, M800, 100cc bikes

While I think features are great, I think there's a lot of fun without them as well. Example - Hill assist takes the fun out of hill driving. Automatics don't always behave well on slopes and hard terrain. Safety features like Airbags do help a lot! But some features just make us lazy and some strip drivers of skills..

This is entirely personal preference.

[alexpaul]

For me these are must have Features (Top Five are must:

1) 4 or more Crash Test star rating
2) ABS with EBD , Traction Control and ESP
3) TPMS
4) Auto Dimming IRVM
5) Lumbar Support for Front Seats
6) Auto A/C with Climate Control
7) Backlit switches
8) Tilt and Telescopic steering
9) Drive Modes
10) Remote Boot Release / Kick Action Boot Release
11) Ventilated Seats
12) Tinted UV cut Glass
13) LED lights
14) Arm Rest with slider functionality
15) Cooled glove box / Arm Rest
16) Air Purifier
17) Auto Folding external mirrors
18) Android Auto/ Apple Carplay Audio system (JBL / HARMAN)

[car_guy1998]

According to me, the must have features in my next car would be,

1. Apple Carplay/ Android Auto, which is missing in our present cars, i.e, 2014 City and 2011 Innova

2. 6 airbags with additional safety features like ESP, HSA, TC and others

3. 360-degree camera, which I felt most important during tight parking situations

4. Front parking sensors

5. Ventilated seats, which I find it useful during summer

6. Tire Pressure Monitoring System

7. Sunroof