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The only thing I really can't live without is power windows. I rented a 09 KIA RIO and it was so annoying to roll down the windows on the passenger side.
Also a heater/defroster but those have been on cars since the 20s so I don't consider them modern.
A stereo head or integrated system with a USB dock is also becoming something I can't live without.
Mercedes-Benz is the king of worthless gimmick features.
My 06 CLS55 AMG had: Parktronic, Disatronic, heated seats, cooled seats, massage seats, adjustable air bladders in the seats, lane warning mirrors, reverse cam, power rear sunshade, integrated navigation, dual zone climate control, dehumidifier, 12 way memory seats, steering wheel controls for the command system, active curve illumination bi xenon headlights with deicers, Sirius radio (I do miss Octane and Lithium), voice activated calling, Push button start, remote start, key card thing that you don't even need a key, if you held down the unlock button in rolled down all the windows and if you hit it again it would open the moon roof. Runflat tires, TMPS, P030 goodies. the sticker for the cars options went on for 3 pages I had a 3 page window sticker.
I never used any of that crap but about 2 times.
I don't have that car anymore and I don't miss any of those "features."
Another "useless" feature I'm finding hard to live without are one-touch close on all four windows. Most cars have one touch down on driver side, and maybe one touch up also on same window. Love one touch up and down on all four windows.
In Colorado we get isolated storms so one second you're driving with all four windows open enjoying the breeze and suddenly come across a heavy rain thunderstorm. 2 seconds to flick the windows and they all close instantly.
I've driven a few cars with this and cannot, for the life of me, understand the allure. Is it really that hard to insert a key and turn it? I mean seriously, you're pushing with one finger instead of turning two, maybe three fingers. Now power windows I get, and quite honestly I would add them to my list (along with AC) of things I couldn't live without, but having power windows is a distinct advantage, especially when you want to control windows other than your own while driving. Push button start is for people who want to feel like Vin Diesel every time they start their Civic The irony is that when push button start first started being offered it was a novelty. Now every new car has it.
Aux jack or bluetooth iphone integration so I can jam to Songza, Apple Music, Pandora, or my own stuff stored on the phone.
Carrying around CD's is a pain & listening to the radio is just torture. I remember when radio used to be good in the 80's & 90's. You'd hear 45-50 minutes of music on average & maybe 10-15 min of commercials per hour. Since radio is not as popular nowadays they need more advertising revenue. Now you hear about 25 minutes of music per hour and 35 minutes of commercials. Forget even listening in the AM, every station has some morning show where you get to listen to someone blab for 25 minutes, then you have 25 minutes of commercials and then maybe 2 or 3 songs the whole hour.
My 1939 Ford coupe had "push button start".
If I could have any car I wanted, it would be a rebuilt/restored 1954 Hudson convertible with "Twin H Power" (the straight 8 would be OK, too), 3 speed manual tranny with overdrive, and good 4 point seat belts/shoulder harnesses.
Of course, it would have to be converted to 12 volts for modern stereo, but that is easy.
There really isn't much a modern vehicle has that I consider truly necessary. Maybe that is why everything in my "stable" is 2006 or older.
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After driving modern cars, what features could you not live without
The irony is that when push button start first started being offered it was a novelty. Now every new car has it.
