3 Car Features That Are More Gimmick Than Gain
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Some car manufacturers are getting creative with add-ons, hoping that the latest gadget or sound effect will grab your attention. And while some of these features might sound exciting, they actually offer little value once you take the wheel.Â
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Here are three car features that just not worth your money.
Fake Engine NoisesÂ
The Dodge Charger Daytona EV was outfitted with fake engine noises designed to mimic a Hellcat Hemi V8 ICE. The sound the car makes could be considered deafening — akin to the sounds of a loud rock concert or a passenger jet at takeoff, according to Electrek.Â
Dodge’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust doesn’t rely entirely on digital sound design like other electric vehicles, according to Mopar Insiders. Instead, it uses a network of chambers mounted beneath the Charger Daytona that work with woofers and mid-range speakers to produce simulated exhaust tones. Those sounds are funneled through dual pipes that mimic a traditional gas-powered setup. The system blends digital audio with real acoustic tuning to create what Dodge describes as a more natural, engine-like sound for drivers.
Even so, it’s purely theatrical. Car buyers pay for a gimmicky effect that has nothing to do with performance.Â
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Built-In Karaoke Systems
Ford has added an in-car karaoke app to some of its vehicles, starting with the 2024 F-150 Lightning, Carscoops reported. The feature also comes in the Mustang Mach-E, Ford Explorer and several Lincoln models built for model year 2025.
The Stingray Karaoke app lets passengers choose from songs in 38 languages, with lyrics that appear on the center touchscreen, but it only functions when the vehicle is parked. Ford’s idea is that the feature will make vehicle charging time pass faster. When the car starts moving, however, the lyrics disappear for safety.Â
This is the kind of gimmicky feature that most drivers will probably rarely use after the novelty wears off.Â
Built-In Massage Seats and Scent Diffusers
Built-in massage seats, calming scent diffusers and a five-minute program, complete with images and relaxing music, sound more like a relaxing spa experience than features in your daily driver. However, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid Black Label is one of the models that offers such a package.Â
The problem: The car must be parked with the engine running to enjoy this five-minute experience, reported MotorTrend, and honestly, who has time for that?
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