Fab Features: Clever, yet functional features
I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for cool features in cars. Whether they are creative, clever or just plain functional, I like it when an automaker goes above and beyond and creates something that hasn’t been done before.
This week’s Fab Features range from items that should be standard in every car of its kind to things that made me smile.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica third-row USB port
When I was at the the Chrysler Pacifica launch back in March, I had so many “a-ha!” moments. There were features throughout the vehicle that made so much sense from the easy-to-use Stow-N-Go to the available around-view monitor. But one of the features that really got me excited was probably the simplest: a USB charging port in the third row. Right? Super simple, but it makes all the sense in the world. If you have kids back there playing Pokemon Go while you’re driving to the store, they’re going to need that constant charge to keep their phone going to “catch ‘em all.”
The third-row USB port is standard starting at the Touring L Plus trim, and it’s available on the Touring L trim with the premium audio group. Base price for the Pacifica is $29,590, and the Touring L Plus model rings in at $38,890. The Touring L with the premium audio will cost $36,385.
2016 Honda Civic steering wheel audio control
I have made no secret of the fact that I detest the touch-screen volume slider on the new Honda vehicles. Loathe might actually be a more apt description. When my fingers are cold, they don’t seem to work with the screen, and I can never fine-tune the volume to where I want it without multiple stabs at the screen. So, when I discovered the audio thumbwheel on the new Honda Civic, I nearly danced with joy. Seriously. And I definitely spent a good half hour turning the volume up and then taking it back down. What I loved about it is that it has two methods of tuning the volume. You can actually depress the physical button to finely tune the volume up or down. Or, if you want to make a more broad volume change, you can just sweep your thumb over the ridged semi-circle, and voila! It has the same effect as giving a dial a big twist. I still hate the slider on the touch screen, but this steering wheel control is actually a viable alternative. Base price for a Honda Civic is $19,475.
Mini Cooper Clubman colored park assist rings
The Mini Cooper Clubman test vehicle had the Fully Loaded Package ($5,250), which included a lot of helpful parking aids, such as the rearview camera and park distance control. With that in mind, perhaps the colored park assist rings surrounding the infotainment monitor were a bit of overkill, but I liked them anyway. To me, it was one more way to make sure I kept the car safe from dings and dents. As you reverse into or out of a space, the rings change color (green, yellow and red) depending upon the proximity to any obstacle. It was one of those things that was in my periphery as I checked my mirrors, and as soon as the ring turned to yellow, I switched my eyeballs to the backup camera to fine-tune my rearward journey.
Base price for the Mini Cooper Clubman is $24,950. To get the park-assist features, at a minimum you’ll have to add the Technology Package with the Parking Assistant for total of $27,200.
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