Features once limited to high-end luxury models are now showing up in everyday, affordable cars, raising our expectations for this segment. Some focus on safety, while others enhance passenger comfort. Here are five such features that have now moved to mass-market models.
Head-up display
A head-up display is now offered in cars like the Maruti Baleno, Maruti Brezza, Toyota Hyryder and Tata Sierra. With roots in aviation, a head-up display shows information in the driver’s line of sight on the windscreen or a transparent panel so that visibility remains unaffected.
Ventilated seats
Models such as the Renault Kiger, Skoda Kylaq and Maruti XL6 offer ventilated seats at the front, while the Kia Syros takes it further with rear ventilated seats and a reclining function. To enhance passenger comfort, cars like the Tata Sierra and Mahindra XEV 9S even offer Boss Mode, which lets you adjust the front passenger seat to free up space at the back, while models such as the Toyota Innova Hycross come with ottomans – seat extensions on which you can rest your legs.
Passenger display
More carmakers are now adding a third screen alongside the central touchscreen and the driver display. In the mass-market space, the new Tata Sierra, Mahindra XEV 9e and XEV 9S offer a three-screen setup, something usually seen in expensive cars like the Mercedes EQS SUV and Porsche Cayenne Electric.
Gesture-controlled tailgate
Another feature that used to be exclusive to luxury cars is a gesture-controlled tailgate, which makes it easy to open the boot when your hands are occupied. Maruti Victoris, Tata Sierra, MG Windsor and MG Hector are a few cars that come equipped with it.
Acoustic vehicle alert system
The acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) alarms pedestrians to approaching electric or hybrid vehicles because they’re quieter than cars powered only by combustion engines. While the government has proposed making AVAS mandatory for these cars, models like the MG Comet, Hyundai Creta Electric, Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Innova Hycross already offer it.
