Must-Have Car Features for Families in Today’s Vehicles

Must-Have Features In A Car For Families – Mazda CX-90 3 Row SUV

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● 12 car features for families

 

Ask ten families what features their next car absolutely has to have, and you’ll get ten different answers. That’s because all families are wildly different. But what, in general, would be the most essential vehicle features for families, if you had to come up with a list? What are families looking for when they shop for their vehicles, and why?

Given that all families differ, this article will be lightly focused on families with one to four children aged from early childhood to teenage years. Here are some additional notes on what we did and did not consider:

● We did not focus on how many rows of seats you need, drive systems, or energy sources.

● We’ve intentionally not included any legally required safety system or equipment like electronic stability control, airbags, LATCH systems, backup cameras, etc.

● For the latter, if you’re considering a previously owned vehicle, it’d be wise to research whether your vehicle comes equipped with those “required” items, as they have been mandated at different model years.

Finally, keep in mind that many of the features we did land on appear on different cars — sometimes as options or on higher trim levels only, sometimes standard across the board, depending on the manufacturer — and can function quite differently depending on the vehicle within which you find them. Only a test drive or thorough sit-in will show which, if any, are right for your family.

Ultimately, most families want a vehicle that helps keep their family safe. With safety features being more a “given” than a “feature,” and as more active safety equipment becomes standard by regulation, it’ll be the variables between those systems and how they work that buyers like you focus on.

Here are a dozen features we think family drivers should look for.

 

12 of our favorite car features for families

As you read, keep in mind that many safety features rely on cameras and sensors that are located outside of your vehicle or inside glass. These can be compromised by dirt or weather, so make a point of learning what works and what doesn’t in certain conditions, and where the sensors are, so that you know when and how to keep them clean.

1. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

Blind spot monitoring, while not required, is increasingly common and adds a second set of “eyes” to the over-the-shoulder area that many drivers forget to check (or that is challenging to check due to visibility issues from their mirror or seating positions). Most BSM systems sound and/or show an alert if you signal and there’s a vehicle next to you.

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2. Smart Brake Support

Smart Brake Support is the name Mazda gives its automatic emergency braking (AEB) system. AEB systems will be required by law for all new light vehicles in 2029. AEB systems can apply the car’s brakes when its sensors detect an impending collision but no action on the part of the driver. In many cases, AEB is coordinated with forward collision warning and often includes a pedestrian detection system to provide warning and/or braking when an object or pedestrian is detected. 

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3. Adaptive Cruise Control

Using much of the same hardware and software on board for automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control allows you to set a speed to maintain during open road cruising. When encountering slower traffic, the adaptive cruise control can automatically slow the vehicle in order to help maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead, including down to a complete stop. This allows easier travel on roads where trucks may slow things down a bit, through construction zones, or during traffic snarls. To test if this system or others like it is right for you, look for adjustability (how far ahead will vehicles slow you down), smoothness, and whether or not it is or can be linked to speed limits, as detected by an in-car navigation system.

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4. Lane Keep Assist

Another driving aid, lane departure warning (LDW) and lane-keep assist (LDA) can sound a warning if you’re deviating from your lane of travel and apply steering assist to help keep the vehicle in a lane if the driver fails to act. Many systems allow for an “override” by steering, for when you may need to cross a lane marking for cyclists, pedestrian clearances, emergency response apparatuses, or construction detours.

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5. Driver Attention Alert and Monitoring

These systems are designed to recognize when distracted or inattentive driving may be happening and provide a warning to help the driver remain attentive. By monitoring the driver or control inputs, they can assess whether the driver is actively engaged.

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6. Automatic High-Beam Headlights

Drivers often don’t know when to use high-beam headlights or when to dim high-beams. Systems like the Mazda High Beam Control can illuminate the high-beam headlights when the forward-facing camera detects little-to-no light in ambient darkness, then revert to low-beams automatically when a vehicle is detected.

As usual, such systems are not a substitute for paying attention. They may be “fooled” by a dirty camera lens, snow, heavy rain, reflective road markings and signs, or illumination from streetlamps or bright traffic lights. In these instances, they may also not “see” a vehicle approaching a rise in the road.

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7. Automatic Power Folding Mirrors

Automatic power-folding mirrors are a convenient feature that eliminates the need to fold mirrors manually. When folded in, they can avoid being damaged in parking lots or on narrow streets. They also prevent the hassle of brushing against the mirrors — and smudging your jacket or sweater — when squeezing past your vehicle in tight spaces like garages. Typically, these mirrors fold in when the car is locked, rather than when it's turned off.

8. Easy Cargo Access

A lot of people shop for cargo area size when looking for their next vehicle, and we agree that’s a good thing (that’s why we made the Mazda CX-70 and Mazda CX-70 PHEV with about 40 cubic feet of cargo space (up to 75 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down). But a power liftgate makes it easier to access the large cargo area. It also allows you to close the liftgate without a bunch of rain or snow falling on you.

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Just remember to program the opening height if your garage ceiling is low, or if you’re shorter in stature. An available hands-free liftgate, as found on most CX-70 trims, means no need to press a button or remote when dropping in bags before loading the child seat.

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9. Apple CarPlay™ integration for your iPhone® and Android Auto™ Integration
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Although many vehicles come with native navigation and satellite radio, many consumers prefer using their phone’s familiar operating system, which can be activated by connecting their phone to one of the vehicle’s USB inputs. Many more prefer wireless integration, which comes standard on every Mazda CX-70 and Mazda CX-70 PHEV.

When taking your prospective vehicle on a test drive, always try out how easily, quickly, and reliably the system works with your phone (once paired), and how easy it is to see and use the infotainment center display (including in bright sun).

10. Wireless Phone Charging

Bluetooth® wireless connectivity has been a standard technology in cars for years, including on all current Mazda vehicles, but charging cables are often seen as just clutter these days, so the CX-70 also comes standard with wireless phone charging.

Here, in terms of functionality, you’re looking for easy access — a place where the passenger can still see the phone if they’re not using Apple CarPlay™ integration for your iPhone® and Android Auto™ Integration

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— and the ability to charge your phone.

11. Charging Ports and Outlets

For your other devices, having charging ports and outlets in your car allows you to keep technology powered on the go, ensuring you stay connected during long trips. They also provide convenience for passengers to charge their devices, which can make your journeys — particularly the longer ones — more comfortable for everyone.

The Mazda CX-70 comes with dual USB-C outlets in front and rear seats and offers an AC outlet on some models, so you can even bring, say, your blender for tailgating or camping.

12. Driving Fun

This “feature” isn’t found on any list, usually because it simply isn’t there. Whether it’s the Mazda CX-70, with its efficient inline six-cylinder turbo engine, AWD, and Kinematic Posture Control, or the CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid EV that delivers brisk performance through an electrified powertrain and excellent fuel economy, Mazda vehicles are simply fun to drive.

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Mazda: Vehicles the whole family can enjoy

The Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE® suite of safety technology can be found on all of our vehicles. It works so well that in February 2024, Mazda had several 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The CX-70 will appeal to any family looking for a stylish, comfortable SUV. Whether you choose a CX-70 Turbo or Turbo S model or the CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid EV, you’ll get an invigorating drive, safety features, and room for the family.

Ready to find a car for your family? Request a quote online and start building a list of potential vehicles for your next family adventure. Or find your local Mazda dealership and take some models on a test drive today.


This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Information herein is subject to change without notice and without Mazda incurring any obligations. Please review a variety of resources prior to making a purchasing decision. Visit Resource Center for more articles.