What do I want from a car?

I have been driving cars for years. Different brands, different classes, different cities… After all these years, I realized that what I actually think about cars is not engine power, horsepower, range, or fuel consumption. For me, the real question is much simpler: Is a car truly smart?

If you ask me today, “What kind of a car do you want?”, my answer will not be whether it is electric or gasoline-powered. I would not put any of these at the top of the list. For me, the most important feature is the vehicle's ability to truly drive itself. Autonomous driving is no longer the future of the automobile; it is a fundamental feature that it should possess today. I believe that a car that does not have an AI capable of understanding the road, traffic, and its surroundings at an FSD level is incomplete, no matter how powerful its engine may be. It could be electric, gasoline, or hybrid. All of these remain secondary.

Automobile manufacturers have entered a screen race in recent years. A screen on the front console, a screen in the back, a screen on the door… Soon they will almost put a screen on the steering wheel too. I, on the other hand, am thinking about something else. Where will the airbags come out in the event of a collision? I do not find an approach that puts safety on the back burner for the sake of giant screens to be correct. A car is not an amusement park console. It should protect the human first, then entertain.

One of the details we use most in daily life is the cup holder. Despite this, it is still one of the worst-designed sections. Today we have Stanley thermoses, mugs of different sizes, capsule coffee cups. If I cannot put the mug I use into the cup holder, that cup holder has no meaning. It should be able to adapt to different diameters, stabilize the drink, and if possible, keep its temperature. I do not want to put water in the door pocket. A cup holder should be truly designed to carry cups.

I also think manufacturers are focusing on the wrong point regarding music systems. I do not want speakers that blare loudly. I want hi-fi. When I listen to music in the car, I want to hear not just the rhythm, but the notes as well. A good sound system is not one that plays loud, but one that plays clean.

The back seat can no longer be designed with a “good enough” mentality either. There should be independent ventilation in the back, and if possible, a four-zone climate control. Everyone should be able to set their own temperature. USB ports should also be standard equipment, not a luxury. I do not find it right for the front to be a technology showcase while the back is forgotten.

Regarding design, I think the automotive world has entered an unnecessary race of ostentation. Ambient lights, patterns on the ceiling, logos, icons… Even Rolls-Royce’s starlight headliner seems unnecessary to me. Even though I am someone who likes Rolls-Royce very much, I do not think this feature means anything. I do not want to see stars on the ceiling. The roof should let in enough daylight when necessary, cut off the light completely when I don't want it, and if possible, contribute to ventilation. Function is important, not decoration.

My expectation regarding seats is also clear. Cloth seats should be a thing of the past. It can be real leather or artificial leather; what matters to me is that it gives the feeling of leather. But this alone is not enough. The seat should not make you sweat. For this, it must have a breathable structure. A seat that feels like leather but does not breathe is not successful.

Seat heating, in my opinion, is one of the most unnecessary fashion trends in the automotive world. Most of the cars I have used for about twenty years had seat heating. Honestly, I don't even remember how many times I used it. When I look around, I see that the number of people using it is not very high either. In contrast, seat cooling is a real necessity. You realize its value especially when you get into a car that has been waiting under the sun in the summer months.

Climate change is now an issue that directly affects car design. If there is a child, dog, or any other living being inside while the vehicle is parked outside, the car should be able to ensure their safety. Likewise, I do not want the seats to burn my whole body when I get into the vehicle. A car should no longer be just a machine that moves; it should be a living space that protects those inside when necessary.

That is why sedan cars no longer make as much sense to me as they used to. In the past, being close to the ground had an aerodynamic advantage. Today, speed limits are clear, and vehicles in the SUV or crossover class can easily reach these speeds. On the other hand, roads are constantly being dug up, rebuilt, and deteriorating. Heavier rains are falling, more intense snow is seen, and asphalt wears out faster. A car that is a bit higher off the ground is much more logical both on these rough surfaces and in daily use.

Moreover, it is not just about the road. Getting in and out of the car is also important. I had a Lamborghini Countach experience. Although it is a car I admire, I realized that it is not suitable for daily use. Getting in and out is a chore in itself. A lighter version of this is experienced in sedan cars. You are constantly sitting by bending over, getting up by bending over. I want a natural seating position in a car, like sitting on a chair. I think long-distance comfort starts here too.

Wheel selection is also important for this reason. I am not talking about the ostentation of large rims. I want tires with the right sidewall height that can overcome rough ground more easily, and a comfortable suspension system. Because real life is not just about the perfect asphalt in catalogs.

As a result, the car I want is not the car with the most features. It is the car with the right features. A car that can drive itself, puts safety ahead of ostentation, understands daily life, has truly useful cup holders, offers a hi-fi sound system, does not forget the back seat, uses seats with a breathable leather feel, takes the realities of climate change into account, does not tire the person on rough roads, and is easy to get in and out of…

Manufacturers are still trying to sell catalogs. I don't want a catalog.

I want intelligence.

Note: If car brands that have a model matching these features contact me, I intend to announce them.