Channel2000.com - Top 10 Features for Commuter Cars

Top 10 Features for Commuter Cars

By Liz Kim
Photos by Scott Jacobs

Here's an interesting statistic: In 1997 traffic delays totaled 4.3 billion hours in America. Why, that's just about the amount of time that last year's Oscars broadcast ran over schedule! Seriously, a commute (and usually one that's marred by traffic) is an indelible part of most people's lives, and by estimates, time spent in traffic will only grow lengthier as the years progress.

Better get yourself a car that's going to make the commute as pleasant as possible. Sometimes, that means foregoing certain features that make a car "fun," because they don't translate well to a car that's practical on a day-by-day basis in bumper-to-bumper traffic, to and from work. The most illustrative example is a convertible. Of course, life offers few sweeter rewards than riding in a sexy drop top with your sweetie on a warm summer night, but you'll probably be cursing that same roadster when you're stuck in 8 mph traffic with a diesel 18-wheeler in front of you and the relentless sun bearing down on your pate.

That doesn't mean, however, that a vehicle shouldn't be able to provide you with a comfortable, pleasant ride. As auto wonks, we not only have to deal with the daily ride to and from work (ranging from one mile to 120 miles round trip), we also take test drives, which comprise a significant part of our workweek. As such, we've become intimately acquainted with the features that help in a dreary commute. We recently surveyed various editors as to which they consider to be the most significant. Here are 10 that we look for in cars we evaluate; we think you should consider them as well.

Comfortable seats — Nearly every editor placed comfortable seats on top of their list. This is certainly subjective, as variations in the human body require different forms for optimal comfort.
Some like side bolstering; some find it confining. Some like a lot of lumbar support; others feel that it can be obtrusive. An adjustable lumbar support is always a boon. A center console that doubles as an armrest is lovely during long stretches. Power controls are always good - they allow you to adjust the seat while you're driving, rather than having to stop the car. A height adjuster is often crucial, but some manufacturers insist that one size fits all, such as in the Ford Ranger. We always downgrade a vehicle for lacking this simple, helpful feature. Firm cushion or soft? Leather or cloth? Up to you. And of course, a comfortable seat means nothing if you have long legs, and the seat doesn't scoot back far enough to accommodate them. The important thing here is to drive the car before you buy it; it's the only way to know if you can find a good driving position.
Automatic transmission — Nine out of every 10 cars sold in the U.S. are equipped with an automatic tranny. Let's face it — they're just easier to drive. Operating a car with an automatic gearbox also has its charms; you don't have to deal with a clutch, and you can keep both hands on the wheel in stop and go traffic. Certain vehicles do have excellent trannies that deliver seamless shifts at exactly the right points. And who really finds parallel parking into a tight spot on the hills of San Francisco a treat when a third pedal is involved? Two main reasons for driving a car equipped with a manual transmission loom - economic necessity (auto trannies average a grand more than manuals, and usually get worse gas) or driving enthusiasm, for manual trannies allow more involvement and control in what is already an enjoyable task, given the proper circumstances. If you do opt for a manual, look for a car with a tall first gear and sufficient low-end torque to crawl through traffic without having to shift too often.
HVAC system — Whether you're stuck behind a Peterbilt or passing by the Anheuser Busch processing plant (if you only knew the stench your Bud emits before transforming into that amber nectar...), you'll want to be shielded from the hazards of our modern environment.
We're rather partial to the kind with an airborne particulates filter and dual climate controls, such as in luxury marques like Lexus or the even the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Beyond that, we feel that air conditioning is a must, even on lower-scale cars. We recommend that you pop whatever ducats necessary for a system with strong, effective climate control.
Visibility — Who here hasn't accidentally almost sideswiped a car while making an unadvised lane change? Most convertibles we've tested proved to have horrendous rearward visibility when the top is up. Some features that improve visibility are a thin A-, B- and C-pillars, complemented by large side-view mirrors. We're constantly badgering Dodge products, such as the Intrepid, Neon and Durango for their excessively chubby A-pillars. For many, a big chunk of the reason that they prefer SUVs is for their high seating position that allows them an unfettered view over the roof of the car in front of them. Of course, this will be thwarted on that inevitable, cataclysmic day when every chump in America will be driving an SUV.
Good stereo system — Who can account for individual tastes in music? After all, one man's Jethro Tull is another's Eminem - or the other way around. In any case, it's nice to be able to switch off the effluvium that is the modern day "morning personality" and drift off to the soothing sounds of "Close To You" to reduce your heart rate. We're personally big fans of in-dash six-disc CD changers, which allow you to switch from one disc to another without having to take your eyes off the road. Steering wheel-mounted controls further allow you to concentrate on the task of driving. Of course, you can personalize your stereo in the aftermarket arena.
Controlled NVH — Cars like the Acura Integra Type R or the Toyota Celica GT-S are a riot when canyon carving on your favorite twisty road. However, you must decide if you really want to deal with the noise, harshness and vibration that come from these pocket rockets day in and day out. When test driving, note the amount of engine noise, and the level of vibration the motor emits. Liquid-filled engine mounts, like those found in the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, really make a difference in this respect. Also, be aware of the wind noise bouncing off of the mirrors, A-pillars or the windshield. For those who want the effect of riding in a bubble, to eschew all those potholes that the road crews never seem to get to, a softly sprung suspension setup will be the most comfortable and isolating. Again, most cars are a compromise between providing a sporty suspension system and a compliant ride. Only a handful of makes provide both - the Volkswagen Passat is a sterling example.
Good fuel economy — Along with the 4.3 billion hours of wasted time, we collectively waste 6.6 billion gallons of fuel while languishing away in traffic. This not only affects your pocketbook, it negatively affects fuel prices, and in a larger context, the national economy, as well as the environment. If most of your driving will be done in a crowded, urban area, how about considering a vehicle with a hybrid powerplant, such as the space pod-like Honda Insight or the eminently livable Toyota Prius? Upcoming hybrids include the Ford Escape. Many "normal" cars now have the ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV) rating, so look for these vehicles if you possess an iota of guilt about ruining the planet.
Amenities around the cabin — Damn it, just where did I put that parking pass? Wouldn't be a problem if you had a visor strap. The afternoon sun is in my eye, just out of the visor's shade! No prob - just pull out the visor extenders. Hold on, Mr. Toll Booth Operator, let me get my coins out of this handy dandy cubby that holds all my change. Sunglasses? Right there in the overhead compartment. Oops, I stopped really hard! No worries, the sturdy, well-designed cupholder didn't spill any of the mocha latte over the upholstery. These are just some of the features available in what we consider to be one of the most thoughtful cars around, the Honda Accord. Little extra touches go a long way in endearing a car to its owner.
Two powerpoints and a hands-free voice-activated phone system — A long, long time ago in a faraway land, people used to get into to their cars to...gasp...drive. Many things have changed since then, and these days, people seem to jump into cars to do anything but drive - rather, the modern automobile has been transformed into a hairdresser, restaurant, workstation, makeup counter, etc. Ah, well, at least some amenities exist that will facilitate multitasking. For instance, two powerpoints in the dash (some cars have one in the center console) will allow you to charge a mobile phone as well as a laptop battery. And let's not forget the original power accessory, the radar detector. A hands-free voice-activated phone system lets you broker a deal without earning baleful glances from other drivers who earnestly believe that you're a menace to society for yakking while driving.
Structure of the vehicle — If you haul plywood for a living, well, you're probably among the few who actually need to drive an SUV. But if the only cargo in a car is yourself and a briefcase, you probably don't need a BIG-ARSE truck, just because everyone else is driving one. A car with a tidy exterior size is easier to maneuver, park, and slip in and out of holes in traffic. Also, don't forget about bumpers that can withstand low-speed impacts with little damage; running to the body shop every time you misjudge the distance between your front bumper and the car parked in front of you is not, in our opinion, the best use of one's time.

And, of course, we can't forget the little doodads that keep you amused while idling. Fuzzy dice is a popular one. We're also still waiting for the day that we can have TBS piped into the on-board entertainment system. All "Saved By The Bell," all the time.