The world of car design is constantly evolving, and as technology advances, some once-common car features are rapidly disappearing.
If you haven’t shopped for a new car in a while, the range of features and options available may surprise you. Things that once seemed like standard additions—like cassette players, bench seats, and wind-up windows—are becoming things of the past.
As car manufacturers continue to prioritize technological innovations, these outdated features are becoming obsolete.
Let’s take a look at 13 popular car features you’ll probably never see again.
1. Cassette Players and CD Changers
Not long ago, cassette players and CD changers were the go-to way to enjoy music in the car. Remember the excitement of popping in your favorite mixtape or loading a CD changer with your best tunes for a road trip?
While these options have their nostalgic charm, they’ve been replaced by digital media. Satellite radio, streaming services like Spotify, and podcasts are now the preferred choice for most drivers. With the shift to digital audio, it’s rare to find a new car equipped with a CD player, let alone a cassette player.
2. Front Bench Seats
Bench seats were a staple in family cars for decades, offering the ability to fit three passengers in the front seat. Although a few models, like the Chevrolet Impala, kept them alive into the 2000s, safety concerns have led to their decline.
Front airbags work best when positioned directly in front of passengers, which makes it difficult to design a safe airbag system for the middle seat. As a result, most new cars now have bucket seats in the front.
3. Wind-Up Windows
Manual, wind-up windows used to be the norm, with many used car ads boasting of a car’s power window options as a luxury feature.
Today, wind-up windows are nearly extinct, replaced by power windows that can be controlled at the touch of a button. This shift is largely due to the efficiency of manufacturing and the rising popularity of power windows in new cars.
4. Rear-Hinged Doors
Popular in luxury cars up until the 1960s, rear-hinged doors (also known as suicide doors) allowed rear-seat passengers to enter and exit the vehicle more elegantly.
However, they were prone to safety issues, as the doors could open easily in an accident, leading to the safety concerns that led to their phase-out. The 2019 Lincoln Continental revived the rear-hinged door with its “Coach Doors,” but these are few and far between in new models.
5. Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighters
Not too long ago, it was standard for cars to come equipped with ashtrays and cigarette lighters. Smoking was widely accepted, and these features were seen as essential for many drivers.
However, as smoking became less popular and the need for car gadgets grew, ashtrays and lighters were phased out.
Today, the cigarette lighter socket is often used as a 12-volt power outlet for charging devices, and ashtrays are mostly available as optional accessories.
6. Spare Tires
Flat tires used to be a common reason for roadside stops, but today, many cars are equipped with run-flat tires that can continue to operate even when they lose air.
This, combined with the desire to improve fuel efficiency, has led some car manufacturers to eliminate the spare tire. Instead, many cars now come with a tire sealant kit and a small air compressor.
7. Keys
Gone are the days of traditional car keys. While they’re still found in entry-level cars and rental vehicles, most modern cars feature proximity keys that allow the vehicle to be unlocked, started, and driven without physically taking the key out of your pocket or bag.
These digital keys offer convenience, but they also present new security concerns, as thieves may be able to gain access to your car without needing the actual key.
8. Parking Brake Handles
The traditional pull-up parking brake lever is becoming increasingly rare in modern vehicles. In its place, many cars now feature an electronic parking brake that can be activated with the push of a button.
This change not only saves space but also offers the benefit of automatic engagement when the car is parked, particularly on slopes, helping to prevent unnecessary strain on the transmission.
9. Power Antennas
Power antennas were once a common feature in many vehicles, helping to pull in radio signals from distant stations.
However, with the rise of satellite radio and digital broadcasting, the need for tall, retractable antennas has diminished. In their place, many modern vehicles now feature a small, fixed “shark-fin” antenna, which is less prone to damage and more streamlined.
10. Vent Windows
Before air conditioning became standard, vent windows were a popular feature on older cars. These small windows, located near the side mirrors, could be rotated open to allow fresh air to flow into the cabin.
While vent windows made driving on hot days more bearable, they’ve been replaced by more advanced air conditioning systems and the rise of modern car designs.
11. Pop-Up Headlamps
Pop-up headlamps were once a feature seen on many sporty and luxury cars, thanks to their ability to improve aerodynamics and aesthetics.
However, the rise of modern lighting technology and safety concerns led to the decline of pop-up headlights. Today, most cars have fixed headlights that provide better illumination and pedestrian safety.
12. Hood Ornaments
Hood ornaments were a symbol of luxury and elegance on many older cars, but they’ve been phased out due to safety concerns.
These protruding features posed a risk to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a collision. While some high-end cars still feature retracting hood ornaments, they’re becoming increasingly rare as regulations and safety standards evolve.
13. Gas Caps
In the future, gas caps may become a thing of the past. Ford has already begun to phase out gas caps in certain models, replacing them with a capless fuel system that helps prevent gas siphoning and eliminates the hassle of unscrewing the cap.
This feature not only saves time but also makes refueling in cold weather more convenient, as you won’t have to deal with cold, stiff gas caps.