12 Features Automakers Are Quietly Cutting from Modern Cars

The pursuit of progress means that many car features are quickly (and quietly) rendered obsolete.

a close-up photo of the top of a manual transmission shifter

Published 20 hours ago

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The inevitable march of progress means that the automotive industry is in a state of constant flux — each model year necessitates an update that addresses customer needs and improves on its predecessor in some way.

As a result, even technologies that were once considered novel or cutting-edge can quickly fall out of favor due to the arrival of something faster, shinier or more powerful.

In most cases, this ongoing cycle of innovation and obsolescence results in obvious and warranted changes (looking at you, carburetors, crank windows and car phones).

However, some features are far subtler in their disappearance from the market — you might not even know that they’ve become bygone relics.

Whether it’s something outdated, like a CD player, or something unused, like a spare tire, what follows are a dozen car features that are going extinct before buyers’ eyes.

1. Manual transmissions

According to the 2024 EPA Automotive Trends report, manual transmissions were included in almost 35 percent of new vehicles in 1980. However, stick shifts have accounted for less than 1 percent of all production since the 2021 model year.

a photo of a hand holding the shifter for a manual transmission — Car enthusiasts bemoan the death of the manual transmission, but automakers build what sells — consumers value convenience.

While the death of the manual amounts to a great loss for enthusiasts, it’s clear that most new car buyers prioritize driving convenience over the art of rowing their own gears.

2. Handbrake levers

With the onset of electronic parking brakes, cable-actuated handbrakes and levers are increasingly rare sights in new cars.

On the one hand, the switch to a button makes for much easier operation while also freeing up a significant amount of cabin real estate. Unfortunately, however, this does mean that gearheads will no longer be able to execute flashy, tire-shredding drifts and exciting handbrake turns.

3. Oil dipsticks

If you’ve ever needed to pop the hood to check your oil level or quality, you’re well-acquainted with the importance of having a dipstick. Even still, many automakers now omit this feature from new cars and instead rely on digital monitoring systems.

There’s no denying that it makes for more convenient ownership, but it does come at the cost of trusting a computer to keep tabs on your engine health.

4. Spare tires

Although spare tires were once a critical piece of automotive EDC, nowadays, they’re now an exception rather than an expected norm.

a photo of a hand reaching to grab a spare tire — Spare tires used to be critical to keeping your car on the road, but sealant kits and run-flats ensure less hassle and less onboard weight.

In the pursuit of lower production costs and improved fuel economy, many automakers have ditched the full-size spare in favor of space-savers, sealant kits and run-flats. To save on weight, some have even decided to forgo roadside repair provisions altogether.

5. Cigarette lighter port

After smoking started to fall out of fashion in the early oughts, it wasn’t long before automakers stopped offering the option of built-in ashtrays and cigarette lighters (often available through an upgrade known as the Smoker’s Package).

Many new cars retain the round 12V port that enabled the cigarette lighter, but even this feature is beginning to be replaced by USB-A and USB-C connectors.

6. Keys and tumblers

Ever since keyless entry systems first started appearing on cars around the turn of the millennium, physical locks and ignition tumblers have become increasingly redundant.

traditional car keys in the ignition of a car — Traditional ignition tumblers once offered a satisfying click with the turn of a key, but push-button starts are now standard fare.

Instead, most new cars rely on push-button systems for start-up. As if that wasn’t enough, many automakers are now doing away with keys altogether in favor of NFC cards and smartphone-enabled access.

7. CD players

Like the 8-track and the cassette tapes that came before it, the CD player is now a piece of outdated tech. Surprisingly, some new cars, such as the Subaru Forester and the Lexus RC, do still offer the option of a disc changer.

By and large, however, this is one feature that has given way to aux inputs, USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity — and for good reason. Why cart around a stack of CDs when music streaming offers a much more convenient and space-conscious alternative?

8. Naturally aspirated engines

Even ignoring the industry-wide transition to electric cars, these days, naturally aspirated engines are few and far between. It’s a change that’s resulted from ever-tightening emissions regulations and a push for improved fuel economy.

To offer the best compromise between performance and efficiency, many automakers are pairing small-displacement engines with forced induction (typically turbocharging) or some form of hybrid assistance.

9. Mechanical gauges

The digitization of modern dashboards means that most new vehicles have traded their mechanical gauges for an LCD screen.

a photo of a mechanical speedometer gauge in a classic car — The digitization of modern dashboards has resulted in more accurate, information-dense interfaces, yet these still often emulate the appearance of old-school gauges.

Despite the potential for bugs and computer malfunctions, the shift has resulted in more accurate, information-dense interfaces that also come with incredible customization potential. Thanks to skeuomorphism, though, you can still enjoy the sweeping of a needle.

10. Hub caps

Luxury automobiles ditched the hub cap decades ago, but many budget-conscious cars have continued to hide their steel wheels behind such decorative adornments. However, even affordable cars are increasingly featuring alloy rims, often relegating their steel wheels (when included) to the trunk as a space-saving spare.

11. Physical buttons

Take a seat behind the wheel of a new car today and chances are pretty good that you’ll be greeted by a large, central display — no matter if it’s a cheap hatchback or a high-end SUV.

As infotainment systems have become more potent in processing power and cheaper in manufacturing cost, automakers have relocated many button-operated features to a touchscreen interface. Unfortunately, this usually comes at the expense of the driver’s frustration.

a photo of a climate control interface with physical buttons — Touchscreen interfaces may be cheaper to manufacture and more streamlined in footprint, but they’re typically far less intuitive in operation than a dedicated physical button.

Want to change your cabin temperature? How about turning on your windshield wipers? Good luck — you might find yourself stuck scrolling through pages of menus.

12. Natural leather

Bovine leather once represented the pinnacle of interior automotive refinement, but a push for more sustainable materials and construction methods (not to mention lower production costs) means that vegan and synthetic alternatives are becoming standard fare.

Moreover, many electric cars incorporate recycled plastics and fabrics as a part of their commitment to eco-conscious driving. Even luxury automakers like Cadillac are capitalizing on the eco-friendly image.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.