How far is your daily commute to work? In 2019, the average one-way commute in the United States reached an all-time high of 27.6 minutes. This means that many drivers spend at least an hour behind the wheel each day. The clock ticks on when you consider traffic, accidents, school drop-offs and pick-ups, errands, and other outings. The chances are that you’re well versed in this, and that’s the motivation behind your search for a pre-owned luxury SUV.
Pre-owned luxury SUVs are a great, affordable way to upgrade your commute to first class. They make the time you spend behind the wheel more enjoyable and offer loads of sophistication and style, from their design details to their long list of amenities and cutting-edge features. So, what are the top features you should look for in your search for a pre-owned luxury SUV? Here’s the answer.
#9 – Digital Instrument Cluster
When you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to have all the information you need within eyesight, which is where a digital instrument cluster can make a huge difference. Advancements in technology have resulted in vast improvements to the traditional gauge display, with many luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLE now equipped with digital displays that measure as large as 12.3 inches. These displays not only give you a clear view of your speed, fuel level, and mileage, but many can be customized to your preferences and offer a host of other information like navigational maps and cues, audio settings, phone alerts, and driver-assist notifications.
#8 – Touchscreen Display
While a digital instrument cluster puts vital vehicle-related data within view at all times, a touchscreen display builds on and extends this functionality to keep you connected and informed when you’re behind the wheel. High-end automakers like BMW know that your life is busy and, because of this, staying connected to friends, family, emails, messages, and phone calls is important. That’s why you’ll find many luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 or the Land Rover Range Rover boast expansive center touchscreen displays that are a hub of connectivity and offer smartphone integration, navigation, and more.
#7 – Smartphone Integration
Do you ever leave the house without your smartphone? Smartphones are our lifelines to work, family, and friends. Every luxury automaker in the industry, from Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz to Volvo and beyond, knows this firsthand and ensures you stay connected with smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. With many luxury SUVs offering wireless smartphone integration, you can leave your USB cable at home as the SUV will immediately sync your phone to the infotainment system to give you access to your favorite apps, text messages, contacts, playlists, and more with the touch of a button or a simple voice command. This allows you to stay connected and keep your focus on the road ahead.
#6 – Heated Seats and Heated Steering Wheel
When shopping for a pre-owned luxury SUV, you’ll find that models like the Lexus RX 350, Land Rover Discovery, and Audi Q7 make your comfort a top priority by offering heated seats and a heated steering wheel. These features may not seem important initially, but when you’re desperate to get warm, they can make a world of difference. Since automotive heaters rely on the engine to work, it can take some time for your SUV’s heater to make the cabin nice and toasty. In the meantime, your SUV’s heated seats and heated steering wheel are electronically controlled and start working immediately.
#5 – Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Alert
Anytime you get behind the wheel, there’s a risk of an accident. That is why every luxury automaker in the industry, from Lincoln and Cadillac to Porsche and BMW, works to minimize this risk with cutting-edge technology like forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking. Tools like forward collision alert actively monitor the road ahead for other vehicles and pedestrians, alerting you to potential collisions with audible and visual notifications. If you fail to respond or don’t respond fast enough, the SUV’s automatic emergency braking system engages and can enhance your braking or even bring the SUV to a controlled stop to minimize the impact or avoid a collision altogether.
#4 – Blind Spot Monitoring
You’re in the middle of your commute on the highway and try to change lanes only to quickly realize there’s another vehicle hiding in your blind spot, forcing you to steer quickly back into your lane and narrowly avoid a collision. When shopping for a pre-owned luxury SUV, be sure to look for driver-assist tools like blind spot monitoring that can help you avoid these situations. Blind spot monitoring serves as an extra set of eyes around the SUV and alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots, whether you’re attempting to change lanes on the highway or you’re navigating rush-hour traffic downtown.
#3 – Power Liftgate
How often do you access the cargo area of your current vehicle and, when you do, is it easy and convenient? Automakers like Lexus, Acura, Cadillac, and BMW go the extra mile to make even the smallest tasks more convenient and easier to manage in their luxury SUVs. To do this, you’ll find many models are equipped with a power liftgate that opens and closes with the touch of a button on the key fob, the liftgate itself, or even with nothing more than a quick kick under the rear bumper. This eliminates the hassle of juggling everything in your arms for the sake of freeing a hand to physically open the liftgate and makes everything from getting groceries to loading and unloading luggage and gear a whole lot easier.
#2 – Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
If you spend a lot of time driving on the highway, then you’ll want to look for a pre-owned luxury SUV equipped with adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Traditional cruise control relies on you to set and reset the cruising speed based on the flow of traffic. Adaptive cruise control, however, eliminates this need and actively monitors the traffic ahead and adjusts the SUV’s cruising speed as needed. Many models take this feature to the next level with stop-and-go technology that works in rush-hour traffic and can bring the SUV to a complete stop and then accelerate as needed.
#1 – Semi-Autonomous or Hands-Free Driving Tools
Hands-free driving like Super Cruise, which is found on many pre-owned Cadillac SUVs, can make your commute stress-free and enjoyable. This technology works with map data and a driver attention system to determine the SUV’s location and where you’re looking. If you’re on a compatible roadway and your gaze is on the road ahead, you can activate the system and take your hands off the wheel, letting the technology navigate the road for you. Hands-on semi-autonomous tools are also plentiful in the industry and allow you to loosen your grip on the steering wheel while the vehicle navigates itself.
Your Must-Haves in a Pre-Owned Luxury SUV
Are you ready to upgrade your commute to first class? Now that you know more about the features to look for in a pre-owned luxury SUV, it’s up to you to decide your list of must-haves in your next vehicle. These features and plenty of others will make your commute more enjoyable and keep you both safe and connected when you’re on the road.
