Valentine’s Day is approaching, and it’s important to make sure that your car is equipped to deal with the most romantic day of the year. We’ve listed a few features that will ensure your car plays an important part in your Valentine’s plans with someone special.
Locking Center Console
Nothing says romance like a locking center console. How could that be? Because there’s no better way to hide the engagement ring than a lockable center console that won’t be pried open by your soon-to-be fiance — or worse, by thieves. Stick the engagement ring in the console, lock it up, and don’t worry about it before pulling it out when the time is right to pop the question. While locking center consoles aren’t often available from the factory, they’re common as aftermarket accessories, especially in SUVs, pickups and other vehicles with large center consoles. Some are easy to install yourself, meaning your date might not even notice if you add the feature.
Mood Lighting
Most cars don’t offer mood lighting, but drive one of the vehicles that includes the feature and you’ll agree there’s no going back. We think your date will agree too, as you can change lighting colors from a romantic red to a cool blue with the push of a button. The best example of this feature is in the Ford Mustang, which has offered it as a commonly installed dealer accessory (dubbed MyColor) since the 2005 model year.
Bluetooth Audio
A well-chosen song can go a long way toward setting the right mood, and there’s no easier way to make sure that the perfect song is playing exactly when you want than with Bluetooth Audio. Sync your phone or music player to your car and you can hear exactly what you want, when you want, without major hassle. Or choose a playlist of romantic songs thanks to music apps like Pandora and Spotify. Bluetooth Audio is offered with many modern infotainment systems, from Chevrolet MyLink and Ford SYNC to Kia UVO and Toyota Entune. And if you don’t have Bluetooth Audio, fear not: You can still use your phone or music device in the car for apps like Pandora and Spotify, provided that you have an auxiliary input.
Heated Seats
In most climates, this most romantic of holidays is accompanied by decidedly unromantic weather: cold temperatures, snow or freezing rain. To stay warm, you’ll want to make sure that your car has heated seats for the driver and passenger, and heated rear seats are always a plus if you’re celebrating the holiday with a double date. No, heated seats can’t quite match up to cuddling in front of a fire, but they’ll keep you warm until you can get there.
Massaging Seats
There aren’t many cars that offer massaging seats, but it might make your date a little bit better if you happen to have them. Available on high-end luxury cars such as the Mercedes S-Class and Jaguar XJL, massaging seats do exactly what they say: Provide a massage as you drive down the road. It’s an excellent benefit for drivers and passengers alike, as massaging seats usually offer several settings and cover hard-to-reach places.
Convertible Top
If you’re lucky enough to live in a part of the country where Valentine’s Day isn’t accompanied by cold weather and snow, there’s no better feature than a convertible top. Put it down and enjoy the night sky from the comfort of your car while your favorite songs play in the background. Oh, and a little advice for the guys: If your date has long hair, consider stocking up on hair ties before the big night.
Toyota Entune
Most infotainment systems offer music streaming, apps, weather information and traffic reports, but Toyota’s Entune system takes things a step further by giving drivers the ability to book movie tickets and make restaurant reservations during the drive. It’s an excellent feature that will allow you to plan the perfect date on the fly.
