Cars today are packed with cutting-edge technology, from advanced driver-assistance systems to digital dashboards that seem pulled from a sci-fi movie. Yet, while automakers race ahead with innovation, a surprising number of once-common safety features have quietly disappeared from the standard package. Some were victims of cost-cutting; others fell out of favor as new tech replaced old methods.
For drivers who grew up with these features, their absence might come as a shock the next time they slide behind the wheel of a new vehicle. Understanding what’s no longer standard helps highlight just how much car safety—and priorities—have evolved.
