Cars, brands with unique wellness features

In this day and age, most car buyers have high expectations for the vehicles currently sold in the market. Performance and safety are a given, but comfort is likewise high on people’s priorities when hunting for their next big car purchase. 

Gone are the days when people thought that a radio receiver, non-adjustable seats, or basic manual air conditioning was the lap of automotive luxury. Instead, most will expect their cars to at least have adjustable seats, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports, and various other gadgets that would have been alien to car interiors 30 years ago. 

Many cars sold today already cover the “modern basics.” However, there are some rides, regardless of being luxury cars or not, that have went above and beyond in providing their occupants some manner of “extra service.” 

So, as a post-celebration of the International Self-Care Day, here are some car models that come with features that were designed to ensure your health and well-being. 

Tesla Model Y Bioweapon Defense Mode

The Tesla Model Y sold in the Philippines and other parts of the world may come with an optional HEPA Air Filtration package. The aforementioned is paired with a firmware update, which the brand has dubbed the “Bioweapon Defense Mode.” 

It sounds cheesy, but the said firmware and its associated filters are touted to provide the freshest and cleanest in-cabin air quality regardless of the status of the outside world. 

According to the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, it primarily works by creating a positive pressure inside the vehicle to keep unfiltered air out. Air that is allowed through the cabin of the vehicle, meanwhile, goes through a HEPA filter that’s able to remove particles as small as 0.3 microns per industry standards. 

As one can imagine, the optional Bioweapon Defense Mode of the Model Y could come in handy in places like Metro Manila, where smog is common. 

For those curious, the Tesla Model Y currently has a price of P2.369 million for the entry-level rear-wheel-drive variant, P2.689 million for the mid-spec Long Range AWD trim, and P3.299 million for the top-of-the-line Performance trim. 

Here is a table detailing the basic mechanical specifications of the Tesla Model Y Performance: 

Motor setup	Dual motor
Drivetrain	All-wheel-drive (AWD)
Range	514 kilometers (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure)
Horsepower	456
Torque	674 Newton-meters
Suspension	Double-wishbone front and multi-link rear with adaptive damping
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Lexus LM 4-Seater’s supreme legroom

As one can imagine, stuffing oneself daily in a tight cabin isn’t sustainable. For one thing, it will ruin one’s day, and in the long run, it can cause muscle pains and stiffness. 

Plenty of three-row models, such as midsize sport utility vehicles (SUV), multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), crossovers, and even sedans have ample headroom nowadays. None, however will have the interior space to be able to match the vastness of the Lexus LM four-Seater’s interior. 

As its name suggests, the aforementioned Lexus model can only accommodate four occupants, despite being a spruced-up version of the equally spacious Toyota Alphard. The result is a roomy cabin with space for large and comfortable, ergonomically optimized seats, and no shortage of room to stretch when you need it. 

The Lexus LM 4-Seater, however, comes at a premium. Specifically, it retails at P10.718 million, which is over P3 million more expensive compared to its entry-level seven-seater version. Then again, the LM 4-Seater does have additional features, such as a humongous rear display and ensured privacy since its rear cabin is practically a separate room from the front cabin. 

Here’s a table showcasing the basic mechanical specs of the Lexus LM 4-Seater: 

Engine	2.5-liter hybrid inline-4 gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Transmission	Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Horsepower	187
Torque	239 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Double wishbone
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Mercedes-Benz Air Balance System

Weird smells inside the car can become inevitable. We continuously go in and out of the automobiles every day, after all. Plus, when we open the door, outside air and the odor it brings will linger inside the car for a time. For some people, that can ruin their mood and even their entire day. 

Mercedes-Benz is aware of the aforementioned and so has fielded the Air Balance System for a number of its offerings as an optional package. 

To put it simply, the said system utilizes a charcoal filter, a fragrance atomizer (inside the glovebox), and an air ionizer to keep your cabin smelling fresh and nice. Per the brand, the Air Balance System is available in these models that are also sold in the local market: 

• E-Class
• GLE
• GLS
• G-Class
• S-Class

BMW Caring Car

BMW car models equipped with the Connected Package Professional, including nameplates sold locally, also come with the German carmaker’s “Caring Car” feature. 

As the brand itself has explained, it is a system that simultaneously utilizes the vehicle’s ambient lighting, air conditioning system, and other amenities to create an atmosphere that helps occupants relax and possibly even meditate. 

Notably, this feature, like many on the list, isn’t guaranteed to yield the same results for all individuals. Regardless, its very presence can be considered a nod to how BMW wants to ensure that you are fit for driving. 

Operating such a heavy vehicle while experiencing stress or mental distraction, after all, isn’t in the best interest for you or other motorists’ safety. 

Final thoughts

To note, all the unique car features listed above aren’t actually crucial for vehicle operation. Otherwise, all of them undoubtedly contribute to the perceived value of a car. 

Because, like we’ve said above, cars are no longer “basic appliances” nowadays. Whether you like it or not, many people depend on them day-to-day for travel, work, commuting, or just for the joy of driving. And it doesn’t hurt if brands sought out ways to make sitting inside a car for hours on end a little bit more comfortable, right?

Also read:

Brands that might benefit from the new PH-US trade deal

Toyota Fortuner vs Honda CR-V vs Isuzu mu-X: SUVs for the rainy season

Is driving stick still relevant to youngsters?

Connect with us through our various social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZigWheelsPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zigwheelsph/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zigwheels

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZigWheelsPhilippines/