5 kid-friendly features for a safer, more fun journey

REAR monitors, such as on the Volvo S60, help keep kids entertained—and parents stay sane while driving.

With your children safely in their car seats, you can get down to driving. These features will help ensure that the journey is even safer and more fun:

1.) Anti-pinch windows. Kids can’t help but fiddle with switches, and power windows are a potential hazard for smaller children. For safety reasons, newer cars have power windows that will stop closing when it encounters an obstacle-say a hand caught in the glass.

Not handy when: wanting to close your windows in a seedy part of town.

Cars that have it include: Foton Thunder pickup

2.) Remote child safety locks. Almost all cars have mechanical defeat switches for the interior handles on the rear doors. This “child lock” is quite useful in preventing accidental opening of the rear doors, whether the car is moving or not. Going one step better is an electronic lock that can be engaged with a button on the driver’s console, making it very convenient to safely lock in Junior.

Not handy when: escaping from a zombie horde with Simon Pegg.

Cars that have it include: Volvo S60

3.) Conversation mirror. With the kids in the back seat, it’s harder to keep track of who hit whom first. Enter the conversation mirror, a clever parabolic mirror that allows the driver to easily keep an eye on the kids without having to resort to the rear-view mirror

Not handy when: scolding the kids while trying not to show them you’re actually laughing

Cars that have it include: Ford Expedition, Honda CR-V

4.) Multiple AV inputs and power sockets. In these days of ubiquitous i-devices, an onboard entertainment system may seem redundant. However, handhelds do need to be recharged, and that’s where multiple power sockets come in handy. Also not to be dismissed is the old-fashioned on-board DVD player or rear-seat monitor.

Not handy when: enjoying a quiet moment without Angry Birds sound effects

Cars that have it include: Chrysler Town & Country

5. Quiet and comfortable ride. The most peaceful child on a trip is one who’s sleeping. Rather than bringing out the Benadryl, it’s useful to have a car that provides a buttery smooth ride with the quietness of a womb.

Not handy when: trying to live out fantasies of being NicoRosberg.

Cars that have it include: Mercedes-Benz S-Class