Remember when cargo nets and cup holders were the “big ticket item” to ask for in your vehicle quest? Though they are still nice to have, there certainly are many more customizable and innovative materials to enhance your 21-century driving experience. Are you an outdoorsy-type? Do you transport the hockey or ball team around? Does your vehicle double as your office?

Here are a few things to look for when vehicle shopping:

- Passenger Compartment Storage and Folding Seats – great for extra cargo room when hitting the yard sales
- Airplane-Style Overhead Consoles and Bins – complete with lights for ease of usage even in the dark
- Advanced Multi-Stage Glove Boxes – two are better than one…now you can store your vehicle manual and maintenance schedule books and still have space for all the personal items you need on your journey
- Enhanced Cargo Loading – slide-out trays help to make loading less hassle, while saving your back from undue stress and strife
- Washable Interior Surfaces – great for those with little ones, or not-so-little ones
- Under-Seat Storage and Cooler Bins – add ice to the in-floor cooler and those cold drinks will stay that way
- Anti-Static, Anti-Odour, Anti-Stain Fabrics – these cost-effective materials give those who prefer fabric a more user-friendly option than traditional fabrics
- Reversible Rear Cargo Trays – flip the tray to provide a walled deep-well of storage space to keep things from rolling around the vehicle
- Multi-Stage Sliding Centre Consoles – who says sitting in the second row doesn’t have advantages? Just slide the centre console to meet those passengers with cup holders and storage convenience
- Swivel Seats with Pop-Up Centre Tables – turn the second-row seats around, put up the table and play cards, have a meal or just sit and talk
- Dash Bins – to hide those small-sized items that get lost in larger compartments
- Multiple DVD Screens – not one, but two DVD screens for second and third-row passengers to watch different entertainment simultaneously
- Seat Compartment Storage – flip up the seat bottom up and store your pizza box to keep any grease off the seats
- 12V as well as 115V outlets – plug in your cell phone as well as your laptop

For the most part, these options are offered at a minimal cost for the value they offer. Imagine how much better your next road trip would be with a built-in cooler, or the next sports tournament with swivel seats and a table, or even how much more convenient it is to search for something overhead in the dark with airplane-style lights and movable storage bins? Ask your next salesperson about the standout organizational solutions their vehicles have to offer!

Karen J. Williams is a Sales and Leasing Consultant with Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can reach her at (250) 861-1040 or email at karenw@okanagandodge.com

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