I have cold hands. Back when I used to live in cold climates, they would be like freezer packs from about November to April -- big hit with girlfriends. Although California has improved the situation, my hands still get a little cold and unlike Indiana or Toronto, I'd look like a moron if I went around Santa Monica with gloves on.
While managing editor Donna DeRosa loves herself some heated seats for a wonky back, I found myself just as happy with our X5's heated steering wheel included in the $900 Cold Weather Package that also features Donna's heated front seats, a ski bag and retractable headlight washers...
Unlike a few other heated steering wheels I've come across, the X5's doesn't roast your hands, it provides gentle warmth. It's like driving with your hands on a cup of tea, which I'm actually doing in the midst of typing this.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 4,165 miles
rsholland says:
11:39 AM, 03/27/08
I drove an X5 a couple of years ago that had a heated steering wheel. It's a great feature. I wish more cars offered it.
ittazvic says:
12:06 PM, 03/27/08
I second that. This is an option I get on any car I buy - if it's available.
tryan says:
05:34 PM, 03/27/08
While not widespread, it is a feature available on more than a few cars. The Nissan Maxima and Audi A6/A8 to name a few. It's actually been a mainstay in the A6 since the late 1998 redesign.
dragonflight says:
07:40 PM, 03/27/08
I remember the last-gen G35 as offering it too... does the one in the IL garage have it?
icemanfro says:
07:53 PM, 03/27/08
I love this feature on my in-laws' new 2008 Cadillac SRX.
I wouldn't call it nearly as useful as heated seats or a handful of other options, but it's nice. It might move up the list if some manufacturer made a heated wheel that heated up faster and/or had three levels.
jaguar36 says:
04:34 AM, 03/28/08
I'd love to see this on more cars, I don't really care about heated seats, but I hate a cold steering wheel.
jpr18 says:
03:28 PM, 03/28/08
I use that every day (in the winter) on my X5!
trackwrex says:
10:10 AM, 03/29/08
c'mon james! put on a pair of gloves here in SoCal! you won't get weird looks- no...
rsholland says:
03:21 PM, 03/29/08
Why, when he can just press a button to warm up his hands?
firstwagon says:
07:09 PM, 03/29/08
Wow, some people sure insist on being pampered.
I can see heated grips on a snowmobile but on a car with a heater in California.... good grief people, toughen up a bit.
hirisc says:
10:37 AM, 08/ 7/08
^^ Move to Minneapolis and then type 'toughen up'. :P
Best feature on any vehicle IMO.. I wouldn't buy another car without heated steering wheel - adios Porsche and Mercedes.