2008 is a great year for car buyers. Carmakers continue to develop new features that are safe, comfortable, and convenient to appeal to new car buyers. What are the most notable new features in a car? Cars.com reviewers have spent many hours behind the wheel in new cars, and they’ve identified five of the most important features that came out in 2007.

Cars.com identifies these five features as the top five most important in a new car:

1. Lane-departure prevention. This warning system is designed to detect lane markings, and sound a chime when you go off course. LDP will gently apply brakes to specific wheels to help you stay on track if the warnings are ignored. It will intervene on straight roads only with a little deceleration. The dashboard chime alerts it.

2. Full-size hybrid SUVs and trucks. Only compact and midsize SUVs have been equipped with hybrid technology to date. Two-Mode Hybrid technology is shared by several full-size SUVs of GM and Chrysler Group and a pickup truck. This system can provide substantial mileage gains, if early estimates are accurate. They give up virtually all of their hauling and lifting capabilities and are still very useful for the people who truly need them.

3. Heartbeat sensor. Cars.com was skeptical about the utility of a heartbeat sensor. However, they were convinced by the fact that such a futuristic feature exists in today’s cars. The Volvo S80’s heartbeat sensor can be used to determine if someone is in your car. It is also part of the S80 sedan’s Personal Car Communicator fob. This can tell you if your car has been locked or unlocked up to 300 feet away.

4. Sirius satellite TV. Every parent knows that carrying too much stuff on long family trips can make it difficult for children to be safe. This is made easier by the new Sirius Satellite TV, which removes your DVD collection. The three channels are available to children on either one or both of the rear screens. If it’s only one, the other screen can display a DVD or video.

5. Blind spot information system Volvo. Volvo is known for its safety innovations. This is the most recent. Optional blind spot information systems are available on new models. This system alerts drivers when cars are difficult to spot with mirrors. Two cameras are attached at the side mirrors. A pale orange light illuminates if changing lanes would result in hitting someone in the dreaded Blind Spot.