From hidden ice scrapers to baguette holders, car manufacturers have a knack for sneaking quirky features into their designs. Many people are just discovering that one of the UK's most popular car brands has been hiding an umbrella in its cabin all along — as well as a host of other surprisingly useful features.

Skoda, which sold more than 78,000 cars in 2024 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures, arguably hides some of the most functional items, especially for those in unpredictable weather. Cleverly tucked inside the fuel filler cap or boot door, most models have a plastic ice scraper to help out on those cold mornings. Meanwhile, the Octavia and Superb go one step further, as each one has a handy umbrella concealed within the driver’s door pocket.

In a video that started circulating on social media detailing Skoda's handy features, that now has 769,000 views, one user responded: "This is how cars for mere mortals should be. Well done Škoda!"

Although some weren't as impressed, with another responding: "Hold up, so the ice scraper is in the fuel door. I tend to find the fuel door is one of the first things to freeze over?"

Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at used car retailer, cinch, explained: "Many of us have no idea about the playful touches designed into our cars. These hidden features really show the personality of different car brands – and some are even clever and practical."

The French brand, Renault, created something extremely unique that got everyone talking.

When it relaunched the Renault 5 last year, rather than a standard cupholder, the design team added a special compartment specifically for storing a baguette on the drive home from the boulangerie.

Vauxhall, the UK's eleventh most popular car brand, has a hidden shark in every model, and it has done so for more than 20 years.

"The shark tradition came about when a glovebox designer was sketching a panel and his son asked if he could add a shark to the drawing," explained Sheehan.

"This was so well received by the designer’s boss that it made its way into that generation of Corsa. Since then, every Vauxhall has a little shark somewhere in the cabin."