‘As Long As the Key’s On You:’ Woman Says Porsche 911 Has 3 Hidden Features. What Are They?

The Porsche 911 is an undeniably iconic vehicle. One woman says that it has even more going for it than people may realize.

Fitness influencer and car buff Mel Grace (@itsmelgracee) recently showed off what she calls “hidden” aspects of her new Porsche 911 on TikTok.

Grace begins her video by sauntering in front of a Porsche 911, a cup of iced coffee in hand. She then shares some features the car has that auto enthusiasts may not be privy to.

What Are the New Porsche 911’s “Hidden” Features?

“Three hidden features of the new Porsche 911,” Grace says. Next, she slightly lifts up her shirt to reveal the key fob tucked into the waistband of her leggings. “As long as the key is on you, look at this magic,” she states. Then she gently swipes her finger across the front bumper.

This prompts the car’s trunk to pop open, which Grace refers to as the “swipe the hand feature.” She then says the 911’s door handles pop out automatically when one nears the vehicle as long as the key fob is on their person.

“When you approach it, the car presents its handles. Let me show you,” she tells viewers. Then she walks up to the ride and hovers her palm near the passenger side door. After a brief moment, the car’s handle indeed extends, making it easier for her to open the door.

Next Grace is filmed sitting behind the steering wheel of the 911, which sports a clay brown interior. “No more toggle switch, it’s a button,” she says, pressing a button located on the left side of the steering wheel. “No more ‘twist’ to start,” she says. Grace is referring to a mechanism employed on previous Porsche 911 models.

The “twist” knob was meant to emulate the feeling of turning a traditional ignition. However, newer 911s are outfitted with a push-to-start engine.

Gallery: 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S Review

Commenters Sound Off

Several TikTok users weren't quite as enamored with the features Grace highlights. One said that the hood-swipe feature may result in accidental engagement while cleaning the vehicle. “The hood sensor is annoying when you’re washing the car,” they wrote.

Others expressed that they're not fans of the push button start. One argued that this wasn’t exactly a secret function, either. “What is hidden about a start/stop button? It's right there next to the steering wheel! Not a fan of the new 911s. I will keep my 997 forever!” they wrote.

“I hate the push button start but loved turning the key,” another wrote. A third added, “Those hidden features are on every 992 from 2021. The digital tach and push start are a downgrade in my opinion."

Porsche Luxury Rankings

The 2025 Porsche 911 starts at $121,265. Depending on which options drivers select, they can go up to $261,100 for the vehicle, per Edmunds. But what are buyers getting for their money? 

According to Consumer Reports, the brand ranks fairly high against other automakers. The independent product research group incorporates several metrics: performance on the road, reliability, safety, and owner satisfaction. Overall, Porsche sits at #4 on the list, and #3 when it comes to luxury car brands. In owner satisfaction, Porsche is #4 on the list. The biggest ding against Porsche is the price. In terms of average maintenance and repair costs, Porsches are in the 27th spot on Consumer Reports.

But many argue that, when it comes to driving dynamics, Porsche is second to none. Consumer Reports writes that Porsches have “sharp handling, a controlled ride, superb braking performance, and beautifully crafted interiors.” Porsches are also purportedly reliable vehicles.

RepairPal’s rating of Porsches isn’t as kind, with the brand earning two out of five stars. According to the website, the rating was determined “on an average across 345 unique models.” Moreover, RepairPal states that “the average annual repair cost for a Porsche is $1,192.” This is almost double the $652 average when compared to other automakers. Additionally, there’s a “21% probability of a repair being severe” with a Porsche, which means that if a problem does arise, it’s likely going to cost Porsche owners a good chunk of change to fix.

Motor1 has reached out to Grace via TikTok comment for further information. We'll update this if she responds.