Comfort and Convenience
Some people like a cooler cabin on a summer run, while others in the same car prefer warmer air. Taste differs because people feel heat in different ways.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Spending a moment on the driveway to locate the hazard switch and window controls, before passengers get in, means those actions are already known once the trip starts.
Multimedia and Connectivity
If a phone can be charged during a long visit, it may last for messages on the way back. That is a power need, not a call or a playlist.