So when we test drive the 2020 I noticed it had a plug for where the cigarette lighter is supposed to be. Salesperson said it's just there and doesn't do anything. Is this true? Can it be used as a charger for phones, etc?

 

Did not hear that, the plug is a cap for a power outlet, maybe they thought you meant the cap is suppose to be a cigarette lighter?

 

From my memory, if you uncap it, it looks like a normal charger. I think the salesperson may have meant that the cap isn't an actual cigarette lighter.
Although I haven't tried to charge anything with the charger yet.

 

I believe that the car comes with just a plastic plug w/o lighter element. All of our MINIs and VWs have come that way. Probably an up charge to get the lighter portion. I bought one for my wife from Amazon that is a red eject button and of course it doesn't actually work as a lighter although it is supposed to. They all accepted USB chargers and worked.