7 car features that customers want most

AutoPacific's annual customer satisfaction survey polled nearly 90,000 people who bought or leased a new car.

Heated seats

Photo: Hotcars

According to AutoPacific, 66% of car shoppers like the warmth and comfort that heated seats provide. This is especially true for car shoppers in cold climates, as car climate control takes longer to warm up than heated seats.

Heated seats use a thermostat that automatically activates a relay when the seat temperature falls below a certain temperature and deactivates the relay when the temperature exceeds a fixed level. The heat generated by a coil fitted under the upholstery is powered by the car's battery.

Blind spot monitoring

Photo: Hotcars

Most people would be better drivers with safety technology. Many car buyers realize that no matter how advanced automotive technology or how smart cars become, they will always have blind spots when driving. With 60% choosing blind spot monitoring as their second most popular feature.

This feature comes in handy by providing the driver with an extra set of eyes. Whenever it detects another vehicle in the driver’s blind spot, it will sound an alert or flash an indicator light on the side mirror.

Front and rear parking sensors

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Parking sensors are becoming standard on most new cars. Proximity sensors use sound to warn drivers when they get too close to objects in front or behind them while parking.

In addition to helping amateur drivers park in tight spaces and avoid easy damage, parking sensors also save time for experienced drivers. Front and rear parking sensors differ significantly. In many cases, rear sensors detect objects up to 2.4 meters while front sensors detect objects up to 1.2 meters.

Four-wheel drive

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Traditional two-wheel drive systems like front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive are not enough for many buyers today. 54% of AutoPacific survey respondents want their next vehicle to be equipped with AWD or 4WD. Both systems send power from the engine to all four wheels, giving drivers more confidence in adverse weather conditions or rough terrain.

AWD systems are primarily designed for use on paved roads. When snow or ice makes conditions slippery, they send more power to the wheels that need it most, providing better traction and correcting wheel slip. In performance vehicles, AWD helps prevent cornering at high speeds. The main proponents of 4WD are likely buyers of large trucks and SUVs.

Lane departure warning

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Lane departure warning is a safety measure that helps drivers take action with both visual and audible signals. 54% of the 90,000 survey respondents said they would like lane departure warning in their next car purchase.

In addition to warning the driver, this feature can automatically apply the brakes to reduce the chance of a collision if it detects the vehicle drifting out of its lane.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto

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Today’s new car buyers are tech-savvy, especially younger generations. It’s no surprise that 53% of buyers (via AutoPacific) want Apple Carplay and Android Auto. These tech features play a key role in enhancing the car’s infotainment experience for drivers.

With this feature, drivers can play music, manage calls and notifications, and securely access phone apps, third-party apps, and personal data.

Ventilated or cooled seats

Photo: Hotcars

Ventilated/cooled seats appear on the list of most desired features of AutoPacific FADS. Both the ventilation and cooling systems use perforated foam upholstery. They blow air evenly through the small holes in the seat to help keep occupants cool in hot weather.

Both types of seats are more environmentally friendly and more efficient than air conditioning, with half of those surveyed by AutoPacific saying they would like this feature in their next car purchase.