FYI: Wireless charging pads for front and rear seat passengers top the list of the most desired features in new vehicles this year, highlighting a shift towards comfort and convenience amongst car buyers.
Most Desired Features in New Cars Shift Towards Wireless Convenience
When purchasing a new car, buyers are increasingly prioritizing comfort and practical features over luxury gadgets like sunroofs or paddle shifters. According to AutoPacific’s latest Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS), the most sought-after feature on new car buyers’ lists is a wireless charging pad for phones that is easily accessible to front-seat passengers. Interestingly, a similar charging pad for rear-seat passengers follows closely as the second most desired feature.
Top 10 Desired Vehicle Features and Their Costs
The survey reveals that comfort and convenience rank highly among the top 10 desired features. Here’s a breakdown of these features along with their estimated costs:
- Phone charging pads for front seat passengers ($50)
- Phone charging pads for rear seat passengers ($50)
- Heated and ventilated seats ($550)
- Rain-sensing wipers ($75)
- Sunroof/Moonroof ($800)
- Driver profile settings ($50)
- 110-volt household outlet ($100)
- Rear sunshade ($100)
- Rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking ($150)
- Built-in air compressor ($100)
Survey Insights
The annual nationwide survey gathered inputs from over 14,900 U.S. licensed drivers planning to purchase a new car within the next three years. It measured the demand for 163 features, covering categories like autonomous driving, safety technology, family essentials, infotainment, and connected devices.
Notably, the two most desired features—front and rear wireless charging pads—have climbed in popularity since the previous year’s survey. This trend underscores the increasing value buyers place on seamless device integration and convenience.
Personalized Driving Experience
Driver profile settings emerged as a significant trend, showcasing how much personalization matters to consumers. More than 35% of survey respondents now want to set up driver profiles, a notable increase from 10th place in the previous year to the sixth most desired feature. Such features allow drivers to customize seat adjustments, exterior LED light signatures, suspension firmness, and on-screen shortcuts within the infotainment system, enhancing the driving experience.
Conclusion
AutoPacific’s study highlights the growing emphasis on features that offer practical benefits and personalization over more cosmetic or performance-oriented options. This shift in preferences reflects car buyers’ evolving needs, pointing towards a future where comfort and seamless technological integration become standard expectations in new vehicles.
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Lawrence Jacobs, Editor at Automotive.fyi
