Heated seats and parking sensors are the most-desired features for new car buyers, according to a survey of 19,000 participants in the USA. The survey, conducted by automotive research and analyst firm AutoPacific, reveals an interesting list of must-haves for new car intenders.
The survey asked buyers to indicate which features they were looking for in a new car, with the largest percentage nominating heated seats as being on their shopping list. Almost half of those surveyed, 47 per cent, wanted a warm behind on a winter’s day.
According to AutoPacific, heated seats didn’t even crack the top 15 in 2025‘s survey. Rather than prioritising features, the survey only accounts for the presence of features, so anything that tops the list was selected by more respondents, rather than being seen as more important.
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Parking sensors took second place, with 45 per cent of buyers indicating it as a feature on their shopping list, followed by rear emergency braking, sought after by 44 per cent of those surveyed.
Driver Assist Features
Features like lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control with lane-centring, and blind spot cameras also rated highly, sitting at 43 per cent. Interestingly, relatively uncommon night vision tech was also on the radar of 43 per cent of buyers.
Rear cross-traffic alert with AEB mattered to fewer buyers than simply having rear auto-braking (42 per cent), and an equal number of buyers (41 per cent) desired automated parking as those seeking wireless phone charging.
Trend Analysis
Trend analysis over the last three years also reveals that more buyers are coming around to automated assistance. In 2026, 56 per cent of people surveyed said they trusted safety systems that prevented accidents, up from 49 per cent in 2024.
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Driver assist features, like lane-centring and automated parking, also saw an increase in acceptance, with 62 per cent trusting the technology, up from 57 per cent in 2024. Although they didn’t crack the top 15 list, AutoPacific also noted increases in demand for driver assist systems like unresponsive driver stop assist, vehicle exit alert, and adaptive smart headlights.
The fact that heated seats are now a top priority for many buyers may seem surprising, but it highlights the evolving nature of consumer preferences in the automotive industry. As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how these preferences shift in the coming years.
In the meantime, car manufacturers would do well to take note of these trends and incorporate heated seats and other desirable features into their vehicles. With 47 per cent of buyers seeking heated seats, it’s clear that this feature is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for many consumers.
