#1 Most Wanted Car Option: Heated Seats

I’m not sure they asked any of us here in Texas, but it is what it is.

Automakers may be spending billions of dollars developing autonomous driving technology, ever-larger infotainment screens and sophisticated connected-car features, but when shoppers are asked what they really want in their next new vehicle, something considerably simpler comes out on top: heated seats.

According to WardsAuto, automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific’s newly released 2026 Future Vehicle Planner found heated seats were the most-wanted vehicle feature among prospective new-car buyers. The study surveyed more than 19,000 licensed drivers who intend to acquire a new vehicle within the next three years and asked about more than 160 different vehicle features and technologies.

Heated seats were selected by 47% of respondents, narrowly beating front and rear parking sensors at 45%. Rear automatic emergency braking was third at 44%. After that, several features clustered closely together, showing buyers are putting a premium on comfort, convenience and safety rather than simply chasing the newest technology.

AutoPacific’s top 15 most-wanted features for 2026:

1. Heated seats — 47%
2. Front and rear parking sensors — 45%
3. Rear automatic emergency braking — 44%
4. Power front driver’s seat — 43%
5. Lane change assist — 43%
6. Night vision system — 43%
7. Adaptive cruise control with active lane centering and stop-and-go capability — 43%
8. Blind-spot cameras — 43%
9. Rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking — 42%
10. Auto Park — 41%
11. Wireless device charging pad — 41%
12. Power front passenger seat — 40%
13. Dash camera — 40%
14. Large-animal detection — 39%
15. All-wheel drive — 39%.

One newcomer to the top 15 this year is Auto Park. AutoPacific described the feature to survey participants as technology that allows a vehicle to park itself in a space selected by the driver, with the driver either inside the vehicle or standing nearby. Nine of the 15 leading features were either new to the list or returning after being absent, while six repeated their top-ranking status from 2025.

AutoPacific also measures something slightly different from overall popularity: how important a desired feature is to the people who want it. In that “must-have” category, all-wheel drive and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto were among the leaders. The distinction is important. While only 39% of all respondents included AWD among their 15 most-wanted features, those shoppers who want it often consider it essential rather than merely nice to have.

For electric-vehicle and plug-in hybrid shoppers, priorities understandably change. AutoPacific found the top must-have feature among those buyers was an extended-range battery pack, followed by DC ultra-fast-charging capability. Among prospective pickup buyers, WardsAuto reports that 41% considered all-wheel drive a must-have and another 39% considered it highly desirable.

Safety and driver-assistance technology also continues to gain acceptance. AutoPacific says demand is increasing for lane change assist, unresponsive-driver stop assist, safe vehicle exit alerts, blind-spot cameras and adaptive smart headlights. Interest is also rising in features outside the traditional safety category, including remote vehicle summon, four-wheel steering and automatic seat adjustment.

Night Vision in the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport. Credit: Cadillac.

Perhaps most interesting is what happens after drivers actually experience advanced automated-driving systems. AutoPacific found consumers who already have autonomous-driving technology are more likely to want it in their next vehicle, with demand rising even further among those who have personally used the systems. Among users, 91% said they were satisfied with ease of use, 89% with reliability and 87% with value for the money. Generation Y shoppers, ages 32 to 49 in AutoPacific’s study, also showed greater comfort and trust in automated safety and driving-assistance technologies than the overall survey population.

Wireless Charging in the 2027 Kia Telluride. Kia.

The takeaway for automakers may be surprisingly old-fashioned: advanced technology matters, but everyday features people actually use still carry enormous weight. For all the attention paid to the car of the future, nearly half of prospective buyers would apparently just like their next car to warm their backside.