Blind spot systems, such as the Mercedes-Benz technology diagrammed here, have struck a responsive chord with buyers.
There are plenty of options to choose from if you’re buying a car these days, everything from high-performance engines to fancy audio packages and infotainment systems. But a new survey of motorists across the country reveals that the latest advanced safety features top the list.
The single most sought-after option, chosen by 63% of the panel of 500 drivers, was Blind Spot Monitoring, with Collision Avoidance technology a close second, named by 53%. The only non-safety item among the top five was Large, LCD Touch-Pad Control Displays, a pick of 37% of those surveyed.
“It is notable that four of the top five were features that enhance the safety of the driving experience,” said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com, which conducted the study. “For all the talk of smartphone technology and car-performance features, today’s drivers seem to prefer ways to keep them safe and secure in the vehicle.”
The top five picks were rounded out by Voice Command and Fatigue-Reducing ‘Zero Gravity’ Seats, which tied at 38%.
The five features that generated the least interest among survey respondents included Heated Windshield Washer Fluids, at 19%, Rear Foot-Controlled Liftgate (introduced on the new Ford Escape), at 16%, in-car smartphone apps for Google, Yelp and Facebook, at 15%, Center-Mounted Airbags, at 12%, and Pushbutton Gear Selectors, at 9%.
By and large, men and women had the same choices, with a few exceptions. Men were much more in favor of those large touchscreen displays, while women liked text-messaging systems and built-in WiFi connectivity.
Young and old also were largely in sync, though older drivers were especially enamored by Lane Departure Warning, the study revealed, with Internal WiFi Connectivity a real favorite among younger drivers.
The survey also looked at what brands consumers saw as doing the best job developing new technologies. Overall, Mercedes-Benz topped the list, at 52.9%, followed by BMW, at 45.1%, Ford, at 43.8%, Audi, at 39.4%, and Lexus, at 33.3%. GMC, Mazda, Dodge, Fiat and Kia ranked at the bottom.
Men favored Ford, Cadillac, BMW and Acura more than women — who favored Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota and Chrysler.