AutoPacific Survey Shows All‑Wheel Drive and Wireless CarPlay Top Must‑Have Features for 2026 Vehicles

A new AutoPacific study of more than 19,000 licensed drivers who plan to purchase a new vehicle within three years identified the features they consider essential for 2026 models. Respondents ranked heated seats as the most important addition, followed by front and rear parking sensors and rear automated emergency braking. All‑Wheel Drive and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto were highlighted as the top "must‑have" features, indicating strong consumer demand for all‑weather capability and seamless smartphone integration.

The survey’s top fifteen also introduced Auto Park – a self‑parking system – and showed that several preferences from the 2025 study, such as heated seats and parking sensors, remain consistent. AutoPacific’s analysis will help automakers decide which features to make standard, offer as options, or reserve for premium trims.