When it comes to buying a new car, every shopper has a short list of features they simply can’t live without. A new survey by AutoPacific suggests that for most Americans in 2025, that feature is all-wheel drive.
In its latest *Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS)*, AutoPacific surveyed more than 18,000 consumers who plan to buy or lease a new vehicle in the next three years. For the first time, the study asked not just what features shoppers want, but how strongly they feel about them—distinguishing between “must-have” and “nice-to-have” attributes.
All-wheel drive (AWD) emerged as the clear front-runner, with 63 percent of respondents who want the feature saying they would not purchase a vehicle without it. Demand for AWD was particularly strong among older buyers, though enthusiasm remained high across all generations.
Close behind were several comfort, convenience, and safety features. Blind spot cameras and power front driver’s seats each tied for second, at 62 percent, followed by front and rear parking sensors (61 percent) and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration (60 percent).
AutoPacific’s generational analysis reveals subtle but telling differences in consumer priorities. Baby Boomers, many of whom live in regions with unpredictable weather, show the strongest preference for all-wheel drive and blind spot cameras—70 percent of respondents in that group consider both features non-negotiable. Gen X buyers ranked close behind, while younger generations placed slightly less emphasis on mechanical or driver-assist features.
Gen Y and Gen Z consumers instead showed rising interest in technology and sustainability. Nearly half of Gen Y respondents rated full-width infotainment displays and eco-friendly interiors as must-haves, compared with just 26 percent of Baby Boomers.
“Consumers are thinking more holistically about their driving experience,” AutoPacific’s researchers noted, pointing out that technology, comfort, and environmental consciousness are increasingly intertwined in purchasing decisions.
The study’s data-driven approach offers automakers and suppliers a deeper look at how buyer expectations are evolving—particularly as vehicles become more connected and electrified. It also underscores a simple truth that has long defined American car culture: no matter how advanced the technology, drivers still want the confidence of traction and control.
Even in a future filled with electric powertrains, immersive displays, and sustainable materials, the old-fashioned appeal of all-wheel drive appears to endure.