The most essential feature in any car is reliable power steering, and analysts from Avtostat have highlighted its importance in their recent study. The survey reveals that drivers overwhelmingly value hydraulic or electric power steering as a must-have option on modern vehicles. In fact, 92% of respondents rated it as one of the top needs for everyday driving. In the same breath, airbags earned the same level of support, showing a strong emphasis on occupant protection alongside steering ease. Central locking also drew strong praise, with 89.1% of participants considering it a basic necessity, followed closely by climate control or air conditioning at 89%.
Beyond these core comfort and safety features, the survey lists several other options that drivers deem important. Power windows were valued by 86.3%, while fog lights received 78.7% support. Traction control attracted 77.8% of votes, and rear disc brakes remained a priority for 76.6% of respondents. Heated seats, appealing to comfort in colder climates, were favored by 69.3%, and a convenient steering wheel access setting drew 68.9% support. The results paint a picture of what North American drivers expect as standard or readily available in modern vehicles and what they consider worth paying extra for, especially in regions with winter driving conditions.
Historically, one notable trend in the global market has been the richer equipment packages offered by certain Chinese carmakers. In contemporary comparisons, the Haval Jolion in its Premium configuration stands out as one of the most generous examples of basic equipment, while the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro in the Travel version is cited as being on the leaner side regarding standard options. The Jolion showcases a broad array of features that many buyers would associate with higher trim levels from other brands, while the Tiggo 4 Pro demonstrates how equipment can vary significantly across models within the same manufacturer lineup. In the cited study, the Jolion’s package was reported to include 67 main options, whereas the Tiggo 4 Pro offered 51.
Earlier timelines noted by industry sources indicate that in January, deliveries of five Chinese car models to Russia were halted, a development that affected supply chains and the availability of certain configurations in specific markets. This kind of shift underscores how regional regulations, sanctions, and trade dynamics can influence which features arrive on dealer lots and how much value they add for buyers in North America. Analysts suggest that buyers in Canada and the United States may weigh the reliability and long-term service implications of these advanced packages as they compare foreign-origin models with domestic and other imported options. This context helps explain why sophisticated feature sets can rise in perceived importance even when they come from manufacturers outside the traditional market leaders, and why the perception of value shifts with changes in supply and local support networks. Attribution: Avtostat.