Drivers Prioritize Fuel Economy, Safety
Shoppers for new vehicles primarily want two things in their next ride: better fuel efficiency, and more driver assistance safety features.
That’s the takeaway from AAA research out today that found nearly 80% of all drivers want automakers to focus on improving fuel economy, while 76% want advanced safety tech such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
In its review of 62 new vehicles for the 2022 AAA Car Guide, AAA found that drivers’ wants and needs are best met by the newest batch of EVs (electric vehicles), which are at once often the most technologically cutting-edge and the most fuel-efficient.
In 2021, domestic electric vehicle sales rose to nearly 477,000, representing just 3.3% of total vehicle sales — but a whopping 81.5% increase over 2020. Many of the world’s major automakers have announced plans to dramatically increase electric vehicle production or phase out gasoline-powered vehicles entirely by 2035.
“EV sales, while small, are growing — and the signs are everywhere that the future is electric,” said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. “That future may arrive even faster, given consumer concerns about the environment, the political impacts of fossil fuel reliance, high gas prices, and the gradual phasing-out of gasoline-powered vehicles altogether.”
AAA’s Best Cars For 2022
Amid a dynamic car-buying environment, AAA today released its 2022 AAA Car Guide , an online resource for consumers looking to purchase a new vehicle. Of the 62 vehicles reviewed for this year’s edition, six are electric.
Notably, all category winners for 2022 are either electric, plug-in electric hybrid, or hybrid vehicles. In addition to being highly fuel-efficient, the winners are also loaded with the latest in advanced driver assistance systems.
The AAA Car Guide includes comprehensive reviews of each vehicle based on 12 criteria, including:
