12/30/2025

Survey: Over half of U.S. vehicle owners say new cars have too much technology

Source: aftermarket MATTERS

As new vehicles arrive on dealership lots, so too does the automotive industry’s latest technology, from touch screens to self-driving cars. But instead of embracing all the new tech, new findings from Enterprise Mobility’s second annual “On the Move” survey suggest that many drivers seek a balance.

Safety is a key consideration for consumers, with nearly half (47%) preferring to have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and features in their vehicles, including blind spot detection, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning. And everyday tools such as GPS and Bluetooth are still considered must-haves.

However, 54% of Americans believe new cars have too much technology, Enterprise Mobility reports. Over half indicate they would prefer a mix of touch screens and physical buttons, while nearly three-quarters (72%) are concerned about repair costs.

Notably, nearly 7 in 10 drivers say they would willingly give up the latest tech for a more affordable vehicle (68%).

Other highlights from the survey

• Nearly a quarter (21%) are choosing to drive rather than fly more often this year than last year.

 

• Around 1 in 4 employees are commuting to the office more this year than last. 89% of those whose commute times have increased, increased by less than an hour, with the average increase being 16 minutes.

 

• An additional 11% of those whose commute times increased say they increased by more than an hour.

 

• The majority (54%) of Americans say they would be more willing to go into the office if their employer provided commuter benefits.

 

• When asked the top three factors inhibiting a car purchase over the next two years, affordability takes center stage. Concerns include: “I can’t afford the type of car I want” (34%), “interest rates are too high” (31%) and “cars are too costly to maintain” (24%).

 

• Among respondents who use mass rapid transit at least monthly, usage is up year-over-year for Gen Z (30% in 2025 vs. 27% in 2024) and Millennials (24% in 2025 vs. 18% in 2024).

Although fewer than 1-in-5 respondents said they desire high or full automation, Gen Z and Millennials were most likely to prefer high or full automation in their vehicle, indicating younger generations are more accepting of advanced vehicle technology.

As drivers navigate this tech shift, rentals are becoming more than just a convenience. U.S. drivers may be viewing rentals as a good way to test new features before making a long-term commitment. In fact, nearly half (48%) of U.S. drivers say they expect rental vehicles to have all the latest technology.