Car buyers in India can’t stop asking for this feature: Report

Car buyers in India can’t stop asking for this feature.

As temperatures continue to soar across the country, a new consumer trend is taking shape in India’s car market — and it’s not the sunroof. According to a recent survey conducted by Park+ Research Labs, a staggering 78% of car owners now prioritise ventilated seats above any other feature when buying a car.

The pan-India survey, which gathered insights from 6,000 car owners, highlights a clear shift in buyer preferences. The rising heat levels has led to a sharp rise in demand for fully ventilated seats — a feature that was once limited to premium models but is now increasingly being offered across segments by brands like Hyundai, Kia, Tata, Volkswagen, and MG.
Interestingly, sunroofs – once considered a must-have by many seem to be losing their shine. Only 11% of respondents rated it as an essential feature, citing concerns about practicality, frequent maintenance issues, and even water leakage during monsoons. While they still remain aspirational for some, sunroofs no longer appear to be a deal-breaker.

ADAS and other safety technologies also didn’t top the wishlist, with just 8% of participants calling them a must-have. Analysts believe this could point to a changing mindset among consumers, who now view safety as a given in modern cars rather than a bonus. It could also reflect growing confidence in manufacturers’ commitment to standard safety packages.
Large infotainment screens, often seen as flashy upgrades in recent launches, were ranked lowest in priority, with only 3% of buyers considering them essential. The latest data suggests Indian car buyers are now more focused on functional comfort over style-driven features.