UK Survey: Over 25% of Car Owners Never Use Adaptive Cruise Control

A recent survey in the UK reveals a surprising trend: many car owners are not utilizing the advanced technological features equipped in their new vehicles. The study, commissioned by Dick Lovett and conducted by Censuswide, surveyed 1,350 UK car owners in the summer of 2026.

Results indicate that 25.9% of car owners with adaptive cruise control (ACC) have never used the feature. Furthermore, 7% admitted they don't know how to operate it even if they wanted to. This underutilization extends to other driver-assistance systems. Nearly 18% of drivers avoid using voice assistants, while almost 18% bypass lane-keeping assist. A significant 21.3% have opted to disable automatic emergency braking (AEB) altogether, citing the system's interventions as overly aggressive and bothersome.

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many car owners, some high-tech features have never been used, and some don't even know how to operate them.

Even comfort-oriented high-end features are not as popular as expected. Only about 22% of owners with massaging seats use them frequently. Augmented reality (AR) head-up displays see a usage rate of around 22.4%, and remote start functions are frequently used by only 24.5% of owners. In contrast, features that are simple to operate and highly practical are favored. A substantial 58.3% of owners stated that Bluetooth connectivity is a must-have, 45.7% frequently use backup cameras, and 44.5% rely on in-car navigation.

Age also appears to influence feature usage habits. Among those aged 25 to 34, Bluetooth usage reaches 68.5%, whereas it drops to 49.7% for individuals aged 55 and above. Wireless charging also shows a noticeable disparity across age groups. Experts at Dick Lovett suggest that as vehicle technology becomes more complex, owners who invest time in understanding their car's features can enhance their ownership value, safety, and overall driving experience.

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If owners spend time understanding their car's features, it can not only increase the value of the purchase but also enhance safety and the driving experience.