There has been a change at the top when it comes to the add-on features that CarMax’s used-car buyers most often purchase.

The best-selling add-on for these used-car buyers is now leather interior, according to CarMax sales data analyzed in the company’s 2015 Used Car Shopping Report.

Remote start technology was the most popular add-on last year and ranked second this year. Third was theft recovery systems, fourth was collision avoidance features and fifth was headrest video systems.

Leather interiors may have topped the list nationally, but there were some regional differences. Remote start technology, for one, is still No. 1 in the Northeast and Midwest, where the climate can get a little chillier than other areas of the country.

Meanwhile, leather interior is tops in the South and West.

Another add-on gaining some traction is what the company describes as convenience/entertainment features and luxury upgrades, according to a survey of 1,000 adults conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of CarMax. The report gives navigation systems and satellite radio as examples.

Cliff Wood, executive vice president of stores for CarMax, said:  “When it comes to add-ons and upgrades, features that keep consumers connected and comfortable continue to be popular.”

Wish List Upgrades

An Ipsos Public Affairs survey on vehicle convenience and entertainment or luxury upgrades, which was commissioned by CarMax, sheds a bit of light on the aspirations of used-car shoppers.

“When asked if purchasing a used car were to make convenience upgrade features suddenly more affordable, just under a third of respondents (30 percent) said that they would be most interested in a navigation system, while one in five would opt for remote start (21 percent),” CarMax said in its news release on the report. “Park assist is more popular among Millennials than Baby Boomers (14 percent versus 9 percent).”

Drilling down into entertainment or luxury upgrades, tops on the list were satellite radio (19 percent) and stereo systems (18 percent). Next were leather interiors and sunroofs.

Peeking further ahead to upgrade features not yet available in used cars, the “greatest wish” cited by 23 percent of respondents was a self-cleaning car. 

To see even more details about CarMax's finding, check out the inforgraphic accompanying the report.