Gas Mileage Remains First Priority For Buyers, JD Power Says

U.S. gas prices have now hit six-year lows, and many analysts believe that cheap gasoline will hurt sales of fuel-efficient cars.

Paying less for gas removes much of the financial incentive of switching to a more-efficient car, encouraging consumers to turn back to gas guzzlers--or so goes the narrative.

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However, that may not be the case this time around. At least, thus far.

Fuel economy remains the most important criteria for consumers when purchasing a new car, according to the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Avoider Study (via The Car Connection).

The research firm arrived at that conclusion after surveying 30,000 owners who registered a new vehicle during April and May 2014. They were asked what most motivated them to buy their vehicles.

Out of that sample, 14 percent of respondents cited fuel economy as their top concern--more than any of the other categories.

In addition, 16 percent listed poor fuel economy as the top reason for not buying a certain vehicle.

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Bad gas mileage wasn't as much of a turn-off as unattractive exterior styling--which drove away 30 percent of buyers--but it came close behind cost and interior design, both of which garnered 17 percent of the negative vote.