Consumer Reports National Research Center recently surveyed consumers about which high-tech safety and infotainment features top their must-have list for their next car, and side-curtain airbags were the leading vote getter (79 percent). The next most desired features were blind-spot detection (65 percent) and navigation (63 percent).

Forward-collision warning and a backup camera made the list for 58 percent of respondents, respectively.

The other features cited were stability control (56 percent), HID or LED headlamps (52 percent), Bluetooth phone connectivity (51 percent), lane-departure warning (40 percent) and smartphone app integration (39 percent).

Not surprisingly, technology preferences were influenced by the age of the survey respondent. Among drivers 44 years old and younger, Bluetooth connectivity made the must-have list for 61 percent. Among older drivers, Bluetooth was required by just 41 percent.

Among older drivers, the big winners were blind-spot detection (70 percent) and forward-collision warning (62 percent).

The phone survey was conducted in December. A total of 1,578 adult drivers participated.