Gas mileage still top of mind for car buyers

Despite months of falling gas prices, fuel economy is still top of shoppers' minds at the dealership, according to a new study.

In fact, fuel economy remains one of the key reasons that influences new-car buyers the most for the fourth year in a row, finds the

J.D. Power and Associates' 12th annual U.S. Avoider Study, a report that examines the reasons consumers purchase, reject or avoid certain vehicles.

The study was based on responses from almost 30,000 owners who registered a new car or truck in April and May of last year.

Some 14% of new-vehicle owners listed gas mileage as the biggest reason for selecting their vehicle, the No. 1 reason consumers listed for avoiding certain models was exterior styling, with 30 percent of people listing that as the top reason.

Other study highlights include:

17% of new-vehicle shoppers avoided certain models because of cost and interior look/design.

16% avoided them because of low fuel economy.

14% of new-vehicle shoppers said they avoided a certain model because it lacked the latest technological features, up from 4 percent in 2014

.