It might not be a strict "preference", more of an expectation how things should be based on previous experience. Like, if you're used to an elevator with a bit of a jerk, an elevator taking you there just as fast but smoother might feel not as fast.
Yet it is a captive market. If I am in a building, I only have access to a singular type of elevator. Why not always give the smoothest ride possible unless it is $0.12 cheaper for the installer, so everyone has to suffer forever.
You could just as well ask "why not give the fastest ride possible so everyone saves time?"
An elevator that feels significantly different than the other elevators in the city probably results in more complaints to building management/maintenance about either "the elevator is too jerky!" or "the elevator is too slow!"