Some automakers do a much better job of integrating advanced technology than others. That’s the key finding from JD Power’s 2024 Tech Experience Index Research, who asked new car owners which technical gadgets cause headaches and which ones they really appreciate.
JD Power Ranked the problems owners had with new tech features on a “problems per 100 vehicles” (PP100) scale. Based on that ranking, automakers earned an overall score out of 1,000, with Genesis taking first place among premium brands and Hyundai winner in the mass market brands category.
Lexus And BMW completed the top three premium brands, while Come on And GMC earned second and third place among mass market brands. JD Power’s director of benchmarking and user experience technology said, “A strong advanced technology strategy is crucial for all vehicle manufacturers and many innovative technologies are responding to customer needs. At the same time, this year’s study makes it clear that owners find some technologies of little use and/or are consistently annoying.”
The organization is divided into 40 automotive technologies in four categories: convenience, emerging automation, energy and sustainability, and infotainment and connectivity. The research found that individual vehicles excelled in certain features, such as the Toyota Sequoiawhich won an award for ease of use for its rear-view mirror camera system.
The Genesis GV70 won an award for emerging automation for its front cross-traffic alert systems among premium brands, while the Kia Carnival adopted the name in the mass market segment. The BMW iX received an energy and sustainability award in the premium segment for its one-pedal driving systems, while the BMW X6 And Hyundai Santa Fe won awards for infotainment and connectivity for phone-based key systems.
J.D. Power surveyed 81,296 new car owners who had made a purchase in the past 90 days. The organization conducts multiple studies each year in addition to the U.S. Tech Experience Index Study. It also surveys buyers for its U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL) and the US Initial Quality Study (IQS).