All automakers are racing to integrate new high-tech features into their cars, but not all are doing it equally well. Hyundai and its Genesis luxury brand are doing well, according to a new J.D. Power study. Mazda is the most struggling mass-market brand, while Porsche lags behind in the luxury sector.
JD Power’s U.S. Tech Experience Index study shows the number of issues new car owners report when using their vehicle’s cabin technology (infotainment system, camera, phone integration) and automatic safety features such as automatic emergency braking. I’m paying attention to
Automakers vary greatly in how well they implement each idea.
Scores Show Great Variation
Rear Seat Reminder — A system that detects when someone opens the rear door before the vehicle starts moving and notifies the driver to check the back seat when the drive ends, preventing children or pets from accidentally being left in the vehicle minimize the risk of According to a JD Power analyst, even the best of these systems generated only 1.9 problem reports per 100 cars. The worst result was 26.2.
Related: JD Power Study — Initial quality of new cars is declining
This large variability shows that technology implementations may or may not be successful. Kathleen Rizk, Senior Director of User Experience Her Benchmarks and Technology at JD Power explains: This means that some people are more thoroughly innovating on a particular technology, while others are struggling with its execution. “
Demos go a long way
Dealership experience is different. Analysts say that when dealers demonstrate how to use the technology, drivers are more likely to be satisfied with the technology and less likely to abandon it.
Related: The 10 Best Automotive Techs of 2022
Fingerprint scanners, first introduced in 2022, have proven to be the most problematic technology. 54 complaints were generated per 100 vehicles. JD Power said it was “a missed opportunity as many owners use fingerprint technology to access their smartphones.”
Score
JD Power analysts translate the report into a scale of 1,000 points, with higher scores indicating higher owner satisfaction. Luxury car makers tend to score higher because they have more high-tech features.
Some states require automakers to consent to JD Power collecting data. Tesla and Polestar declined to participate. JD Power publishes unofficial scores based on state data that do not require automaker consent.
Based on that limited data, both would have worked. Tesla would have taken the top spot with his 681 points. Polestar had him 608 points and he was second.
Mainstream brands:
| brand | Score |
| hyundai | 534 |
| Kia | 495 |
| buick | 482 |
| GMC | 482 |
| Subaru | 482 |
| RAM | 475 |
| chevrolet | 471 |
| Nissan | 465 |
| Toyota | 465 |
| dodge | 464 |
| mitsubishi | 464 |
| jeep | 463 |
| Volkswagen | 456 |
| mini | 447 |
| ford | 444 |
| chrysler | 429 |
| Honda | 429 |
| mazda | 387 |
Luxury brands:
| brand | Score |
| genesis | 643 |
| Cadillac | 584 |
| Mercedes-Benz | 539 |
| volvo | 526 |
| BMW | 516 |
| land rover | 509 |
| infinity | 492 |
| Lexus | 491 |
| jaguar | 488 |
| Lincoln | 482 |
| Acura | 470 |
| audi | 454 |
| alfa romeo | 447 |
| Porsche | 439 |
