Although car manufacturers continue to equip new models with larger screens and more advanced electronic systems, drivers' preferences are not as much for flashy technologies as might be thought. According to JD Power's report, vehicle owners are mostly more satisfied with simple technologies that work seamlessly in the background.
The Most Loved Technologies Are Simple Ones
JD Power prepared its research with the opinions of 68,084 vehicle owners who have been using their 2026 model vehicles for 90 days. The study examined 40 technologies, including comfort, connectivity, driving assistance systems, electric vehicles, and smart vehicle features.
The smart start system received the highest satisfaction. The system, which allows the vehicle to be started without removing the key, encountered only 2.4 problems per 100 vehicles. Smart climate control was also one of the features providing high satisfaction.
Passenger Screens Did Not Receive Expected Interest
However, passenger screens, increasingly common in new vehicles, yielded poor results in the study. These systems reported 21.3 problems per 100 vehicles. While 35% of users with a screen stated they never used the system, only 6% reported using it on every drive.
More advanced driving assistance systems also did not increase user satisfaction. Level 2 (or Level 2) systems, which require hands on the steering wheel, received higher scores than more advanced Level 2+ hands-free systems in terms of both user experience and overall satisfaction.
Interestingly, despite a slightly lower number of reported problems with Level 2+ systems, traditional Level 2 technologies outperformed them in terms of user satisfaction. This indicates that technically more advanced technology alone does not necessarily translate to a better user experience.
Hyundai Leads the Mass Market
In the brand rankings of the study, Cadillac emerged as the leader in the premium segment. The brand scored 641 out of 1,000, securing the top spot in the premium innovation category. Cadillac was followed by Genesis with 559 points and BMW with 524 points.
Among mass-market brands, Hyundai stood out. With 524 points, Hyundai became the leader in the overall market for the seventh consecutive year. GMC and Kia shared second place with 470 points.
Different features also garnered attention in the model-based technology awards. The Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Tundra stood out with their camera-based side mirrors, while blind-spot cameras, digital keys, one-pedal driving, and electric vehicle charging planners also received awards in their respective categories.
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