Car owners rate unobtrusive technologies highest — The Verge
Owners of new cars rate technologies that work almost imperceptibly and do not complicate driving the highest. This is indicated by the results of a JD Power survey, The Verge reports.
JD Power surveyed 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles after 90 days of use. The study covered 40 automotive technologies, including comfort and convenience systems, connected cars, driver-assistance systems, electric vehicles, and “smart” features.
Automatic features received the highest ratings
Intelligent vehicle ignition systems and climate-control systems were among the leaders. The ignition system automatically turns the vehicle on and off depending on the driver’s actions, while “smart” HVAC systems use artificial intelligence to adjust the cabin climate with comfort and efficiency in mind.
The intelligent ignition system demonstrated the highest overall satisfaction level: 2.4 problems per 100 vehicles. JD Power Customer Success Director Doron Hicri said that automakers should prioritize technologies that simplify driving rather than make it more complicated.
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Passenger screens and automation
Passenger screens installed in the dashboard opposite the passenger received the lowest satisfaction ratings. More than one-third of owners of cars with this feature said they had never used the screen, while only 6% said they used it on every trip.
Respondents also preferred Level 2 automation systems for their design and user experience quality over Level 2 Plus systems, which allow hands-free driving on certain roads. In Level 2 systems, the driver must keep their hands on the steering wheel. At the same time, their problem rate was slightly higher: 14.3 per 100 vehicles versus 13.8 for Level 2 Plus systems.
Other recognized technologies included camera mirrors, blind-spot monitoring cameras, digital keys, one-pedal driving, and electric-vehicle charging planners.
