Drivers Say New Vehicle Technology is Hit or Miss—Want More Hits?

J.D. Power released its 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study results, indicating that while drivers praised some new tech and features in their vehicles, they’re not too happy with others. For example, AI-based smart climate control is a winner, while facial recognition and fingerprint readers weren’t a big hit due to a lack of functionality and problematic design elements. Also in the loss column is interior gesture controls, with a whopping 43.4 problems per 100 vehicles. Criticism by 21% again includes lack of functionality. Owners also don’t like passenger screens, rating many active driver assistance technologies lower than most advanced driver assistance features.

Tesla, Rivian, and Polestar vehicles did not have vehicle registrations in all 50 states and were not represented in the poll. Many Tesla owners still weighed in, praising the company’s software platform and tech features. On the index, Tesla’s score was higher than that of other brands, even though it was not ranked. Rivian and Polestar’s scores were well over the study average.

Genesis ranked highest with a score of 584 out of 1,000, while its own parent company, Hyundai, topped the mass-market category with 518. Luxury brands Lexus and BMW followed Genesis with scores of 535 and 528, and Kia and GMC landed second- and third-place spots in the mass-market category, with 499 and 439, respectively. Tesla’s unranked score was 786, followed by Rivian (666) and Polestar (578).

What’s the message? Provide consumers with fully integrated, useful, well-tested features that serve a purpose. Auto companies might want to look at the features that Tesla, Rivian, and Polestar drivers rated highly and integrate technologies needed to deliver greater functionality rather than poorly integrated, buggy, or useless “features.”