Although new cars are loaded with safety and technological amenities, more technology isn’t always better for consumers. According to J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study, owners of new cars can have conflicting opinions about the abundance of amenities; some find the technology to be amazing, while others find it to be annoying.
The company uses a “problems per 100 vehicles” (PP100) measure to rate the features of automobiles. According to a new performance statistic J.D. Power incorporated in this year’s study, owners reported 43.4 PP100 for gesture controls, with 21% of them stating that the feature lacked utility. Numerous hands-free driving assistance systems and other equipment were shown to be less useful, and the study found that the more sophisticated versions of these devices performed little better.
Nevertheless, a few advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) scored well. Owners choose technologies that solve a specific driving requirement, like blind spot monitoring, over new innovations they don’t fully comprehend.
When asked about passenger display screens, few owners gave positive answers; many said the item was “not necessary.” Though just 10% of cars typically have front passengers, automakers have pushed for additional screens in higher-end models, and dealers have had difficulty instructing owners on how to operate the screens.
One of the most technologically advanced automakers now on the market, Tesla is going through growing pains as it moves from enthusiastic early adopters to more mainstream consumers. This year’s survey showed a decreasing trend in several of the company’s offerings, with innovation like the direct driver monitoring system creating problems for owners.
Within ninety days of the vehicles’ purchase, J.D. Power gathered responses from about eight2,000 owners of 2024 model-year automobiles. The group unveiled a new return on investment study this year, and it will use it to assist automakers in choosing the finest technological features for future cars.
