Drivers complain about unhelpful vehicle tech in new research

Vehicle technology may be creating more problems than it’s solving, as car owners become increasingly frustrated with innovations that don’t enhance their driving experience.

Driving the news: J.D. Power’s Tech Experience Index Study found multiple features are confusing or even annoying consumers, despite the millions of dollars invested into the underlying technology by automakers.

• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) received mostly negative feedback. Systems that require hands on the wheel to function were reviewed especially poorly for their lack of usefulness.

• Recognition tech, including fingerprint readers, facial recognition and gesture controls were largely panned by survey respondents for failing to solve problems that don’t exist.

• Passenger-side infotainment screens offer little utility to owners, only 10% of whom drive with someone in the passenger seat on a daily basis.

Big picture: Automakers traded places in terms of tech satisfaction with some surprising developments.

• Tesla and Rivian continued to place well ahead of other brands in their innovation ratings, although they do not meet J.D. Power’s criteria for rank eligibility.

• While it still had the highest overall score, Tesla’s popularity appears to be declining due to low-utility tech, like direct driver monitoring.

• Genesis is the highest-ranked brand overall, marking its fourth year in a row at the top. Meanwhile, Hyundai ranks first among mass-market manufacturers for the fifth consecutive year.

Bottom line: While automakers need to continue investing in technology to stay competitive, they should also consider weighing the actual impact their innovations have on the driving experience. Cutting out features that don’t improve driver satisfaction will help them lower both costs and price tags.

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