Packing in as much screen space as possible into car interiors has been one of the quickest growing trends in automotive AV as of late, but a new survey shows that it might not be leaving consumers impressed. J.D. Power has released its 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study, revealing that some car tech innovations are praised by consumers–while others have missed the mark.
The survey, which polled 81,926 owners of new 2024 model-year vehicles, shows that drivers are keen on AI integration, but critical of new recognition features such as facial recognition or fingerprint readers. Moreover, interior gesture controls were lambasted by survey responders (reporting 43.4 problems per 100 vehicles), with 21% of owners saying that these controls lack functionality.
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Most interesting is the survey’s information on interior screens. While companies like Lincoln are going all-in on screen space, the response with drivers have been lackluster, with users criticizing passenger-side screen usability. Those polled categorized these types of screens as “not necessary,” with only 10% of drivers reporting they carry front-seat passengers daily.
“A strong advanced tech strategy is crucial for all vehicle manufacturers, and many innovative technologies are answering customer needs,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. “At the same time, this year’s study makes it clear that owners find some technologies of little use and/or are continually annoying. J.D. Power’s ability to calculate the return on investment for individual technologies is a major step in enabling carmakers to determine the technologies that deserve the most attention while helping them ease escalating costs for new vehicles.”
You can download a copy of the full 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study here.
