J.D. Power's latest tech survey of 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles, taken after 90 days of ownership, found the features car owners appreciate most are the ones they barely notice. The findings push back against automakers' trend of packing cars with huge screens and software-heavy features. The article suggests consumers are increasingly fed up with large displays and glitchy software.
π The Backstory
Automakers have increasingly competed on digital interiors β giant touchscreens, streaming apps and subscription features β even as reliability complaints about buggy software have grown. J.D. Power's tech experience studies track how owners actually use and value these systems in real-world ownership.
π― Why It Matters
The survey challenges the industry assumption that flashy cabin tech sells cars, suggesting automakers may be over-investing in screens at the expense of usability and reliability. It could push carmakers to rethink which features genuinely justify their cost and complexity.
J.D. Power's latest tech survey of 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles, taken after 90 days of ownership, found the features car owners appreciate most are the ones they barely notice. The findings push back against automakers' trend of packing cars with huge screens and software-heavy features. The article suggests consumers are increasingly fed up with large displays and glitchy software.
Automakers have increasingly competed on digital interiors β giant touchscreens, streaming apps and subscription features β even as reliability complaints about buggy software have grown. J.D. Power's tech experience studies track how owners actually use and value these systems in real-world ownership.
The survey challenges the industry assumption that flashy cabin tech sells cars, suggesting automakers may be over-investing in screens at the expense of usability and reliability. It could push carmakers to rethink which features genuinely justify their cost and complexity.