The auto industry faces two challenges as technology systems become more complex. One is that drivers find them so complicated that they do not use them. The other is that the technology requires components that are not always available. A semiconductor chip shortage, which includes those often used in auto electronics systems, has severely limited what manufacturers can build. This has hurt manufacturer earnings and has driven car supplies down and car prices up.
And, times have changed. Three decades ago, American cars were technologically primitive by today’s standards. Airbags were not mandatory until 1991. Today, the advances have come so far that people anticipate having safe, self-driving cars by the end of the decade.
J.D. Power, probably the most widely respected car research firm in America, has just released its 2021 U.S. Tech Experience Index. It divides car technology into these four measures: “convenience; emerging automation; energy and sustainability; and infotainment and connectivity.” The study involved 110,827 people with new 2021 model vehicles after they had been owned for 90 days.
Speaking about the use of these new technologies, Kristin Kolodge, executive director of human machine interface at J.D. Power, pointed out: “New-vehicle prices are at an all-time high, partly as a result of an increased level of content. This is fine if owners are getting value for their money, but some features seem like a waste to many owners.”
“Non-users” of new technologies said they do not need the features. In other words, buyers are paying for features they feel are useless.
Cars in the study were divided into two groups: mass-market and premium cars. J.D. Power ranked each car brand on a 1,000-point scale.
Among all the cars regardless of category, Genesis, the luxury brand of Hyundai scored the best with a rating of 634. The number is impressive in part because it did not operate separately from its parent in the U.S. until 2015
Genesis follows the multi decade trend of Asian mainstream car companies which create an independent luxury brand. This includes Lexus from Toyota, Infiniti from Nissan, and Acura from Honda.
Click here to see the car with the best technology
Source: yocamon / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. Mitsubishi
> Score: 373/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Mini Cooper
31. MINI
> Score: 424/1,000 points
24/7 Wall St.
Source: juanelo242a / Flickr
30. Jeep
> Score: 424/1,000 points
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
29. Porsche
> Score: 428/1,000 points
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Luca Piccini Basile / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
28. Alfa Romeo
> Score: 429/1,000 points
Source: Artistic Operations / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
27. Dodge
> Score: 434/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: Angel Di Bilio / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. Chrysler
> Score: 434/1,000 points
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
25. Acura
> Score: 436/1,000 points
Source: Emirhan Karamuk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. Honda
> Score: 438/1,000 points
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
23. Jaguar
> Score: 449/1,000 points
Source: msvg / Flickr
22. Volkswagen
> Score: 451/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
21. Mazda
> Score: 459/1,000 points
24/7 Wall St.
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Chevrolet
> Score: 468/1,000 points
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
19. Audi
> Score: 469/1,000 points
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Emirhan Karamuk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
18. Ford
> Score: 470/1,000 points
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
17. Toyota
> Score: 472/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: DarthArt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. Infiniti
> Score: 477/1,000 points
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Buick
> Score: 478/1,000 points
Source: duckycards / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
14. Ram
> Score: 483/1,000 points
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: YuriyVlasenko / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
13. Lexus
> Score: 485/1,000 points
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
12. Land Rover
> Score: 487/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: bukharova / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Lincoln
> Score: 496/1,000 points
Source: Artistic Operations / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. GMC
> Score: 498/1,000 points
Source: ollo / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
9. Subaru
> Score: 499/1,000 points
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Emirhan Karamuk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. Nissan
> Score: 502/1,000 points
Source: Courtesy of Kia
7. Kia
> Score: 510/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: Emirhan Karamuk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Hyundai
> Score: 519/1,000 points
Source: Artistic Operations / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. Mercedes-Benz
> Score: 523/1,000 points
Source: Emirhan Karamuk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
4. BMW
> Score: 545/1,000 points
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
3. Volvo
> Score: 550/1,000 points
Source: Artistic Operations / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. Cadillac
> Score: 551/1,000 points
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Genesis
1. Genesis
> Score: 634/1,000 points
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
