BMW, Hyundai Score Big in Tech Satisfaction

BMW and Hyundai have the most segment winners in a new J.D. Power study that measures how satisfied consumers are with in-car technologies.

Power’s U.S. Tech Experience Index measures owner experiences within the first 90 days of ownership in six categories: collision protection, comfort/convenience, driving assistance, entertainment/connectivity, navigation and smartphone mirroring.

The inaugural study finds owners the most satisfied with collision avoidance features and the least satisfied with navigation systems. The most-used technologies are backup cameras and blind spot warning devices.

The survey names winners in seven vehicle segments. BMW won with its 2 Series (small premium) and 4 Series (compact premium) cars. Hyundai’s sector leaders are the Tucson (small) and Genesis (midsize premium).

Other segment winners for 2016 are the Kia Forte (compact), Chevrolet Camaro (midsize) and Nissan Maxima (large).

Satisfaction indexes vary significantly by vehicle segment. Large cars rate highest (755), followed by small premium (735), compact premium (732), midsize premium (731) compact (727), midsize (725) and small (706)

But the overall satisfaction score for luxury vehicles (734) is only four points better than the average for non-premium cars. Power says high scores are a matter of good execution rather than the sheer number of tech features built into a car.

The study also emphasizes that owners are often unaware of the technologies available in their vehicles. In many cases, they try out a new feature, have trouble understanding it and stop using it. When dealers explain such features, owner satisfaction scores go up 25-54 points, according to Power.