Overview
- J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index surveyed 68,084 owners of 2026 model‑year vehicles after 90 days and ranked 40 in‑car technologies by problems per 100 vehicles and owner satisfaction.
- Small, unobtrusive features scored highest, with smart ignition earning the best result at 2.4 problems per 100 vehicles because it starts and stops the car automatically without driver input.
- Passenger and large dashboard screens ranked worst for satisfaction, with more than one third of owners reporting they never used passenger screens and only 6 percent using them every trip.
- Drivers expressed more comfort with Level 2 driver‑assist systems that require active driver engagement than with Level 2+ hands‑free systems, while J.D. Power found similar but slightly different problem rates for each type.
- Independent simulation research shows touchscreen use degrades driving performance—examples include greater lane drift and slower, less accurate interactions—and insurers say big integrated screens raise repair costs and could push up collision and comprehensive premiums.