It turns out that more technology in cars isn’t necessarily something customers want, and it’s not really improving their driving experience. We know my thoughts on the matter, but I’ll do my best to stay impartial on this latest survey from JD Power that shows most customers don’t appreciate technology in cars unless they can see a clear benefit to them.
JD Power’s 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study evaluated over 81,000 drivers’ experience with “advanced vehicle technologies” in 2024 model year vehicles after 90 days of ownership, It turned out to be a pretty mixed bag when it came to what people liked using. There are a number of tech features that customers like using because they feels that it answers their needs, but at the same time there is a whole lot that don’t get used very often or are continually annoying, according to the survey.
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Peak technology enjoyment in a car includes
How about the unnecessary tech that just shouldn’t be allowed.
At least in the US I feel like technology has leapfrogged regulation.
Electronic doors can just fuck right off… Just another thing to break… I’d even go so far to say motorized windows these are great until the motor dies and you can’t shut the window.
I’ve seen waaay more manual handles break than electric windows…but that might be somewhat biased by the sheer age of most of the cars with manual windows…still, rarely ever even heard of an electric one breaking…is that common where you live?
I hate electronic e-brakes. How am I supposed to impress women with handbrake turns without a hand brake?
I just use it for parking. And I like having a physical parking brake. I don’t trust the function of it when it’s just a button.
i absolutely love it when it’s paired with manual transmission and an auto-break function:
when you stop, for example at a red light, and press the break while standing still for a bit, it goes into auto-break mode.
when you then release the clutch while in gear (neutral gets ignored), it automatically releases the hand break, so you can perform a hand break assisted start from standstill without having to touch the actual hand break!
this is excellent when you’ve stopped at an incline, and generally really useful!
but i get the skepticism…i was extremely skeptical at first too, but you get used to it quickly and then it feels weird when it’s missing or turned off in another car… there’s just no reason not to use this feature it’s simply great!
My car has that and a manual handbrake and, yes, it is quite nice.
I’ve been driving spoiled with Lane Keep Assist. I’d like to continue to keep that as a thing in all cars.
Also, I used a Ford Escape as a rental this weekend, and holy shit I hate having to wait for the startup animation to complete so I can finally mess with the A/C and have it going on full blast after sitting in the hot sun all day. My Santa Cruz has actual buttons for all the climate control stuff and I had no idea I’d miss it so much until now.
I have to say I prefer launching climate control from my phone before I ever get in the car. And also I’d rather have the cabin try to keep a temperature automatically instead of forcing me to dick with the temp of the blowing air.
Comfortable seats
A suspension that is comfortable over bumps, but not floaty or bouncy and slightly firm under compression.
You’d like the 2020+ Q50 then
My current ride is peak technology imho: