by Touchscreens in Cars: Convenience or Disappointment?
Automakers have been actively implementing digital dashboards with large screens and a minimum of buttons in recent years, considering this the key to success. However, according to a new study, this approach may backfire. Infotainment systems now generate the most complaints among new car owners in the first few months of ownership.
Although the number of problems related to multimedia systems has slightly decreased, touchscreens remain the main source of irritation. Moving functions such as climate control to a touchscreen complicates their use, forcing drivers to take their eyes off the road. This is prompting some manufacturers to reconsider their design approaches.
Functionality Is More Important Than Appearance
“While customers find large screens visually appealing, their functionality in the car becomes a source of frustration. Drivers have to switch between multiple screens to access basic functions,” explained Frank Hanley of J.D. Power.
He noted that a return to physical buttons for key functions could improve the user experience. Furthermore, the study uncovered a new problem—the mismatch of cup holders to the actual needs of drivers.
Quality Ratings: Who Leads and Who Lags?
Lexus topped the J.D. Power quality ranking with a score of 166 problems per 100 vehicles. It was followed by Nissan (169) and Hyundai (173). An unexpected leader was Jaguar, which took fourth place. The worst results were shown by Rivian (274), Audi (269), and Volvo (254).
Among models, the best results were demonstrated by General Motors vehicles such as the Buick Encore GX and Chevrolet Tahoe. Plug-in hybrid vehicles turned out to be the most problematic (237 complaints), while conventional gasoline models showed the best result (184).
New models, as always, had more problems (203) than those that remained unchanged (190). This is because updated designs often require refinements after launch. The latest data shows that automakers should focus not only on innovation but also on the practicality and reliability of their products.
