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Here at NowCar, we always like to keep tabs on auto shows, popular brands, awards, “best of” lists, and studies. Last month (September 2018), J.D. Power wrapped up their third annual Tech Experience Index Study that measured owners’ experiences, utilization, and interaction with 38 driver-centric vehicle technologies after 90 days of ownership. Two Kia Motors vehicles were named for their consumer tech. Recently, J.D. Power wrapped up their U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study, and the results again name Kia Motors more than once.
U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study
“In-car multimedia has been a problematic category for automakers for several years, as ever-more elaborate navigation, voice recognition and entertainment systems have proliferated in vehicles of every type…While the area is still the leading cause of new-vehicle complaints—with voice recognition technology continuing to lead the way as the number one complaint for a sixth consecutive year—we are seeing some serious improvement across the board, with some manufacturers really raising the bar on delivering quality multimedia technology experiences for their customers.” – Brent Gruber, Senior Director, Automotive Quality Practice, J.D. Power.
Going into its third year, 2018, the Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study is conducted every year to correctly analyze vehicle ownership experiences with the quality, design, and features of their automobile that relates to multimedia technology and entertainment, such as the sound system or hands-free features. Based on the last study, linked above, the auto industry is getting better at designing such tech - let’s see.
The study has a major focus on a vehicle’s quality, design, and features of their ACEN system in the first 90 days of ownership, or, the “in-car audio, communication, entertainment, and navigation” (ACEN) technologies. Like most studies by J.D. Power, the quality of such is determined by the number of problems a vehicle owner experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100). So keep that in mind, because the lower the number, the better the quality.
Who Won?
A number of brands and models were named for their respective segments. In the midsize car class, the Ford Mustang had the least PP100, followed by the Kia Sorento. The Kia Rio had the least PP100 in the small car segment, followed by the Chevy Bolt and Kia Sportage. For midsize premium vehicles, the Lincoln Continental had the least PP100, followed by the Chevy Corvette. For compact vehicles, the Kia Forte was at the top with the least PP100, followed by the Chevrolet Cruze.
When it comes to in-car audio, communication, entertainment, and navigation technologies, Kia and Chevrolet continue to impress us. Looking for your own vehicle with a great sound system and the latest technology? Shop for a car online with NowCar to find many of the vehicles above.