Automakers Still Struggling With Infotainment Systems, So Far Here Are The Best For Each Segment

The study measures the experiences and opinions of vehicle owners regarding the quality, design and features of their ACEN system in the first 90 days of ownership. Multimedia system quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Top-performing vehicles in each segment are as follows:

• Small Mass Market: Kia Rio
• Compact Mass Market: Kia Forte
• Midsize Mass Market: Ford Mustang
• Large Mass Market: Ford Taurus
• Small Premium: BMW 2 Series
• Compact Premium: Porsche 718
• Midsize Premium: Lincoln Continental
• Large Premium: BMW 7 Series

“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,” said Brent Gruber, Senior Director, Automotive Quality Practice, J.D. Power. “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.”

Data for the annual Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study is derived from each year’s J.D. Power Vehicle Quality Survey (VQS). The data is augmented with supplier sourcing information where available, which affords multimedia suppliers with a comprehensive view of the overall multimedia industry, as well as the performance of individual products and systems, and problems that owners experience.

atc98092 - 9/19/2018 12:19:27 PM

+1 Boost

Subaru finally released a firmware update that seems to have resolved the issues with the 2018 Outback Harman/Kardon system. I am now comfortable telling people that it works well and sounds good. I'm told the audio during a Bluetooth phone call is the best they have heard. Having Car Play and AA make it icing on the cake.

TomM - 9/19/2018 12:39:36 PM

+2 Boost

For at least a few years - the UConnect system that FCA has in their vehicles has been at least reasonably fast - easy to use and navigate - and not that hard to understand. Of course it offered less than some competition - but that is what YOu would expect. However - for a person who still uses CDs in the car - I would even like a cassette player if I could get one - these systems offer things that are nice- but seem to be more like features that can be added to a list rather than something you would regularly use. At least it is still illegal for any car to have a display that a driver could read AUTO SPIES from the drivers seat while driving the car.

wilfred - 9/19/2018 12:53:03 PM

+6 Boost

Smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay & Android Auto) is the best. Constantly updating & not much learning curve for those that have more than one car and/or get new often...

dumpsty - 9/19/2018 2:58:06 PM

+2 Boost

Agreed.

As soon as automakers get something that looks nice, uses the current tech, & operates well; the available tech or software get a huge update. Then all of a sudden, the automakers are playing catch-up again.

valhallakey - 9/19/2018 10:56:06 PM

+1 Boost

They should just have a mount for your iPad or tablet to fit into. No real learning curve needed, constant updates, hopefully the way it connects can last for years and you can get upgraded tablets over time... and you can take it with you if you want. Of course if you broke your tablet I suppose that could be an issue until you could get a new one.