Cars that think for you? J.D. Power study shows AI is here but some features miss the green light

Cars that can anticipate your needs may sound futuristic, but according to the latest J.D. Power study, that future is already parked in driveways across the US.

The research firm says artificial intelligence (AI) is already creeping into everyday driving.

From climate control that adjusts itself automatically to systems that remember your driving preferences, AI is reshaping the way people interact with their cars.

But while some of these features are winning fans, others are still stalling out.

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J.D. Power Study shows that some features aren’t very helpful

The new smart vehicle category includes seven AI-based technologies, and several of them ranked among the best in both customer satisfaction and low reported problems.

Smart ignition and smart climate control, for example, are designed to reduce hassle and make cars feel more intuitive.

Kathleen Rizk, senior director at J.D. Power, explained that these tools don’t just add convenience but also lighten the ‘cognitive workload’ of driving.

In short, cars that can predict what you need make the overall experience smoother and less frustrating, like the Mercedes S580 that has a super smart lane-changing feature.

Still, not every innovation is a success story.

Car wash mode, which is supposed to automatically prep your vehicle for a wash, is drawing complaints for being buried deep in infotainment menus and slow to activate.

More than one-third of drivers said they need better instructions to use it, and 15 percent said it simply takes too long to work.

Meanwhile, recognition and authentication technologies, like biometric logins and driver monitoring, are causing headaches due to inconsistent performance.

An example of this would be the Tire-Pressure Monitoring System in the Honda Civic, which startled a driver when it gave an unexpected alert out of nowhere.

Instead of feeling futuristic, these systems often feel finicky.

Features that are big winners

Some features, however, are undisputed wins.

Blind spot cameras top the list, as most people don’t fancy having to DIY their own solutions to eliminate blind spots.

According to the J.D. Power study, 93 percent of owners say they use them regularly, and three-quarters want them in their next car.

Models that offer the feature even sell faster on dealer lots, proving that sometimes it’s the straightforward innovations that resonate most with buyers.

As for brands, Genesis once again leads the pack in innovation among premium automakers, while Hyundai holds the crown in the mass-market category.

Kia, Cadillac, and Lincoln also earned high marks, with several models taking home awards for standout tech like digital keys and advanced driver assist systems.

The bottom line is that drivers are open to smart technology, but it has to be useful, simple, and reliable.

For automakers, this means the race isn’t just about packing in futuristic features, but making sure those features actually make driving better.

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