A recent JD Power study based on tech experience from new car owners showed some interesting findings. For example, despite all the hype about hands-free automation, it doesn’t really “automatically improve the experience” for many car owners. Also, infotainment screens aren’t showing much value to car shoppers either, with over 35% having never even been used.
What caught our eye on this new report was something far simpler. In fact, it’s so simple you may not even know it’s working for your benefit.
Smart Tech To The Rescue
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma lower control panel with climate controlsJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
According to JD Power, “features that operate seamlessly in the background earn high satisfaction while generating relatively few problems. Smart ignition ranks highest in overall satisfaction and has one of the lowest problem counts at 2.4 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles).” Smart climate control is also mentioned as being a top-tier feature. But here’s the thing: neither feature is particularly complicated.
By smart ignition, we presume JD Power is referring predominantly to electric cars with a feature that, as you sit in the driver’s seat, turns the ar on and makes it ready to drive without having to push a start button. Then, when you open the door and leave the driver’s seat, the car will turn itself off. Some gas-engine and hybrid cars turn themselves off as well.
In short, it’s the seamless smart features that automate common functions that appeal to buyers. But if all this automation gives you heebie-jeebies about AI taking over your car, fear not. The smart tech people love isn’t really referring to some super-complicated AI or an algorithm making the changes happen.
How These Automations Work
Honda O Series Concept Interior Front Cabin TechHonda
It’s a simple automation that uses sensors as switches. If the driver’s door is opened and the seat pressure sensor is activated, the car turns on. If the door is opened and the seat pressure sensor is deactivated, the car turns off. It’s not much more impressive than Alexa turning the lights on when you get home.
For smart climate control, more sensors are being used, but it’s still programmed automation. It uses sensors for the outside temperature, inside temperature, occupancy, and a programmed if/and/or system to regulate the temperature. More advanced systems will change the air vents depending on how many occupants are sensed.
The automation can also account for whether a window is open, indicating that the occupants are comfortable with the ambient temperature, and turn the fans down or the AC off accordingly. Or, in theory, it can even reduce motion sickness.
“The technology customers value most is often the technology they barely notice because it simply works.”
-Doron Hikry, Director of Customer Success at JD Power.
Simple automations tend to just work. They don’t need machine learning (which is what popular culture calls AI), just specific sequences programmed based on “If,” “And,” and “Or” statements. For an oversimplified example: if the door closes and the driver’s seat is occupied, turn the car on. Or, if a key fob for the car isn’t detected, don’t turn the car on and flash the hazard lights five times. A smart HVAC system is more complicated, but still programmable.
It’s not rocket science, and it serves as a reminder that, more often than not, simpler is better.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class fully-funtional dashboard with all three display screensMercedes-Benz
What opens up possibilities for simple yet useful automations is a wealth of simple sensors. In reality, smart start technology is taking advantage of sensors cars already have. There are already door-open and door-closed sensors, so warning lights and sounds can activate. Passenger seat pressure sensors have been around for a long time, so the car can disable the passenger airbag(s) to prevent unnecessary deployment in a collision. Some automakers are simply making use of that.
Many automakers have been focusing hard on big, complicated, costly “statement” tech. But what we’re seeing here is that car owners want simple, thoughtful technology. The good news is that there are a ton of sensors already in cars, forming the basis for simple, reliable, inexpensive convenience. Giant screens, semi-automated driving, and fancy AI-based systems are none of those.
Source: JD Power
