Study: These Car Brands Offer the Best Tech Experience in 2021

When it comes to in-car technology, Tesla and the Korean automakers have the edge over most of the auto industry according to J.D. Power’s 2021 Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study.

The TXI is based on responses from over 110,000 owners of new 2021 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. It analyzes 36 technologies split into four categories: convenience, emerging automation, energy and sustainability, and infotainment and connectivity.

Interestingly, for more than one in three advanced technologies, fewer than half of owners have used the technology in the first three months of ownership. For example, 61 percent of owners say they have never used the in-vehicle digital market technology (and 51 percent of those claim they have no need for it. Also, 52 percent say they have never used driver/passenger communication technology (with 40 percent of those saying they have no need for it).

Check out the photo gallery above to see the top 10 car brands with the best integration of advanced technologies in vehicles.

10. Subaru – 499 on a 1,000-point scale

9. Nissan – 502 on a 1,000-point scale

8. Kia – 510 on a 1,000-point scale

7. Hyundai – 519 on a 1,000-point scale

6. Mercedes-Benz – 523 on a 1,000-point scale

5. BMW – 545 on a 1,000-point scale

4. Volvo – 550 on a 1,000-point scale

3. Cadillac – 551 on a 1,000-point scale

2. Genesis – 634 on a 1,000-point scale

1. Tesla – 668 on a 1,000-point scale
*As in other J.D. Power studies, Tesla is not officially ranked because it doesn’t meet ranking criteria and data is insufficient. Its No. 1 spot therefore comes with an asterisk.