Surveyed car buyers ranked several AI-powered features among their top 10 in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study, the scope of which has expanded to gauge the rapid advancement of in-vehicle tech.

Analysts say smart ignition, climate control and driver preferences helped drive customer satisfaction without adding reliability issues. Although most features and systems powered by AI are relatively new to market, they produced 6.3 fewer problems per vehicle in the 2025 study than they did a year ago.

More than 76,000 buyers of 2025-MY vehicles were surveyed as part of the study. In a release, J.D. Power Senior Director Kathleen Rizk said smart technology helps put drivers at ease by anticipating their needs and reducing their “cognitive workload.”

“Ultimately, what matters most to vehicle owners — and therefore to automakers and suppliers — is how useful the technology is and whether it enhances their driving experience,” Rizk writes. “While smart technologies are not without issues, they represent a meaningful step forward. Continued development will be essential to address current challenges and maximize their effectiveness.”

Read more at J.D. Power