The Most High-Tech and Low-Tech Car Brands: Every Major Brand Ranked

Special Report

Published: February 14, 2024 12:28 pm

Self-driving cars may be the ultimate goal in car technology, but for now new advanced vehicle technology features sometimes enhance the driving experience and other times are just a source for potential problems and do not satisfy drivers. For example, owners of electric vehicles experience more problems with advanced technology than owners of internal combustion engine vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study.

In fact, the study found that 17 of the 21 advanced features offered on both engine types have more quality problems per 100 vehicles for BEVs (excluding Tesla) than for ICE vehicles. The features with the largest gaps between the two types are remote parking assistance and interior gesture controls. Overall, the study analyzed 40 automotive technologies, divided into four categories: convenience; emerging automation; energy and sustainability; and infotainment and connectivity. (Also see, The 9 Worst Gasoline Brands in America.)

“Innovation through a strong advanced tech strategy is crucial for all vehicle manufacturers,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. “Success will be dependent on those manufacturers that can execute flawlessly, while ensuring the user experience is the same for those who are tech savvy and those who are not.”

To find the most high-tech and low-tech car brand, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the J.D. Power study, adding sales volume figures for each car brand from Goodcarbadcar. The J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study is based on responses from 82,472 owners of new 2023 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership from February through May 2023. Car brands are listed here from lowest tech innovation to highest except for Polestar and Tesla, which J.D. Power does not consider rank eligible.

The car brands measured in the study have an average score of 588 out of 1,000 among premium brands and 478 among mass-market brands. Genesis ranks highest overall for tech innovation for the third consecutive year, with Cadillac and Lexus ranking second in a tie. Hyundai ranks highest among mass-market brands for the fourth consecutive year, with Kia and GMC ranking second and third, respectively, in the segment. (Here are The 15 Most Affordable SUVs for 2024.)

J.D. Power also gave specific car models awards in each of the four categories. In the convenience category, the Chevrolet Corvette received the award for its ground view camera technology, as did the Toyota Sequoia in the mass market segment for the same technology. The emerging automation award went to the Genesis GV80 in the premium segment for its front cross traffic warning and to the Hyundai Palisade in the mass market segment for its reverse automatic emergency braking. The one pedal driving technology won the award in the energy and sustainability category for the BMW iX and MINI Cooper. Finally, in the infotainment and connectivity category, the BMW 3 Series received the award, as did the Chevrolet Tahoe and Hyundai Sonata in the mass market segment.

Not rank eligible — Polestar

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 591 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (2nd lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
Parent company global headquarters: Hangzhou, China

Not rank eligible — Tesla

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 773 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (12th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Tesla Inc.
Parent company global headquarters: Austin, Texas

32. Mazda

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 394 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (13th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Mazda Motor Corp.
Parent company global headquarters: Hiroshima, Japan

31. Jaguar

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 411 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (the lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: JLR/Tata Motors
Parent company global headquarters: Mumbai, India (for Tata Motors)

30. Dodge

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 424 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (16th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Stellantis
Parent company global headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

29. Chrysler

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 436 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (12th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Stellantis
Parent company global headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

28. Mitsubishi

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 440 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (10th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
Parent company global headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

27. Porsche

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 451 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (8th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Volkswagen Group
Parent company global headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany

25-tie. Volkswagen

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 452 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (15th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Volkswagen Group
Parent company global headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany

25-tie. Honda

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 452 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (4th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Honda Motor Company
Parent company global headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

24. Jeep

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 453 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (8th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Stellantis
Parent company global headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

23. MINI

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 454 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (4th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: BMW Group
Parent company global headquarters: Munich, Germany

22. Audi

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 456 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (17th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Volkswagen Group
Parent company global headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany

21. Alfa Romeo

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 458 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (3rd lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Stellantis
Parent company global headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

20. Toyota

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 459 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (2nd highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Toyota Motor Corp.
Parent company global headquarters: Toyota, Japan

18-tie. Ford

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 462 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (the highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Ford Motor Co.
Parent company global headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan

18-tie. Buick

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 462 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (15th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: General Motors Company
Parent company global headquarters: Detroit, Michigan

17. Nissan

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 466 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (5th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
Parent company global headquarters: Yokohama, Japan (for Nissan Motor Corporation)

16. Acura

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 472 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (13th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Honda Motor Company
Parent company global headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

15. Chevrolet

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 480 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (3rd highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: General Motors Company
Parent company global headquarters: Detroit, Michigan

14. Subaru

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 481 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (9th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Subaru Corp.
Parent company global headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

13. Ram

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 483 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Mass market
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (11th highest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Stellantis
Parent company global headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

12. Infiniti

2023 U.S. tech experience index score: 485 out of 1,000
Car brand segment: Premium
U.S. sales volume in 2023: 133,839 units (5th lowest of 34 brands)
Parent company: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
Parent company global headquarters: Yokohama, Japan (for Nissan Motor Corporation)