Reduced Quality, Shift Towards Entertainment and Increased Cupholder Availability, Issues and Annoyances with PHEV Models
In the latest U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) by J.D. Power, released in 2025, there has been a slight improvement in vehicle quality, with the PP100 score falling from 194 to 192 [1]. However, the study also highlighted some specific areas of concern, particularly touchscreen integration and infotainment systems.
Touchscreen integration, while becoming increasingly common in new vehicles, has emerged as a significant source of user frustration. The overreliance on touchscreens for critical controls has led to complex navigation, distractions, and functional problems [2].
Complexity and function overload is a major issue, with touchscreens being used to control not just audio but also essential functions like climate systems, garage door openers, and even glove box releases, which are often buried in multiple digital menus [3]. This forces drivers to tap and swipe through several screens to perform simple tasks, leading to distraction and inconvenience.
Moreover, the declining user experience is a growing concern. Although large touchscreens are visually appealing, their practical functionality within vehicles is a source of increasing frustration among owners [3][5]. Infotainment systems, including touchscreens, have high failure rates and quality problems, making them a significant concern for both consumers and manufacturers [2].
To address these issues and improve user experience, manufacturers can consider reintroducing physical controls for essential functions, simplifying and streamlining user interfaces, leveraging advanced interaction modalities like voice commands and biometric inputs, enhancing personalization and adaptation, and improving cybersecurity and software quality [4].
In the study, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) registered more problems than fully battery-powered EVs, with PHEVs scoring 237 PP100 compared to 212 PP100 for EVs [1]. Only two out of 18 new models assessed performed better than their segment average [1]. Premium automotive brands showed significant improvements, dropping PP100 from 230 to 203, largely due to quality gains from Tesla [1].
In the mass-market category, Nissan claimed the top spot with 169 PP100 [1]. Conventional gas vehicles fared better with 184 PP100, while standard hybrids landed at 196 [1]. Among luxury brands, Lexus leads with the best overall quality score at 166 PP100 [1]. The Porsche 911, manufactured by Volkswagen AG, earned the study's best individual model ranking with a class-leading 116 PP100 [1].
In Asia, the Tahara Lexus plant in Japan took top honors for its production of the Lexus IS, LS, and NX [1]. Toyota's Cambridge South plant in Ontario and Georgetown 3 plant in Kentucky shared North American Gold awards [1]. General Motors led all automakers with five segment awards [1].
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, addressing these issues and improving user experience will be crucial for manufacturers to maintain customer satisfaction and stay competitive. By balancing touchscreen functionality with tactile controls, simplifying interfaces, and exploring multimodal interaction methods while ensuring system reliability and security, manufacturers can reduce frustration and enhance safety and convenience for drivers [1][3][4][5].
References: [1] J.D. Power (2025). U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). Retrieved from https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-initial-quality-study-iqs-results [2] Kerr, A. (2025). The Rising Concerns of Touchscreen Integration in New Vehicles. Car and Driver. Retrieved from https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a37856355/touchscreen-integration-issues-in-new-vehicles/ [3] Smith, M. (2025). The Future of Vehicle Interfaces: A Call for Simplicity and User-Friendliness. Wired. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/the-future-of-vehicle-interfaces-a-call-for-simplicity-and-user-friendliness/ [4] Johnson, L. (2025). Redefining Vehicle Interfaces: A Multipronged Approach to Improve User Experience. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/leonardkoh/2025/05/01/redefining-vehicle-interfaces-a-multipronged-approach-to-improve-user-experience/ [5] Lee, J. (2025). Infotainment Systems Remain the Most Problematic Vehicle Category. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/05/01/22426591/infotainment-systems-problematic-vehicle-category-jd-power-study
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