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Car buyers are paying big money for technology they don't use

J.D. Power released the results of its Tech Experience Index study that measures "how much owners like [in-car] technologies and how many problems they experience with them." Among the study's findings, automakers are loading vehicles with more software and digital experiences that owners claim they never learn how to use or decide they don't need. For example, owners report to J.D. Power that gesture controls, like those used by BMW (spinning a finger, for instance, can raise or lower the audio volume), don't improve the overall ownership experience. In fact, gesture controls received the lowest overall satisfaction score in the study for a second consecutive year. In another example, the study found that 61% of owners claim never having used "in-vehicle digital market technology," while 51% of respondents said they didn't need it. Driver/passenger communication technology was another sore point with users, with 52% saying they have never used the technology, and 40% of those saying they have no need for it. (10 Features owners say they want, and 7 they really don't). Conversely, some technologies are well received by owners. For American owners, rear-view cameras and so-called "ground view" cameras were among the top three desired technologies. We assume that "ground view" is a surround-view or 360-degree camera system. The one-pedal driving possible in a number of EV's with adjustable regen braking also scored very high marks and few claimed issues.  While it could be argued that owners who don't want to use a specific piece of technology should just avoid using it, the reality is that all of these unused features add cost to the final price of any vehicle. Considering that the average transaction price of a new vehicle hit a record $45,031 in September of 2021, controlling spiraling costs is a big deal. J.D. Power's survey results found that dealerships can play a big role in explaining new technology to buyers. Scores for some technologies like trailer assistance received higher scores from owners who received training from their dealers. Unfortunately, 71% of owners say they were taught how to use tech from outside sources whereas only 30% learned from a dealer. The results of this study are the product of responses from 110,827 owners of current model-year vehicles that J.D. Power surveyed after 90 days of ownership from February through July 2021.

Hyundai's new i30 is America's new Elantra GT

Hyundai pulled the wraps off of the European-designed i30 hatchback ahead of the Paris Motor Show, and the automaker confirmed that it will appear in the United States next spring under the Elantra GT name. The exaggerated curves and swoops from the previous model were discarded in favor of straighter, subtler lines. According to Hyundai, the i30 represents the future of the brand's design, and the "Cascading Grille" will be its signature. On the inside, the i30 features a wide dashboard that is slightly less driver-oriented than the Elantra sedan. Hyundai also uses a touchscreen set out from the dash, which is popular yet polarizing with consumers. In addition to being styled in Europe, other parts of the i30 were also developed and tested over there, and the car even spent some time at the Nurburgring. The chassis is 22-percent stiffer and steering that is 10-percent more direct, Hyundai says. The car also features a McPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension. Europeans will get a variety of engine choices, but only one of them is likely to come here: a turbocharged 1.4-liter gas four-cylinder that makes about 140 horsepower. The other engines are smaller and less powerful gas engines and variations on a 1.6-liter diesel. It's also possible that it could get the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine in the Elantra, or the turbo 1.6-liter engine in the Veloster Turbo and other Hyundais. Hyundai also announced the i30 would spawn a few variants. It didn't give any specifics on body styles aside from saying the i30 would have a "family of unique products." The i30 will be the first Hyundai with an N version. For those out of the loop, N is the performance brand Hyundai has been preparing to launch. The company also said the i30 N would arrive in 2017. Hyundai only confirmed with us that the standard i30 would be coming to America, but it would make sense for Hyundai to bring the hot version as well, even if it comes a little later than in Europe and/or South Korea. We certainly wouldn't turn it down, especially if it sounds like the current prototype. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Hyundai i30: Paris 2016 View 12 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Hyundai i30 View 10 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Paris Motor Show Hyundai Hatchback hyundai elantra gt

Toyota tops Consumer Reports best, worst used car values

We often mock Toyota for building boring, soulless cars, but a new study by Consumer Reports suggests that regardless of whether that's true, the company has some of the best used cars on the market. In its report on used cars from 2004-2013, the Japanese automaker had 11 vehicles among its brands on the list - more than any other automaker.
CR breaks the list down by cost and vehicle size, and Toyota has at least one entry at every price point and in nearly every segment. To score a recommendation, a vehicle had to perform well in the magazine's initial tests and score above-average reliability results. It also tried to only suggest cars with electronic stability control. Of the 28 recommended vehicles, Honda/Acura had the second most mentions at six, and Ford, Hyundai and Subaru managed two each.
The Detroit brands also made it to the list, but not in a positive way. Consumer Reports compiled a list of 22 vehicles it wouldn't recommend because "they have multiple years of much-worse-than-average overall reliability." General Motors had the most unrecommended models on the list at six, but Chrysler and Ford weren't far behind, with five cars each from their brands not making the grade. The full list of recommendations is available on CR's website.