J.D. Power And Associates Reports: Vehicle Owners Ask For Smartphone Integration And Better Voice Controls, As Satisfaction With Factory-Installed Navigation Systems Declines

"As more than one-half of the top problems relate directly to inputting information and interacting with the navigation system, there is a clear need for manufacturers to improve upon the interaction between the user and the navigation system," said VanNieuwkuyk.

Another key study finding is the level of interest in voice activation, as 67 percent of owners without voice activation in their vehicle indicate they would want it in their next navigation system, and 80 percent of those with voice activation say they would want it again in their next system. While this is a highly sought-after feature, voice activation satisfaction is 544, the lowest factor score in the study—93 points below the factor with the second lowest score, ease of use. In addition, difficulty using voice activation controls is the third-most-frequently reported problem in the study at 27.8 PP100.

"Smartphones and natural voice recognition have raised owner expectations among all vehicle segments, and manufacturers are not yet meeting these demands," said VanNieuwkuyk.

Satisfaction with the basic functions of factory-installed navigation systems, such as map routing, declines less than all those measured in the study, indicating they are performing as owners expect them to. However, satisfaction with the ease of using the system—such as connectivity with smartphones, user interface and integration with other media devices in the vehicle—declines more than the other functions measured.

"We're seeing a demand from owners for connectivity with not only other in-vehicle systems, but also their own equipment and smartphone. Navigation systems are no longer viewed as a stand-alone component, but as part of a media, safety and infotainment package, and are expected to seamlessly work together, but in many cases are falling short of owner expectations."

Among vehicle models with a factory-installed navigation system that perform particularly well are the Garmin-supplied Chrysler 300 Series and Dodge Charger and the Harman-supplied Porsche Cayenne. The Garmin systems in both the Chrysler 300 Series and the Dodge Charger perform well in all factors, particularly in ease of use. The Harman system in the Porsche Cayenne also performs well in all factors, particularly voice activation.

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