Study: The best automotive brands for technology in 2025
Once again, Korean brands are excelling in terms of technological experience, dominating the latest annual rankings from American firm J.D. Power.
The firm surveyed more than 76,000 owners of 2025 models three months after taking delivery. Its survey looked at some 40 technologies divided into five categories: infotainment and software, artificial intelligence, comfort and convenience, energy efficiency, and driver assistance.
With a score of 538 on a scale of 1,000, Genesis ranks first overall and among luxury brands for the fifth consecutive year. Hyundai (493) stands out among popular brands for the sixth consecutive year, while its sister company Kia (474) ranks second.
Also noteworthy are the enviable positions of Cadillac (526), Lincoln (523), and BMW (511). Tesla (873) and Rivian (730) could have comfortably ranked at the top, but their scores are not official because they do not meet all of the study's eligibility criteria.
The following chart shows the complete rankings:
Chrysler (346) and Ram (381) are two brands from the Stellantis group that benefit from the excellent UConnect infotainment system, but they are struggling in other areas and end up at the bottom of J.D. Power's 2025 rankings, succeeding Dodge, which no longer even appears. Jeep (412) isn't far behind, by the way.
The research firm singled out certain vehicles for praise. These include the Genesis GV80 and Hyundai Santa Fe for their digital key on the phone, the Santa Fe for its blind spot monitor, the Kia EV9 for its one-pedal driving, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Sequoia for their digital rearview mirror with camera, the Land Rover Defender for its advanced air purification system, and the GMC Hummer EV for its lane change assist.
Furthermore, while new AI-powered technologies such as smart air conditioners are rapidly gaining popularity among those who have tried them, facial/fingerprint/gesture recognition devices are often still perceived as poor solutions to problems that users didn't even know existed, according to J.D. Power.
