Triple Screen In Cars – Only 6% Use Passenger Display Every Drive, 35% Never Tried It

Automakers are increasingly filling car interiors with larger and more numerous screens, but buyers may not necessarily be asking for them. The latest JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study suggests that simpler technologies working quietly in the background often deliver higher owner satisfaction than additional displays and increasingly complex systems.

Passenger Screens Rank Among Most Problematic Features

Passenger displays have become increasingly common, particularly in premium vehicles. Many new-generation cars now offer three-screen dashboards comprising a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen and a separate display for the front passenger.

However, JD Power found passenger screens to be among the most problematic technologies assessed in its study, recording 21.3 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Some vehicles equipped with passenger displays also recorded higher rates of infotainment-related problems in JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.

Simple Technology Scores Better

Interestingly, some of the highest-rated technologies were features owners barely notice during everyday driving. Smart ignition ranked highest for overall satisfaction and recorded just 2.4 problems per 100 vehicles. Smart climate control and automatic driver preference systems also performed strongly.

These technologies generally work in the background and reduce the number of actions required from the driver. JD Power’s findings suggest that technology which simplifies vehicle operation can deliver greater satisfaction than features requiring additional interaction.

Level 2+ ADAS Doesn’t Guarantee Better Experience

A similar trend was observed with driver assistance systems. More technologically advanced Level 2+ hands-free systems did not deliver a better overall ownership experience than conventional Level 2 systems requiring drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel.

Interestingly, L2+ systems actually recorded slightly fewer problems at 13.8 PP100, compared to 14.3 PP100 for L2 systems. Despite this, owners rated the overall execution and experience of conventional L2 technology higher. JD Power suggests buyers may currently be more comfortable with systems that clearly assist the driver rather than introducing greater levels of automation.

Hyundai Tops Mass-Market Brands

Hyundai emerged as the highest-ranked mass-market brand for technology innovation for the seventh consecutive year, scoring 524 points. GMC and Kia tied for second with 470 points each. Among premium brands, Cadillac ranked first with 641 points, followed by Genesis at 559 and BMW at 524. Hyundai Palisade also received mass-market awards for its phone-based digital key and blind-spot camera, while Hyundai Ioniq 9 was recognised for its EV charging scheduler.

The JD Power study is based on responses from 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership. Overall, the findings point towards a relatively simple conclusion for automakers: adding more technology isn’t necessarily the same as improving the user experience.

Three-Screen Dashboards Growing In India Too

The trend towards multiple displays is increasingly visible in the Indian market as well. Carmakers are using larger and more elaborate digital cockpits as a way of differentiating new-generation vehicles, particularly in the SUV and EV segments.
Depending on the model and variant, these layouts can combine a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment system and an additional passenger-side display.

The JD Power findings therefore raise an interesting question for the Indian market as well. While three-screen dashboards can create a strong visual impact inside a showroom, their long-term usefulness depends on how frequently owners actually use the additional displays.

This doesn’t necessarily mean Indian buyers will respond in the same way as American owners surveyed by JD Power. However, as more Indian cars adopt passenger displays, manufacturers may eventually have to balance screen size and quantity with usability, reliability and actual customer demand.