Official: Surprise! J.D. Power reports consumers frustrated with navigation systems

Filed under: Technology, Infotainment

For those of us testing dozens of in-car navigation and infotainment systems each year, J.D. Power's 2011 U.S. Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study comes as no surprise.

According to owners surveyed in the study, simplicity and ease-of-use are lacking in the majority of systems on the market, with "Address/street/city not found" topping the list, followed by difficulty inputting a destination, poor routing, ineffectual voice controls, a lack of street names and missing points of interest. Not to mention the most obvious issue: the inability to find the proper function in the menu system.

Additionally, with a growing number of automakers combining climate controls into the touchscreen, these systems are adding another layer of complexity with few tangible benefits.

Interestingly though, the Garmin-supplied system fitted to the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 - placing first and third, respectively, in consumer satisfaction - do combine many of the vehicle's climate control functions in a separate menu on the screen. So the issue isn't about incorporation, it's about execution.

Lining the bottom of the pack were a few Mercedes-Benz models (no surprise considering how long in the tooth COMAND is), the Jaguar XJ, Volvo XC90, Lincoln MKX and Toyota RAV4. And while the Clarion-equipped system (in the process of being phased out) in the Ford Flex, Fusion and Lincoln MKS all made it into the top 10, the TeleNav versions of the Ford Explorer and Edge - yes, the MyFord Touch equipped models - landed near the bottom. However, many of those issues should be rectified with the 2013 update, which includes faster response, better voice recognition and a mild UI overhaul. Hit the jump for the details and the complete rankings list.

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Surprise! J.D. Power reports consumers frustrated with navigation systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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