Premium Audio Makes Happy Customers

Branded audio is positively impacting owner satisfaction with in-car multimedia technology, as well as the vehicle, according to the J.D. Power 2019 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study,SM released today. The overall number of reported problems with audio, communication, entertainment and navigation (ACEN) technologies has also decreased for a fourth consecutive year.

The study measures the experiences and opinions of vehicle owners regarding the quality, design and features of their ACEN system in the first 90 days of ownership. Multimedia system quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Top-performing vehicles in each segment are as follows:

  • Small: Hyundai Accent
  • Compact:  Kia Soul
  • Midsize:  Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Large: Nissan Titan
  • Small Premium: Mercedes-Benz GLA
  • Compact Premium: Genesis G70
  • Midsize Premium: Audi Q8 and Porsche 911 (tied)
  • Large Premium:  BMW 7 Series

Data for the annual Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study SM is derived from each year’s J.D. Power Vehicle Quality Survey (VQS). The data is augmented with supplier sourcing information where available, which affords multimedia suppliers with a comprehensive view of the overall multimedia industry, as well as the performance of individual products and systems, and problems that owners experience.