Top 5 Automakers With the Best Mobile Apps

Drawing from a survey of 1,504 internal combustion engine vehicle owners in the U.S., approximately one-third have encountered issues with their vehicle manufacturer's mobile apps, particularly with slow connections. Despite this, a consistent app usage rate of 73% demonstrates a resilient user engagement. These are all findings from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. OEM ICE App Report that casts a spotlight on the user experience with mobile apps designed for internal combustion engine vehicles.

The survey results emphasize the importance users place on features that provide vehicle status information. This includes accurate diagnostics and the status of vehicle locks and windows, pointing to an expectation for real-time, reliable data from their apps. Nevertheless, the responsiveness of these apps, especially concerning remote control commands and status updates, is the least satisfying aspect for users, indicating a need for enhancement in this area.

The importance of dealership support in the adoption and sustained use of these apps is also highlighted, with the majority of users reporting positive impacts from dealership assistance. In contrast, the discontinuation of app use by some owners is attributed to the absence of certain features they find essential.

As well, the report ranks detail customer satisfaction across mass market and premium brand apps based on a 1,000 point scale. These standings are derived from a thorough evaluation based on over 270 best practices and 150 attributes specific to the functionality of mobile apps. MyHyundai with Bluelink achieves the highest score among mass market brands, and Mercedes me connect leads the premium category. Covering 33 brands eligible for awards in the U.S. market, the report sets a benchmark for app performance and gauges user satisfaction within the ICE vehicle app domain.