Cadillac technology such as Super Cruise and the new 38-inch OLED display in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade help make the brand what it is today. While Cadillac’s contemporary styling and premium interiors are definitely a huge draw for many customers, technology is, without a doubt, the most important part of any new car in this day and age of smartphones, tablets and high-speed internet.
Cadillac was recently recognized for its commitment to emerging technology after being ranked third in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study. The study, now in its fifth year,
attempts to gauge how effectively automakers are bringing important new technologies to market and measures them based on a 1,000 point scale. J.D. Power takes into account “the level of adoption of new technologies for each brand with the excellence in execution,” when ranking brands, along with how much owners like the technologies and how many problems they experience while using them. A total of 82,527 owners of new 2020 model-year vehicles were surveyed for this study.
Cadillac was ranked third in the study with a TXI score of 577, putting it just behind BMW (583) in second and ahead of Mercedes-Benz (567) in fourth. Volvo was first overall with a TXI score of617. Cadillac received plaudits for the rear seat reminder technology on the 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan, the rear cross traffic warning technology on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade and the navigation live traffic technology in the Cadillac XT5, among more.
Many technologies Cadillac offers also received the highest Execution Index score, which is an indicator of which technologies customers like the most. The camera rear-view mirror, available on a number of new Cadillac models, earns the highest Execution Index score (894) among luxury owners. Owners also like technologies that act as an extra set of eyes around the vehicle, such as exterior cameras and sensors.
Interestingly, J.D. Power’s study found that one important Cadillac technology, Super Cruise, perhaps isn’t very popular with customers just yet. The research firm found that many owners “don’t trust technologies necessary for more automated driving,” though some did report a positive experience, saying they had lower stress while using such technologies and arrived at their destination feeling more refreshed. J.D. Power notes that “training drivers on the proper usage of such systems is imperative to eliminate misunderstanding of the technology’s capabilities and, in many cases, this training is simply not happening.” For Cadillac, this would entail ensuring all sales representatives are trained on how to use Super Cruise and how to best make customers feel comfortable and confident when teaching them how to use the system.
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ConsumerRep
The research firm found that many owners “don’t trust technologies necessary for more automated driving,” I find that an odd statement for Cadillac owners with SuperCruise equipped vehicles.
Greg
Ya. I thought most Cadillac CT6 owners were “over the moon” about it.
John Engelman
1st of all, I have the rear seat reminder technology on my 2018 CT6 Platinum. I also have, along with RWD, AWS (All Wheel Steer), exclusive to the Omega chassis, so you won’t find that on any 2021 Cadillac vehicle. I also have Super Cruise, 3 zone HVAC, rear DVD screens (not found on the CT4, or CT5 too damn small) in fact, I think they are only available on the Escalade, reclining, massaging,heated and cooled rear seats, power rear sun shade, side sun shades, power opening and closing trunk lid, rear, side, and front cameras, self park, automatic front and rear braking, 34 speaker Panaray sound system, the world class Omega chassis, a glove box that opens from either side, heated and cooled massaging front seats, roof vents in the rear for HVAC, lighted door sills at all 4 doors, and the trunk, panaramic night lighting around the dash, and all four doors. semi-analine leather on seats, doors, and dash, twin sunroof,and much mre….
Most of these items you will never be able to option on any forthcoming Cadillac. That’s why I say the CT4 and CT5 are a shell of what a true luxury automobile should be. They are also too damn small. Don’t believe me….shove 4 adults, and their luggage (couldn’t begin to get it in the trunk) in a CT5, and do a cross country (New York-L.A.) trip. I feel so sorry for those rear seat passengers and their leg pain…
So, what is the measure of a luxury sedan?
John Engelman
I have been using Super Cruise on my 2018 Cadillac CT6 Platinum since November, 2017, and I absolutely love it. It is amazing. It is soo easy, just line up the car, set your speed, and press 2 buttons. The steering wheel will go from Blue to Green, SC is engaged and in control. Want to change lanes….engage the turn signal, which takes the SC to Blue, change lanes, pass in the left lane, move back to the right lane using you turn signal, the SC will go from Blue to Green once you are back in the right lane and between the lines. The only thing you must keep in mind is that the camera, mounted on the steering column, watches your eyes, yes, even with sunglasses, which means you CAN’T gwak around everywhere, you must pay attention to your driving, otherwise SC will tell you to resume control of your vehicle by flashing Red since you are not paying attention to your driving….I love it! It gives me a chance to stretch my arms, and drink my drink, all, while keeping my eyes on the road…..