J.D. Power recently released its 2015 Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience (DrIVE) Report, which measures drivers' experiences with new in-vehicle technology during the first 90 days of ownership. According to the study, most car buyers aren't using the technology offered, with built-in connectivity rated among the least used.

Around 20 percent of those surveyed have never used over half of the technology features found in new cars, with the most commonly ignored features including mobile routers, built-in apps, automatic parking systems, head-up display, and the in-vehicle concierge. The study also found that the same percentage of owners don't want nearly 14 technologies that are offered, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with voice texting, and in-vehicle concierges services. Among Generation Y consumers, that number of technologies they'd rather skip increases to 23 percent.

Among the reasons why the technology wasn't used, the most common was simply because it wasn't explained at time of purchase. "While dealers are expected to play a key role in explaining the technology to consumers, the onus should be on automakers to design the technology to be intuitive for consumers," said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & HMI research at J.D. Power. "Automakers also need to explain the technology to dealership staff and train them on how to demonstrate it to owners."

A study from the University of Iowa, which surveyed 2,000 adults across the U.S. to determine their understanding of nine vehicle safety technologies, had similar findings. According to this survey, the least understood feature was the adaptive cruise control, with 65.2 percent reporting confusion, while another 45.3 percent were confused about the tire pressure monitoring system and 35.6 percent uncertain about lane departure warning systems.