Passenger Screens Are Spreading Fast, Yet a Third of Owners Skip Them

Automakers keep stuffing more displays into new cars, and passenger-side screens are among the fastest-growing features. But a fresh study suggests that many buyers simply ignore them. According to the findings, 35% of people who purchased a vehicle equipped with a passenger display say they have never once used it.

The gap between what is installed and what is actually used raises questions about whether these screens are solving a real problem or just adding cost and complexity. For brands pushing cabin tech as a selling point, the data hints that not every feature lands with drivers and their passengers.

It also matters for how cars are priced and specced. If a sizable chunk of owners never touch the screen, the value proposition becomes harder to justify—especially when simpler, cheaper alternatives exist for the same functions.