Isn't that the truth? We finished building a new house last year, complete with many of the new, "high-efficiency" appliances.
While the washer & dryer we retained from our previous house, the dishwasher is terrible. It's a mid-to-higher priced model...very quiet, but runs for a long time and its cleaning power is questionable. We recently installed a water softener which seems to help with the cleaning, but it's a long way from earlier model dishwashers.
Additionally, as we bought an in-cabinet oven, all-electric was our only choice. Bad mistake. Takes about 15 minutes, maybe longer, just to pre-heat to 350 degrees.
Pro tip:
Before running the dishwasher turn on the kitchen faucet until hot water comes out. This will ensure the dishwasher cycle starts with all hot water. Dishes will be cleaner.
But I agree. Federal “efficiency” rules suck. Dishwashers should have a choice between powerful or energy efficient.