Key Takeaways
- Porsche ranks as the most satisfying brand to own in new JD Power study.
- Rivian scored higher (900) but isn’t officially ranked as it does “not meet eligible criteria.”
- Electric vehicles (non-Tesla) score highest in emotional satisfaction, surpassing gas and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Premium marques outshine mainstream brands in eliciting strong customer emotions, but complex infotainment systems remain a nuisance.
JD Power has released the findings of its latest Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. For the first time in two years, the study has seen an uptick in the satisfaction of design and performance for new vehicles, with overall satisfaction up two points to 847 (on a 1,000-point scale). So, how did individual brands fare?
Officially, Porsche is the highest-ranking brand overall, with a score of 891. Jaguar follows closely at 886, and it will be interesting to see if the British automaker can retain that score despite its shrinking lineup. Sister brand Land Rover is in third place, with a score of 882. Last year, Jaguar occupied the top spot, with Porsche and Land Rover tied for second place. As for mass-market brands, new car buyers can’t get enough of Mini (858), Ram (854), and Kia (853).
Rivian Scores Higher Than Everyone, But It Doesn’t Count…
Rivian, Polestar, and Tesla all scored exceptionally well. Rivian’s final score of 900 places it ahead of even Porsche, while Tesla’s score of 870 puts it very close behind the JLR brands. Polestar also scored an impressive 839. However, none of these brands are eligible for official ranking because they “do not meet eligible criteria.” So officially, Porsche is the most satisfying brand to own, but Rivian owners are pleased with their vehicles, to say the least.
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When it comes to individual models, the best-scoring vehicle is the BMW 7 Series. It is one of five vehicles to hail from the Bavarian brand, showing that not even BMW’s controversial styling can put customers off their Ultimate Driving Machines. Other recipients include the BMW 2 Series, iX, X4, and the Mini Countryman. However, it is the Hyundai Motor Group that is driving off with the most individual awards, with the Genesis GV60, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Carnival, Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Kia Forte, and Kia K5 all scooping an award. When it comes to things like reliability, Toyota and Lexus remain unbeatable.
“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the voice of the customer. They’re launching enhanced vehicles that are more in line with what customers want, including improved interior storage and higher quality materials, as well as ensuring features have ease of use. For BEVs, recent launches from traditional manufacturers have surpassed perennial leader Tesla when it comes to owners’ level of emotional attachment and excitement with their new vehicle.”
– Frank Hanley, Senior Director of Auto Benchmarking at JD Power
EVs Are More Satisfying To Own Than Their ICE Counterparts
Across the board, there are some interesting trends to unpack. For a start, non-Tesla electric vehicles have the highest “emotional satisfaction” with a score of 877. That surpasses Tesla (870), gas (842) and plug-in hybrid (841) vehicles. Interestingly, Tesla has no trouble satisfying loyal customers but has trouble with conquest buyers.
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Unsurprisingly, premium brands elicit stronger emotions from customers than their mainstream counterparts, with an average score of 870 versus 838. But regardless of the segment, make, or model, there’s one thing that perturbs all owners, and that’s a complicated infotainment system. A quarter of owners said switching between sources (Apple CarPlay, FM Radio, etc.) “contributes to a poor audio experience” while 23% said the menus are difficult to navigate.
Source:
JD Power
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