- The BMW 7-Series has been named the most satisfying new vehicle.
- Rivian was the most satisfying brand, while Mitsubishi was the worst.
- Tesla EVs were deemed less satisfying than rivals.
J.D. Power has released their latest Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study and it reveals owner satisfaction has “rebounded after two years of unprecedented decline.” In particular, the average satisfaction rating is 847 and that’s up two points from a year ago.
Interestingly, satisfaction with non-Tesla EVs is at an all-time high of 877. That beats Tesla itself, which only scored 870 points.
More: Ram Tops J.D. Power Quality Survey, But Dodge Drops From First To Last
While there’s a lot to unpack, J.D. Power’s Frank Hanley said “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.”
Consumers hate infotainment systems as they’re “one of the lowest-scoring categories industry wide.” Infotainment systems have an average rating of 805, which places them well below Android Auto (832) and Apple CarPlay (840). That’s not exactly a fair comparison, but consumers appear to favor a simple design that mimics their smartphone.
Speaking of satisfaction, people love premium brands far more than their mainstream counterparts. Luxury automakers averaged 870 points and that’s well above the mass market average of 838. However, satisfaction with mainstream vehicles climbed 1 point this time around.
Rivian, Porsche, and Jaguar dominated the luxury rankings, while Polestar came dead last with a mass market-like score of 839. That put them on par with Chevrolet, Dodge, and Honda.
Among mainstream brands, Mini, Ram, and Kia received top honors. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Jeep, Subaru, and Mitsubishi found themselves down in the dumps.
At the model level, the BMW 7-Series was named the best vehicle overall. Praise was also given to an assortment of other BMWs including the 2-Series, iX, and X4.
Kia dominated the model-level awards as the Carnival, K5, Forte, EV6, and EV9 all took home top honors. Other winners include the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Ford F-Series Super Duty, Genesis GV60, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Wagoneer, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LC / RX, MINI Countryman, Nissan Titan, Porsche Taycan, and Toyota Tacoma.
The results are based on responses from 99,144 owners who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. While individual experiences vary, the study gives you a good idea of what to expect.
