A year ago, Americans didn’t like what car designers were doing. Now, they’ve reconsidered. After two years of declining scores, a new study from J.D. Power finds Americans’ opinions of car design improving.
J.D. Power’s U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study measures “owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle.” Researchers poll new car owners on “37 attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat to their exhilaration when they step on the accelerator.”
Overall, scores improved slightly this year. Americans gave automakers a solid B — an average score of 847 on a 1,000-point scale. That’s two points higher than a year ago.
Luxury Cars More Appealing Than Mainstream
Unsurprisingly, more expensive cars tend to be more appealing. The average luxury car scored 870 on a 1,000-point scale. The average non-luxury car earned a score of 838.
Porsche placed highest overall, with a score of 891. EV-only brand Rivian was not eligible for awards because it did not cooperate with the study. But, based on limited data, J.D. Power says it would have placed first overall with a score of 900.
Ten luxury automakers outscored Mini, the highest non-luxury scorer. But Mini outscored luxury brands Infiniti, Acura, and Audi.
Infotainment Still a Problem
“One area that continues to put a damper on excitement across all vehicle fuel types is infotainment,” the researchers write. Infotainment “remains one of the lowest-scoring categories industry-wide.”
Infotainment systems scored an average of 805.
Owners prefer systems that let them use their phones for streaming and directions. Drivers who use Apple CarPlay gave their infotainment system an average score of 840. Those who favor Android Auto gave a score of 832.
Related: GM To Phose Out Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Old-School Automakers Leapfrog Tesla
In prior years, Tesla easily outscored the competition among electric cars. That’s no longer true.
“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,” says Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.
“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.”
Luxury Automaker Scores
| Brand | Score (on a 1,000-point scale) |
| Porsche | 891 |
| Jaguar | 886 |
| Land Rover | 882 |
| BMW | 881 |
| Mercedes-Benz | 876 |
| Lincoln | 874 |
| Genesis | 873 |
| Segment Average | 870 |
| Cadillac | 868 |
| Alfa Romeo | 867 |
| Lexus | 866 |
| Infiniti | 856 |
| Volvo | 856 |
| Acura | 851 |
| Audi | 847 |
Tesla, Polestar, and Rivian are not ranked because they do not allow J.D. Power to access owner information where permission is required by law. Based on the limited data available from states that don’t require company authorization, J.D. Power says, Tesla would have scored 870, and Polestar 859. Rivian would have earned the top overall score at 900.
Mainstream Automaker Scores
| Brand | Score (on a 1,000-point scale) |
| Mini | 858 |
| Ram | 854 |
| Kia | 853 |
| Hyundai | 846 |
| GMC | 845 |
| Volkswagen | 844 |
| Buick | 842 |
| Chevrolet | 841 |
| Segment Average | 838 |
| Dodge | 837 |
| Honda | 836 |
| Nissan | 835 |
| Mazda | 832 |
| Ford | 831 |
| Toyota | 831 |
| Jeep | 828 |
| Subaru | 828 |
| Mitsubishi | 821 |
