Top interesting findings from J.D. Power
Chrysler improves the most and the Dodge Challenger tops in muscle car appeal
JD Power has released findings from its 2017 U.S. APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout) study, which looks at how satisfied car owners are with their new vehicles after 90 days of ownership.
The study covers 77 different vehicle attributes over 10 different categories and 245 models (2017 model year cars) from 33 different brands. JD Power surveyed 70,000 buyers and lessees for this year’s study.
Here are the 10 most interesting findings from this year’s APEAL study: 1. Porsche leads again Porsche tops the APEAL study for the 13th year in a row with a score of 884 out of 1,000. Honestly, it’s not difficult to see why. 2. Genesis shows strong Genesis is not too far behind Porsche with a score of 869. This is pretty impressive because this is the first year Hyundai’s luxury brand has been included in the study, as it just became its own stand-alone brand last year. Genesis also came in second place in JD Power’s Initial Quality Survey that tracks how many problems arise with owners’ new cars. 3. Gap between premium and non-premium brands is shrinking The score for the non-premium segment is up 10 points over last year to 804, while the score for the premium segment is up only one point to 845. The gap between the two is at an all-time low. A huge reason for this is that more fancy features are available in mass-market brands. 4. Chrysler is most improved With a score of 815, Chrysler’s rank- ing has improved by 41 points over last year, which is interesting because it only sells three models and one of them (the 200) is being discontinued. The new Pacifica minivan is probably the biggest reason why Chrysler’s rankings have improved so much this year. 5. Volkswagen Group leads with six segment awards The Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A7, Porsche 911, Porsche Cayenne, and Porsche Macan all won top honours in their individual segments. The Macan has won its segment for three years running. 6. Dodge Challenger is the most appealing muscle car This is interesting because the Challenger is the oldest one of the muscle car holy trinity.
It scored higher than the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro in its segment. 7. Audi A7 ties Lincoln Continental This is a huge win for Lincoln, as Ford’s luxury arm is trying to turn things around and tieing with such a successful brand like Audi is a step in the right direction. 8. Industry score is up The score for overall appeal has increased by nine points from last year (801to 810), which ties for the biggest gain since the study first started 22 years ago.
The score has been going up consistently since 2014.
This means that people are, in general, happier with the new cars they have. 9. German Big 3 are close BMW (855), Audi (854), and Mercedes (851) are in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively, in the brand rankings this year with scores that are very close.