Which EVs Have the Highest Customer Satisfaction?
After two years of declining scores, buyers of new vehicles are reporting the highest levels of owner satisfaction in history, says market-research firm J.D. Power. The company’s annual Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study, released in July, shows the best results ever – and new electric vehicles from traditional manufacturers have been the driver of those record-high scores.
Non-Tesla EVs Outperform Tesla for First Time
On a 1,000-point scale, overall owner satisfaction across all brands and fuel types reached 847 points, an increase of two points versus a year ago. Owner satisfaction with electric vehicles reached 877 points – a new record. Interestingly, the overall EV score eclipsed Tesla, which traditionally has had the greatest owner satisfaction among EV buyers. Tesla owners scored their vehicles at 870 out of 1,000, dropping the brand into second place.
Interestingly, for the first time, ownership satisfaction scores for EVs eclipsed the averages for both gasoline and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Owners of gas cars rated their vehicles an average of 842 out of 1,000 points, while plug-in hybrid owners delivered a score of 841 (J.D. Power groups traditional hybrids with gasoline vehicles, as they do not need to be plugged in).
Why did the latest crop of EVs perform so well? The APEAL survey, which is delivered to owners 90 days after they take delivery of a new vehicle, reflects the features and performance of the latest EVs on the market – which are now delivering the range, performance, and features that buyers want. Not only have manufacturers made significant enhancements to their existing products, but the latest study also includes results from buyers of all-new models. While loyal Tesla owners gave the brand high marks, but received lackluster scores from buyers who were switching from other brands.
Which EVs Are the Most Satisfying to Own?
Across various segments, the following EVs received the top marks for owner satisfaction:
- BMW iX
- Genesis GV60
- Kia EV6
- Kia EV9
- Porsche Taycan
Porsche was also the highest-ranked premium brand for overall owner satisfaction, with a score of 891, followed by Jaguar (886 points) and Land Rover (882). Mini had the highest score for mass-market brands, with 858 points out of a possible 1,000, followed by Ram (854) and Kia (853).
Conclusion: EV Ownership Keeps Getting Better
The 2024 APEAL Study surveyed almost 100,000 owners of new 2024 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership. The rise in satisfaction scores for electric cars – for the first time elevating above gasoline vehicles – shows how much progress manufacturers have made over the past few years in building cars that meet customers’ rational and emotional needs. Simultaneously, as the vehicles themselves continue to improve, charging infrastructure is catching up as well – meaning that EV ownership will continue to evolve into a more satisfying proposition over time.
