Satisfaction with non-Tesla BEVs reaches all-time high

Owner satisfaction with new vehicle design and performance is back on track after two years of decline, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. 

In a news release, the company said overall satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale is now at 847 — up two points from a year ago. Satisfaction with non-Tesla battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached an all-time high of 877, surpassing Tesla’s 870.

“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the Voice of the Customer,” said Frank Hanley, Senior director of Auto Benchmarking at J.D. Power, in a statement. “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, he said recent launches from traditional OEMs “surpassed perennial leader Tesla” when it comes to the vehicle owner’s level of emotional attachment and excitement with their new vehicle.

One area that has a less appreciable impact on consumers — across all vehicle fuel types — is infotainment. J.D. Power has mentioned the issue in a previous study covered by Canadian auto dealer. In its 2023 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study, the company said vehicle infotainment makes up for 25 per cent of all multimedia problems that consumers experience with their vehicles. 

In the current APEAL report, J.D. Power said infotainment is one of the 10 factors on which the study is based. That area moved up five points this year to 823; however, it remains among the lowest-scoring categories — industry wide. 

“While satisfaction with in-vehicle infotainment systems averages 805, it is higher among owners who use Android Auto (832) or Apple CarPlay (840),” said J.D. Power. “This shows that customers prefer to have the simplistic usability of their phone extended into their vehicle more so than what manufacturers are providing.”

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