Apart from the annual vehicle reliability study that determines the statistically most cars and most reliable on the market, JD Power & Associates’ also conduct an annual survey of the most exciting brands and vehicles in America.
APEAL study examined what consumers like and dislike about their vehicles and how they are satisfying to own and drive based on their evaluation of more than 80 different attributes. Some findings are expected, but some may come as a surprise for you.
Starting with the brand appeal, Porsche finished first followed by Jaguar, BMW, Land Rover (although close ranks last in reliability study JD Powers’), Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
On the other side of the fence, Suzuki, Subaru, Jeep, Nissan and Honda (in that order) the most appealing brand.
There are many surprises when it comes to individual models, which became the largest Hyundai Equus is ranked No1 in a BMW 7-Series and Audi A8 in the large premium car segment. This is the first time that other models of BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS or a Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been leading the overall ranking of models.
Want more? JD Power said that Equus APEAL achieve the highest score of any model in the industry in 2011.
Another surprising outcome, although for different reasons, is the Suzuki Kizashi beat the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima in the medium category. The surprise here is that while the Suzuki brand ranked last in the appeal, Kizashi come first.
Overall, BMW and Dodge each took three awards with the segment level, X3, Z4 Roadster and 5 Series, and the Challenger Charger and Durango each of them. Ford and Honda models capture two awards each level with the Fiesta and the F-150, and the Ridgeline and Odyssey respectively.
