Customer satisfaction with vehicle design and performance for non-Tesla battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is at an all-time high surpassing gasoline, hybrid, and Tesla vehicles, according to a new J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study. 

The BEVs scored 877 on a 1,000-point scale. Tesla trailed with 870. Gasoline vehicles scored 842 and hybrids came in last at 841. Overall, customer satisfaction is at 847, two points higher than a year ago, a news release says. 

“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the voice of the customer,” said Frank Hanley, J.D. Power senior director of auto benchmarking, in the report. “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, 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.”

The release says BEVs achieve higher APEAL scores due to improved battery range and better interior materials. 

Infotainment systems remained one of the lowest scoring categories at 823, according to the release. Consumers were most satisfied with Android Auto (832) and Apple CarPlay (840), the release says. 

“This shows that customers prefer to have the simplistic usability of their phone extended into their vehicle more so than what manufacturers are providing,” the release says. 

Customers also seemed concerned about switching between sources saying it contributed to poor audio experience and others criticized the system’s menu structure. 

Automakers keep pouring additional features into their vehicle infotainment systems, but it appears to be creating needless complexity,” Hanley said. “Owners struggle to perform simple audio-related tasks, so it begs the question whether automakers are actually in tune with the desires and needs of their customers.”

Premium brands scored higher (870) than mass-market brands (838), the release says. However, only mass-market brands show year-over-year improvement, rising by a single point, according to the release. 

Among the premium brands, Porsche (891) ranked the highest followed by Jaguar (886) and Land Rover (882). 

Mini (858) ranked highest among mass-market brands followed by Ram (854) and Kia (853). 

Hyundai Motor Group received the most model-level awards for models ranking highest in their respective segment, followed by BMW AG and Toyota Motor Corporation. 

The APEAL Study looks at 37 attributes including comfort and drivability, the release says. Vehicle owner responses are aggregated to compute an overall APEAL Index score.

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Feature photo courtesy of Young777/iStock

Graphs courtesy of J.D. Power