J.D. Power 2014 APEAL Study – The First 90-Days

Porsche cleans up on the high end, Hyundai cleans up for the rest of us.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - July 23, 2014



2014 J.D. Power APEAL Study reveals luxury marques provide best first look and feel satisfaction. It is one of the most affordable offerings that provide the surprise.



According to J.D. Power’s release, despite more technologies and functionality in new cars, satisfaction is not significantly higher among owners of those models than among owners of carryover models.



The APEAL Study surveys owners to evaluate their vehicle within the first 90-daysof ownership across 77 different attributes, which combine into an overall APEAL score that is measured on a 1,000-point scale.



The study found that all-new and redesigned models are experiencing higher APEAL scores compared with carryover models - 805 vs. 791, respectively.



The separation being satisfaction with fuel economy and the feel and styling of the interior being higher among owners of all-new and redesigned models than among owners of carryover models.

Quote:

“Newly launched models surpass carryovers in impressing owners with the look and feel but owners are not as comfortable with the functionality of the features.”

The overall APEAL score in 2014 averages 794, which is a 1-point decline from 2013. Fuel economy is the only category in which there has been improvement year over year (+6 points). Owner-reported average mpg improved to 25.0 mpg from 24.5 in 2013, resulting in more favorable perceptions of both driving range and mileage.

2014 J.D. Power APEAL Rankings Highlights



Porsche is the highest-ranked nameplate in APEAL for the 10th consecutive year. Hyundai ranks highest among non-luxury brands in the study.



Hyundai



The 2014 Accent is the most appealing small car in the J.D. Power 2014 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Hyundai is also the highest-ranked non-premium brand in the J.D. Power 2014 Initial Quality Study, marking the first time a nameplate has ranked highest among non-premium brands in both APEAL and IQS in the same year.



Just one month ago, in the acclaimed J.D. Power 2014 Initial Quality Study (IQS), Hyundai was the highest ranked non-premium brand and the Elantra and Accent received the top ranking in their respective segments. In this year’s APEAL study, Hyundai again claimed top spot among non-premium brands while improving five spots among all brands to 13th overall.

2014 Hyundai Elantra





Reviewed just two + months ago, it was found to be one of the best. Owners rate it that way too.

Additionally, in the tightest race in the study, the 2014 Hyundai Sonata finished third by just two points – 819 v. 821 – in the midsize car segment.



The APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive. The study is used by manufacturers to help them design and develop more appealing vehicles and by consumers to help them in their purchase decisions. The 2014 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2014 from more than 86,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2014 model-year cars and light trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership. The APEAL Study complements the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership.

J.D. Power 2014 APEAL Study – The First 90-Days