Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study
Click above for a gallery of the graphics from J.D. Power and Associates
Porsche grabs the top spot for the fifth year in a row in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. For this year's study, the team at JDPA gathered information from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and questioned them on more than 90 vehicle attributes. Their studies examined "how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive," based on those evaluations.
While the APEAL nameplate ranking is significant (Porsche, Jaguar, and Cadillac round out the top-three), the segment winners offer more insight into what today's buyers are seeking. This year, it appears to be the newly launched models including the Volkswagen CC, Nissan Maxima, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Flex... each took top honors in their respective category. This year's biggest upset comes in the "Midsize Premium Car" segment as the all-new Hyundai Genesis (sedan) knocks the BMW 5 Series from the podium. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.
Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power APEAL Results
[Source: JDPower.com]
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: JULY 16, 2009 - The automotive industry achieves a three-year high in appeal for new and redesigned models, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM released today. Seven of these models have received segment-level awards.
In 2009, the APEAL score for all-new and redesigned models averages 790 on a 1,000-point scale-11 points higher than in 2008 and 15 points higher than the 2009 score for carryover models. In addition, seven all-new and redesigned models rank highest in their respective segments, including the Dodge Challenger, Ford F-150 (in a tie), Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis, Nissan Maxima, Volkswagen CC and Volkswagen Tiguan.
"Most automakers are on track in terms of designing new models that are highly appealing," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "The greater challenge for manufacturers lies in creating models that launch with both strong appeal and high quality, which ultimately lead to improved sales through greater customer loyalty and advocacy."
Throughout the years, vehicle models achieving high APEAL scores have been shown to benefit from faster sales, less need for cash incentives and higher profit margins on each vehicle sold.
The average APEAL score for all models in 2009 has improved considerably to 779 from 770 in 2008, driven primarily by increased owner satisfaction with fuel economy. This higher satisfaction comes from three main sources. First, fuel prices have decreased significantly during the past year, which has reduced owner concerns about gas mileage. Second, owners are switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles-in 2009, more than one-half of all vehicles included in the study are powered by four-cylinder engines, compared with just 39 percent in 2008. Third, automakers are designing models to be more fuel efficient than their predecessors.
"Although lower fuel prices and the switch to smaller vehicles have undoubtedly helped, there are also many individual vehicles that have made strong improvements in fuel economy ratings," said Sargent. "For example, the Ford F-150, Cadillac Escalade, Volkswagen Jetta and redesigned Dodge Ram have all made major strides in owner satisfaction with fuel economy through the introduction of more efficient powertrains."
In 2009, domestic brands comprise the four most-improved nameplates. Dodge posts the largest improvement, followed by Pontiac, Buick and Cadillac, respectively. In addition, the three most-improved models are from domestic manufacturers, including the Dodge Ram, Buick Lucerne and Ford F-150.
"Consumers have a great array of appealing vehicles to choose from by both domestic and import brands," said Sargent.
The overall gap in APEAL scores between domestic and import models has narrowed considerably during the past several years and is just five index points in 2009, compared with 15 points in 2008 and 27 points in 2007. Among premium models, import nameplates retain a slight edge, while among non-premium models, domestic brands have a similar edge.
APEAL Model-Level and Nameplate Rankings
Volkswagen captures four segment-level awards-more than any other vehicle nameplate in 2009-for the CC, GTI, Passat and Tiguan. Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan each garner two awards. Ford receives model-level awards for the F-150 (in a tie) and Flex. Honda models receiving awards are the Odyssey (for a fifth consecutive year) and Ridgeline (for a fifth consecutive year). Mercedes-Benz earns awards for the S-Class (for a third consecutive year) and SLK-Class. The S-Class achieves the highest APEAL score of any model in the industry. Nissan receives awards for the Armada and Maxima.
Also receiving awards are the Chevrolet Avalanche (for a second consecutive year), in a tie; Dodge Challenger, Hyundai Genesis, MINI Cooper (for a second consecutive year); Porsche Cayenne (for a second consecutive year); and smart fortwo. The Ford F-150 and Honda Ridgeline are the only two models to rank highest in their respective segments in both the 2009 APEAL Study and 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS) released in June.
Porsche is the highest-ranking nameplate in APEAL for a fifth consecutive year.
The APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 90 vehicle attributes. The 2009 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2009 from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership. The APEAL Study complements the recently released J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality StudySM (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership.
Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle APEAL performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing APEAL ratings at JDPower.com.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
alex 8:16AM (7/16/2009)
anyone else shocked how low toyota ranks? below all GM brands besides Saab?
Reply
Vincenzo 8:23AM (7/16/2009)
A little bit, yes. Although you have to applaud GM from how far they've come in such a short time. Their interiors are so much better, way better than chryslers, and their reliability is at the top of JD now...I seriously am looking at a GM made car..
Bird 8:25AM (7/16/2009)
Looking at Toyota's current car lineup, I can't say I'm shocked at all.
info2x 8:27AM (7/16/2009)
It's about how the owner feels about their car it seems. I guess most Toyota owners don't feel excited about their car, something I think we all can understand.
216 8:30AM (7/16/2009)
makes sense, cuz most of the time people go for the toyota not for driving experience, not for fun, not for comfort, but just because they've heard that Toyotas are reliable and that's what they should be driving
(I've always been happy with my 05 Malibu tho)
Luis 9:23AM (7/16/2009)
Recently rented a new Malibu for a week and have to say I'm rather unimpressed. Plastics on the doors are hard and the 4-cyl is way underpowered. The truck was also really small for such a big car - only two suitcases and not a drop more fit in it.
Also, the LCD for the radio and trip computer is cheap looking.
I would not buy a Malibu.
Luis 9:24AM (7/16/2009)
*trunk
LaughingTooHard 3:44PM (7/16/2009)
Luis?
Have you recovered from your pill popping extravaganza?
The Malibu LT (rental) is cheap looking compared to which of its' direct competitors?
The Accord LX? or the EX with leather? I've ridden in every possible combination of Accord, and they ALL look cheap. Wide, cheap plastic as far as the eye can see. Tiny creases that trap dust and plastics covering all the instruments/radio at look like they scratch with a stern glance. Love that 80's soft glow LCD for climate controls.
The Camry is actually a little more visually but textures are worse. What the Camry has in looks is over-shadowed by the "Base Model" feeling. Overall it is three way tie. They all suck in different ways. None is that much better than the other.
I will say that Malibu all black interior looks dingy as quick as the Accord, they are odd shades of gray and the sun brings out the bad angles. Lucky for both cars, Armor-All is just a wipe away. Watch out for scrapes on the Accord - they will NOT buff out.
To say any attribute of a $20K 4 door sedans is bad or sub-par is childish, they are volume sellers, not halo cars. They will all fail when compared to anything else more focused and or more expensive.
tuxchown 12:19PM (7/16/2009)
I'm not shocked at all. Toyota has never impressed me. American cars are designed for American people. That is why GM and Ford top the list in sales.
Vincenzo 8:17AM (7/16/2009)
FU$% hyundai ... my neighbor just bought a brand new sonata, and smoke is coming out of the HVAC vents, whenever the car is started...
Reply
Avinash machado 9:46AM (7/16/2009)
Maybe you were seeing things?
Vincenzo 9:58AM (7/16/2009)
Yeah, AVINDASH MUCHACHO I was seeing things, Like when she ran over for help as it was smoking... and the pretend dealership its sitting in right now....Why would you even post that. Maybe you were dreaming of posting it.
warsteiner89 10:59AM (7/16/2009)
actually, i'm going to call out your story as b.s. as well. first off, it doesn't make sense unless you didn't explain it correctly. by saying smoke comes out of the HVAC vents "whenever the car is started" suggests this supposedly happens very often.
so if the natural reaction of your neighbor when she sees the smoke is to panic and run over for help, she must be pretty stupid to not take the car to dealership at the first sign of smoke. And if you're going to say that she indeed did take the car to dealership only to have the problem occur again over and over and over, that just simply doesn't sound credible, or at best some far fetched outlier occurance.
Vincenzo 11:15AM (7/16/2009)
Well she's a Dr. So I wouldn't necessarily call her dumb, like yourself, who is wasting time "Calling me out" on something you weren't even present to witness dumb ass..
When did I say "only to have the problem occur again over and over and over" I never said that...? She got it to the dealership that morning...Go get a life, man
Don't believe me! I do not care.
shadysi 12:08PM (7/16/2009)
nothing to see here... don't feed the trolls
JRM 12:16PM (7/16/2009)
Vincenzo,
just admit it happened once (and only once) rather than "whenever the car is started", and the commenters won't label you as a troll.
Vincenzo 1:22PM (7/16/2009)
JRM- Another Rocket Scientist who saw what happened...I'm not the troll as$hole
GTX141 10:53PM (7/16/2009)
Vincenzo, you're not a troll. You're a retard. Let's go back to 1st grade language arts. You said "whenever the car is started," which implies it happens every time.
Vincenzo 9:24AM (7/17/2009)
gtx141 tatle-tail, sorry for not typing perfectly like yourself, whenever the car was started That Morning! Wish I could have been with you, in the "1st GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS" First Grade Language Arts?? ...HOMO
jay tee 8:20AM (7/16/2009)
Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar? Hyundai is 9th from the bottom, and both BMW and Jaguar are in the top 5. They may have beat out BMW and Jag for the Midsize Premium car category, but lost out to everybody else in every other category. They did rank higher than Toyota and Chrysler....
Reply