Photos

Automakers with the highest consumer satisfaction rankings

Mar 3, 2017
Lincoln Continental
  • Lincoln Continental
    • Image Credit: Drew Phillips

    American Customer Satisfaction Index automobile brand rankings

    According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, the average customer satisfaction for all new car brands improved by a significant 3.8 percent to 82 on a 100-point scale when compared to 2015. This ends a three-year decline in customer satisfaction and puts the automobile category at the top of ACSI's customer satisfaction rankings, ahead of TV and video players and credit unions.

    Even better, the improvements are widespread. Out of 24 companies the ACSI tracked this year, 16 improved in customer satisfaction, and only 5 declined. Additionally, American, Asian and European cars are all nearly equal in satisfaction.

    Of course, there is always room for improvement. Although customers seemed to be particularly pleased with performance, dependability and exterior styling, they were least satisfied with gas mileage and warranties.

    Take a look through our slideshow to see where all 24 automobile brands represented in the ACSI's 2016 Automobiles Report fell in customer satisfaction.
  • Lincoln
    • Image Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Number 1: Lincoln

    Impressively, Lincoln managed to top the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016 with a score of 87. This is a great accomplishment for the American car company, and it significantly outperformed its corporate parent, Ford.
  • Honda
    • Image Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Number 2: Honda

    Honda gained 6 percentage points on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. Although it's just behind Lincoln, Honda can still lay claim to having the highest satisfaction of any Japanese automaker.
  • BMW
    • Image Credit: Jon Furniss/Invision/AP

    Number 3: BMW

    BMW is tied with Toyota in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016 with a score of 85. This is the second year in a row the two companies have had the same satisfaction score.
  • Toyota
    • Image Credit: Bill Pugliano via Getty Images

    Number 4: Toyota

    Toyota's score of 85 lands the world's biggest automaker in fourth position in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016.
  • GMC
    • Image Credit: Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

    Number 5: GMC

    GMC made a substantial improvement for 2016 going from a score of 78 to 84 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. falling just below average. This also makes GMC the most satisfying brand in the General's stable.
  • Infiniti
    • Image Credit: FABRICE COFFRINI via Getty Images

    Number 6: Infiniti

    Infiniti also made a big jump in satisfaction score. Last year the luxury brand was the lowest-ranked Japanese brand. With a new score of 84 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016, Infiniti is now the third highest-ranked automaker from the land of the rising sun.
  • Lexus
    • Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Number 7: Lexus

    For the third year in a row, Lexus has maintained it's customer satisfaction. Since 2014 Lexus has always scored an 84 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Unfortunately for Lexus, many other companies made major improvements in satisfaction, leading Lexus to drop to the number seven slot.
  • Subaru
    • Image Credit: David Cooper via Getty Images

    Number 8: Subaru

    Subaru recovered from its dip in satisfaction last year.  The all-wheel-drive-centric brand scored 84 in the 2016 American Customer Satisfaction Index. However, the gains weren't enough for Subaru to stay in the top five, this year dropping back to eighth. But an 84 is still a strong score.
  • Audi
    • Image Credit: Chesnot via Getty Images

    Number 9: Audi

    Audi jumped from 18th to 9th place this year thanks to a 6% improvement in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. The German luxury brand had a score of 83, which wasn't enough to beat BMW, but did allow it to surpass Mercedes-Benz.
  • Chevrolet
    • Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Number 10: Chevrolet

    Unlike last year, Chevrolet managed to best its cross-town rival with the blue oval. The Bowtie brand earned a score of 83 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016 and is the second-highest scoring GM brand on the list.
  • Ford
    • Image Credit: Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

    Number 12: Ford

    Ford managed a solid improvement in this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index, but Chevrolet managed to best the Blue Oval's score of 81. At least Ford can take solace in the fact that Lincoln, managed to top the list.
  • Hyundai
    • Image Credit: Steve Russell via Getty Images

    Number 13: Hyundai

    Hyundai is the second automaker to have a steady score in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. Like last year the Korean brand received a score of 81 points. However, in a year when many automakers made substantial improvements, Hyundai was knocked down a few places to 13th.
  • Mercedes-Benz
    • Image Credit: Steve Russell via Getty Images

    Number 14: Mercedes-Benz

    Mercedes continued its satisfaction decline from last year. The company saw a 3.5-percent drop in last year's American Customer Satisfaction Index, and it dropped again this year by 2-percent to 81. This makes Mercedes the least satisfying German luxury brand on the list.
  • Mazda
    • Image Credit: ROBYN BECK via Getty Images

    Number 15: Mazda

    Mazda was well above average in the American Customer Satisfaction Index last year, but significant gains by other automakers has brought up the average to 82. This year, Mazda falls just below the average line, maintaining its score of 80.
  • Nissan
    • Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Number 16: Nissan

    Nissan managed to reverse its decline in satisfaction from last year. In the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016, Nissan picked up 3 points for a score of 80, matching Mazda.
  • Buick
    • Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Number 17: Buick

    Buick earned a 17th-place showing on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016 with a score of 79. This marks a slight decrease from last year when the brand had a score of 80.
  • Cadillac
    • Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images

    Number 18: Cadillac

    Cadillac According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016, "The Standard of the World" is now below average. Cadillac dropped a point this year to 79, and that would have been average last year, but improvements by other companies brought the average up to 82.
  • Chrysler
    • Image Credit: ROBYN BECK via Getty Images

    Number 19: Chrysler

    Chrysler made a significant improvement in satisfaction, going from 74 to 79 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. This may still leave the company with a below average score, but it's a much better place to be than second to last, as it was last year.
  • Kia
    • Image Credit: Kevin Hagen via Getty Images

    Number 20: Kia

    Kia bumped up its score to 79 this year on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. This one point increase still leaves Kia rather far behind its corporate sibling, Hyundai.
  • Mitsubishi
    • Image Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Number 21: Mitsubishi

    Mitsubishi still sits low among Japanese automakers on the American Customer Satisfaction Index. However, it did improve by 2 points to nab a score of 79 and hold its ranking at 21.
  • Dodge
    • Image Credit: Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

    Number 22: Dodge

    Dodge managed to earn a score of 78 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016, which is an improvement of two points. However, that's only enough to move up one place on the board, and it's no longer the best-performaning Fiat Chrysler brand.
  • Jeep
    • Image Credit: Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

    Number 23: Jeep

    Jeep improved its American Customer Satisfaction Index score by 3 points to tie Dodge at 78. Unfortunately for Jeep, it still has come in third to last on the board.
  • VW
    • Image Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Number 24: Volkswagen

    Volkswagen dropped 2 points to a score of 78 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. Considering all the flak the German automaker took over the diesel emissions scandal, it shouldn't be that surprising to see customer satisfaction dip. What is surprising, is that there is still one company that managed to score lower.
  • Acura
    • Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Number 25: Acura

    From second place last year, to dead last this year, Acura had a serious stumble. The company is now the lowest-ranked Japanese brand with a score of 76 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2016. The company saw an 8-percent drop from its previous score of 83.

    Acura has already suffered from a bit of an identity crisis, and a drop in satisfaction doesn't help the company. However, considering the gains corporate parent Honda made, it shouldn't be too hard for the company to turn things around.
  List
Share This Photo X