Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

J.D. Power’s most APEALing cars of 2016

The 25 models with the highest J.D. Power APEAL study ratings for 2016

Gerry Malloy
Published: August 2, 2016, 1:30 PM
Updated: August 8, 2016, 6:41 PM

J.D. Power APEAL study winners

The 25 models with the highest J.D. Power APEAL study ratings for 2016 ▲

Things gone right

J.D. Power and Associates has released the results of its annual ‘Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout’ (APEAL) Study for 2016, identifying the highest-ranked vehicles in 25 categories according to the study. The APEAL study examines what consumers in the U.S. like about their new vehicles – often referred to as "things gone right" – after 90 days of ownership. It is based on 77 individual attributes in eight categories of vehicle performance and design: engine/transmission; ride, handling and braking; comfort/convenience; seats; cockpit/instrument panel; heating, ventilation and cooling; sound system; and styling/exterior. ▲

Porsche highest-ranked brand

For the 12th consecutive year, Porsche was the highest-ranking brand overall in the APEAL study, with a score of 877 points. BMW ranked second with 859, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz tied for third at 852, and Land Rover, Lexus and Lincoln tied for fifth with 843. Among non-premium brands, Volkswagen (809) ranked, followed by Mini MINI (808), Kia (807), Ford (803), Ram (803) and GMC (802). ▲

BMW 7 Series - highest-scoring model

The BMW 7 Series was the highest-scoring individual model in the 2016 study, although no award was presented in the large premium car segment as not enough models were represented. Awards were presented in 25 other categories, however. Following are those winners, by category. ▲

City Car: Smart fortwo

Highest-ranked City Car: Smart for-two.  No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. For an award to be presented there had to be at least four vehicles in the segment or, alternatively, three vehicles that covered 80% of sales in the segment. ▲

Small Car: Chevrolet Sonic

Highest-ranked Small Car: Chevrolet Sonic. Runners up: Scion iA and Ford Fiesta ▲

Small Premium Car: BMW 2 Series

Highest-ranked Small Premium Car: BMW 2 Series.   Runners-up: Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3 ▲

Compact Car: Mini Clubman

Highest-ranked Compact Car: Mini Clubman. Runners up: Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Beetle ▲

Compact Sporty Car: Buick Cascada

Highest-Ranked Compact Sporty Car: Buick Cascada.   Runners-up: Mini Cooper and Hyundai Veloster/Mazda MX-5 Miata (tie) ▲

Compact Premium Car: Lexus RC

Highest-ranked Compact Premium Car: Lexus RC. Runners-up: BMW 4 Series and BMW 3 Series ▲

Compact Premium Sporty Car: Porsche Boxster

Highest-ranked Compact Premium Sporty Car: Porsche Boxster.  Runners-up: Audi TT and Porsche Cayman ▲

Mid-size car: Kia Optima

Highest-ranked Mid-size car: Kia Optima.  Runners-up: Nissan Altima/Subaru Legacy (tied) ▲

Mid-size Sporty Car: Chevrolet Camaro

Highest-ranked Mid-size Sporty Car: Chevrolet Camaro.  Runner-up: Dodge Challenger. No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲

Mid-size Premium Car: Audi A6

Highest-ranked Mid-size Premium Car: Audi A6.  Runners-up: Lexus GS and Audi A7 ▲

Mid-size Premium Sporty Car: Porsche 911

Highest-ranked Mid-size Premium Sporty Car: Porsche 911. No runners-up are listed as no other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲

Large Car: Nissan Maxima

Highest-ranked Large Car: Nissan Maxima. Runners-up: Hyundai Azera and Dodge Charger ▲

Small SUV: Hyundai Tucson

Highest-ranked Small SUV: Hyundai Tucson. Runners-up: Subaru Crosstrek and Volkswagen Tiguan ▲

Small Premium SUV: BMW X1

Highest-ranked Small Premium SUV: BMW X1.  Runner-up: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲

Compact SUV: Toyota RAV4

Highest-ranked Compact SUV: Toyota RAV4. Runners-up: Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 ▲

Compact Premium SUV: Porsche Macan

Highest-ranked Premium Compact SUV: Porsche Macan. Runners-up: BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC ▲

Compact MPV: Kia Soul

Highest-ranked Compact MPV: Kia Soul. No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲

Mid-size SUV: Kia Sorento

Highest-ranked Mid-size SUV: Kia Sorento. Runners-up: Ford Edge and Buick Enclave/Jeep Grand Cherokee (tied) ▲

Premium Mid-size SUV: BMW X6

Highest-ranked Premium Mid-size SUV: BMW X6.   Runners-up: BMW X5/Porsche Cayenne ▲

Mid-size Pickup: Chevrolet Colorado

Highest-ranking Mid-size Pickup: Chevrolet Colorado. Runner-up: GMC Canyon. No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲

Minivan: Kia Sedona

Highest-ranked Minivan: Kia Sedona. Runners-up: Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey ▲

Large SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe

Highest-ranked Large SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe. No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲

Large Premium SUV: Land Rover Range Rover

Highest-ranked Large Premium SUV: Land Rover Range Rover. Runners-up: Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class ▲

Large Light-duty Pickup: Nissan Titan

Highest-ranked Large Light-duty Pickup: Nissan Titan. Runners-up: GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado ▲

Large Heavy-duty Pickup: GMC Sierra HD

Highest-ranked Large Heavy-duty Pickup: GMC Sierra HD. Runner-up: Chevrolet Silverado HD. No other model in the segment outperformed the segment average. ▲
New Cars Auto Awards Car Buying