The Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study

See What Drives Owner Delight

U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study gives automotive brands the real-world clarity they need to design, support and differentiate vehicles that owners love.

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What It Measures

A Complete View of Owner Experience

Evaluates owner sentiment across the first 90 days of ownership:

• Design, performance, and driving enjoyment
• Comfort, usability, and feature execution
• Perceived quality and emotional connection

Tracks:

• Satisfaction across 35+ attributes and 10 experience categories

How It Works

How APEAL Works

• Surveys verified new-vehicle owners after 90 days of ownership
• Captures satisfaction, excitement, and emotional connection
• Measures full ownership experience across key attributes and categories

Core Strengths

Stronger Differentiation, Better Decisions

• Identifies the features owners value most
• Reveals strengths and weaknesses across brands and models
• Benchmarks performance against the industry
• Highlights opportunities to differentiate and improve
• Creates annual rankings and awards-licensing opportunities for top-performing brands

Business Impact

Improve Products, Strengthen Launches

• Prioritizes product and feature development based on real owner expectations
• Strengthens launch planning, marketing messages, and dealer communication
• Compares performance against direct competitors and segment leaders
• Supports higher residual values and stronger customer retention

Key Dates

2026

Fielding: June 2025 – May 2026
Publish: July 21, 2026
Press Release: July 23, 2026

Press Release & Award Information

JD Power issues a national press release highlighting key findings and top-to-bottom rankings from the study. The brand(s) that rank highest in each award-eligible segment and meet predetermined award criteria will have the opportunity to enter into a licensing agreement through the JD Power Awards Program, which requires subscribing to the study as a prerequisite. Entering into a licensing agreement provides top-ranked brands with the valuable opportunity to market their award-winning performance. As the trusted symbol of excellence, JD Power Awards enhance brand perceptions, drive consumer preference, and differentiate awarded brands in competitive marketplaces.

Three identical JD Power awards made of clear glass with gold bases and text. Each award features the JD Power logo and the phrase 'The Voice of The Customer'.

Profiled Series

2027 Small Premium Car

Acura Integra
Audi A3
BMW 2 Series
Mercedes-Benz CLA

2027 Sporty Car

Dodge Charger/Charger EV
Ford Mustang
Mazda MX-5 Miata
MINI Cooper
Nissan Z
Subaru BRZ
Subaru WRX
Toyota 86

2027 Premium Sporty Car

Chevrolet Corvette
Mercedes-Benz SL
Porsche 718
Porsche 911
Toyota GR Supra

2027 Compact Car

Fiat 500
Honda Civic
Honda Prelude
Hyundai Elantra
Kia EV4
Kia K4
Mazda MAZDA3
Nissan Sentra
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta

2027 Compact Premium Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5
BMW 3 Series/i3
BMW 4 Series / i4
Genesis G70
Infiniti Q50
Lexus ES
Lexus IS
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLE
Tesla Model 3
Volvo S60
Volvo V60

2027 Midsize Car

Honda Accord
Hyundai IONIQ 6
Hyundai Sonata
Kia K5
Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry
Toyota Crown
Toyota Mirai

2027 Upper Midsize Premium Car

Audi A6/A6 e-tron
Audi A7
Audi e-tron GT
BMW 5 Series / i5
Genesis G80
Mercedes-Benz CLS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz EQE
Porsche Taycan
Volvo S90/ES90

2027 Large Premium Car

Audi A8
BMW 7 Series / i7
Genesis G90
Genesis GT90
Jaguar Type 01
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Porsche Panamera

2027 Small SUV

Buick Encore GX
Buick Envista
Chevrolet Bolt
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Chevrolet Trax
Ford Bronco Sport
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Venue
Jeep Compass
Jeep Renegade
Kia EV3
Kia Niro
Kia Seltos
Mazda CX-30
MINI Countryman / Countryman Electric
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportsback
Nissan Kicks
Nissan LEAF
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Uncharted
Toyota C-HR
Toyota Corolla Cross
Volkswagen Taos

2027 Small Premium SUV

Acura ADX
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Audi Q3
BMW X1
BMW X2
Genesis GV60
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Lexus UX
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Volvo C40/EC40
Volvo XC40/EX40

2027 Compact SUV

Buick Envision
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Bronco
Ford Mustang Mach-E
GMC Terrain
Honda CR-V
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Recon
Jeep Wrangler
Kia EV6
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-50
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Subaru Solterra
Toyota bZ4X/bZ
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen Tiguan

2027 Compact Premium SUV

Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Audi Q4 e-tron
Audi Q5
Audi Q6 e-tron
BMW X3/iX3
BMW X4
Cadillac XT4
Genesis GV70
Land Rover Defender Sport
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Lexus NX
Lexus RZ
Lincoln Corsair
Maserati Grecale
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Porsche Macan
Rivian R2
Tesla Model Y
Volvo XC60/EX60

2027 Midsize SUV

Chevrolet Blazer
Honda Passport
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Wagoneer S
Mazda CX-70
Nissan Murano
Subaru Getaway
Subaru Outback
Subaru Trailseeker
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota bZ Woodland
Toyota Crown Signia
Toyota Land Cruiser

2027 Midsize Premium SUV

Acura MDX
Cadillac OPTIQ
Cadillac XT5
Infiniti QX60
Infiniti QX65
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover Range Rover Velar
Lexus GX
Lexus RX
Lexus TX
Lexus TZ
Lincoln Nautilus

2027 Upper Midsize SUV

Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer
GMC Acadia
Honda Pilot
Hyundai IONIQ 9
Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia EV9
Kia Sorento
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX-90
Nissan Pathfinder
Subaru Ascent
Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Atlas

2027 Upper Midsize Premium SUV

Audi Q7
Audi Q8
BMW X5
BMW X6
Cadillac LYRIQ
Cadillac VISTIQ
Cadillac XT6
Genesis GV80
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Land Rover GT
Lincoln Aviator
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Porsche Cayenne
Rivian R1S
Volvo XC90/EX90

2027 Large SUV

Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Nissan Armada
Toyota Sequoia

2027 Large Premium SUV

Audi Q9
BMW X7
Cadillac Escalade/Escalade IQ
Genesis GV90
GMC Hummer EV SUV
Infiniti QX80
Land Rover Range Rover
Lexus LX
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLS

2027 Minivan

Chrysler Pacifica
Honda Odyssey
Kia Carnival
Mercedes-Benz VLE
Toyota Sienna
Volkswagen ID.Buzz

2027 Midsize Pickup

Chevrolet Colorado
Ford Maverick
Ford Ranger
Ford Fathom
GMC Canyon
Honda Ridgeline
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Jeep Gladiator
Mitsubishi Pickup Truck
Nissan Frontier
Toyota Tacoma

2027 Large Light Duty Pickup

Chevrolet Silverado/Silverado EV
Ford F-150
GMC Hummer EV
GMC Sierra/Sierra EV
Ram 1500
Rivian R1T
Tesla Cybertruck
Toyota Tundra

2027 Large Heavy Duty Pickup

Chevrolet Silverado HD
Ford Super Duty
GMC Sierra HD
Ram 2500/3500

View all

2027 Compact Car

Fiat 500
Honda Civic
Honda Prelude
Hyundai Elantra
Kia EV4
Kia K4
Mazda MAZDA3
Nissan Sentra
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta

 

2027 Compact Premium Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5
BMW 3 Series/i3
BMW 4 Series / i4
Genesis G70
Infiniti Q50
Lexus ES
Lexus IS
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLE
Tesla Model 3
Volvo S60
Volvo V60

 

2027 Midsize Car

Honda Accord
Hyundai IONIQ 6
Hyundai Sonata
Kia K5
Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry
Toyota Crown
Toyota Mirai

 

2027 Upper Midsize Premium Car

Audi A6/A6 e-tron
Audi A7
Audi e-tron GT
BMW 5 Series / i5
Genesis G80
Mercedes-Benz CLS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz EQE
Porsche Taycan
Volvo S90/ES90

 

2027 Large Premium Car

Audi A8
BMW 7 Series / i7
Genesis G90
Genesis GT90
Jaguar Type 01
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Porsche Panamera

 

2027 Small SUV

Buick Encore GX
Buick Envista
Chevrolet Bolt
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Chevrolet Trax
Ford Bronco Sport
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Venue
Jeep Compass
Jeep Renegade
Kia EV3
Kia Niro
Kia Seltos
Mazda CX-30
MINI Countryman / Countryman Electric
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportsback
Nissan Kicks
Nissan LEAF
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Uncharted
Toyota C-HR
Toyota Corolla Cross
Volkswagen Taos

 

2027 Small Premium SUV

Acura ADX
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Audi Q3
BMW X1
BMW X2
Genesis GV60
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Lexus UX
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Volvo C40/EC40
Volvo XC40/EX40

 

2027 Compact SUV

Buick Envision
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Bronco
Ford Mustang Mach-E
GMC Terrain
Honda CR-V
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Recon
Jeep Wrangler
Kia EV6
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-50
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Subaru Solterra
Toyota bZ4X/bZ
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen Tiguan

 

2027 Compact Premium SUV

Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Audi Q4 e-tron
Audi Q5
Audi Q6 e-tron
BMW X3/iX3
BMW X4
Cadillac XT4
Genesis GV70
Land Rover Defender Sport
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Lexus NX
Lexus RZ
Lincoln Corsair
Maserati Grecale
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Porsche Macan
Rivian R2
Tesla Model Y
Volvo XC60/EX60

 

2027 Midsize SUV

Chevrolet Blazer
Honda Passport
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Wagoneer S
Mazda CX-70
Nissan Murano
Subaru Getaway
Subaru Outback
Subaru Trailseeker
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota bZ Woodland
Toyota Crown Signia
Toyota Land Cruiser

 

2027 Midsize Premium SUV

Acura MDX
Cadillac OPTIQ
Cadillac XT5
Infiniti QX60
Infiniti QX65
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover Range Rover Velar
Lexus GX
Lexus RX
Lexus TX
Lexus TZ
Lincoln Nautilus

 

2027 Upper Midsize SUV

Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer
GMC Acadia
Honda Pilot
Hyundai IONIQ 9
Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia EV9
Kia Sorento
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX-90
Nissan Pathfinder
Subaru Ascent
Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Atlas

 

2027 Upper Midsize Premium SUV

Audi Q7
Audi Q8
BMW X5
BMW X6
Cadillac LYRIQ
Cadillac VISTIQ
Cadillac XT6
Genesis GV80
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Land Rover GT
Lincoln Aviator
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Porsche Cayenne
Rivian R1S
Volvo XC90/EX90

 

2027 Large SUV

Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Nissan Armada
Toyota Sequoia

 

2027 Large Premium SUV

Audi Q9
BMW X7
Cadillac Escalade/Escalade IQ
Genesis GV90
GMC Hummer EV SUV
Infiniti QX80
Land Rover Range Rover
Lexus LX
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLS

 

2027 Minivan

Chrysler Pacifica
Honda Odyssey
Kia Carnival
Mercedes-Benz VLE
Toyota Sienna
Volkswagen ID.Buzz

 

2027 Midsize Pickup

Chevrolet Colorado
Ford Maverick
Ford Ranger
Ford Fathom
GMC Canyon
Honda Ridgeline
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Jeep Gladiator
Mitsubishi Pickup Truck
Nissan Frontier
Toyota Tacoma

 

2027 Large Light Duty Pickup

Chevrolet Silverado/Silverado EV
Ford F-150
GMC Hummer EV
GMC Sierra/Sierra EV
Ram 1500
Rivian R1T
Tesla Cybertruck
Toyota Tundra

 

2027 Large Heavy Duty Pickup

Chevrolet Silverado HD
Ford Super Duty
GMC Sierra HD
Ram 2500/3500

 

2027 Sporty Car

Dodge Charger/Charger EV
Ford Mustang
Mazda MX-5 Miata
MINI Cooper
Nissan Z
Subaru BRZ
Subaru WRX
Toyota 86

 

2027 Small Premium Car

Acura Integra
Audi A3
BMW 2 Series
Mercedes-Benz CLA

 

2027 Premium Sporty Car

Chevrolet Corvette
Mercedes-Benz SL
Porsche 718
Porsche 911
Toyota GR Supra

Who should use it

Designed for Teams Shaping the Customer Experience

• OEM product, design and engineering teams
• Component engineering teams
• Marketing and brand leaders
• Residual value and remarketing analysts
• Tier 1 suppliers

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