Emotion can play a big role when you’re choosing a new vehicle. How it looks, how it feels, how it drives, and how it works all contribute to your satisfaction with a purchase, and these are the factors JD Power measures as a part of its annual Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study.
JD Power surveys only verified owners, which means the data that goes into the APEAL Study comes directly from people who actually own the new vehicles. Tens of thousands of in-depth survey responses form the bedrock of the company’s benchmark automotive studies, which help the industry and consumers understand which makes and models best satisfy customers.
This list includes the most appealing 5-passenger midsize SUVs, according to the JD Power 2020 APEAL Study. They are ranked in descending order of overall appeal by index score, starting with the top-rated model. The average index score for this segment is 841.
A 5-passenger crossover SUV that Chevrolet says is inspired by the Camaro, the 2020 Blazer comes in six trim levels with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A 193-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard, with both a 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 available as upgrades. All three engines use a 9-speed automatic transmission. Cargo space behind the Blazer’s back seat measures 30.5 cubic-feet and maximum volume amounts to 64.2 cubic-feet. A Blazer tows up to 4,500 pounds.
The APEAL index score for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer is 876, and the Blazer receives an APEAL award in the Midsize SUV segment.
A staple of the Nissan lineup since the early 2000s, the Murano is a 5-passenger crossover SUV featuring high style, inside and out. It comes in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim, each equipped with a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission that powers the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional. Cargo volume measures 32.1 cubic-feet with the rear seat in use and 67 cubic-feet with it folded down. This SUV’s tow rating tops out at 1,500 pounds.
The APEAL index score for the 2020 Nissan Murano is 866.
Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and an optional 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission to power the front or all four wheels. Cargo space amounts to 35.9 cubic-feet behind the back seat and 71.3 cubic-feet with it folded down, and the Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Starting in 2020, all Hyundai models gain a free maintenance program for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership.
The APEAL index score for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is 851.
Honda resurrected the Passport nameplate for 2019, adding it to a shorter 5-passenger version of the popular Pilot. With a more rugged look, the Passport comes in four different trim levels, each equipped with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine. A 9-speed automatic is standard, powering the front wheels. A torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system is an option. Cargo space amounts to 41.2 cubic-feet behind the back seat and a maximum amount of 77.5 cubic-feet. Honda says the Passport tows up to 5,000 pounds.
The APEAL index score for the 2020 Honda Passport is 844.
Available in five trim levels, the 2020 Ford Edge has a standard 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The Edge ST, a performance-tuned variant, is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 generating 335 horsepower. The turbo four comes with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the Edge ST includes standard AWD. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission, and this Ford can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Cargo volumes measure 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, and 73.4 cubic feet with it folded down.
The APEAL index score for the 2020 Ford Edge is 842.
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