J.D. Power 2013 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study

J.D. Power 2013 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study

Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout--APEAL--is how J.D. Power measures the 'gratification' a car owner experiences with each new model on the market. For automakers, the vehicles that are the most gratifying, those with the highest APEAL, tend to remain on dealer lots for shorter periods, command higher transaction prices, and are more likely to create owner loyalty when they are ultimately sold or traded-in.

The results of the latest APEAL Study are based on the responses of people that have bought or leased new vehicles. In the study, they are asked to evaluate their vehicles on 77 different attributes (e.g. infotainment, safety, fuel-economy) and from this a score out of 1,000 maximum points is calculated.

The 2013 study was fielded between February and May 2013 and incorporated responses from over 83,000 people.

It probably comes as no surprise that Porsche is once again the highest-ranked brand in the study, since it’s held this position for the previous eight years. Its score was 884 out of the possible 1,000 points.

Close behind was fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi with a score of 857. and then it was BMW in third with 854 points. The Smart brand came last in the annual ranking.

As for individual vehicles, Land Rover’s Range Rover SUV was the highest-ranking vehicle in the 2013 study, which marks the first time a model outside the large premium car segment has done so.

Other top contenders in their respective classes include the BMW 5-Series, Buick Encore, Dodge Charger, Fiat 500, Honda Odyssey, Kia Soul, Lexus LS, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda CX-5, and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

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