
Study: This BMW Is The Most Satisfying New Car
BMW owners are still a passionate bunch
J.D. Power just released the results of its 2025 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which is a measure of how satisfied consumers are with their new vehicles. The study takes into account 37 attributes, including performance, technology, comfort, and personalization. This year, owners of 2025 model year cars were surveyed on how they felt about their vehicles after 90 days of ownership.
Not only are brands ranked, but the different vehicle segments demonstrate some interesting winners. The highest-rated vehicle in the entire study comes from BMW, and while it's a vehicle many people love to hate, its owners are clearly smitten with it.
BMW X6 Is The Most Satisfying Individual Model
Yes, the coupe-style X6 that was a trailblazer for the sporty body style back in the 2000s is still massively appealing today. It was the X6 that launched the brand's sports activity coupe (SAC) moniker, a term that mostly goes right over the head of the average motorist.
The X6's top ranking is based on the 2025 model, which received tech updates like a new hands-free driving assistant and improved navigation. That came after the more substantial 2024 update, when the X6 received fresh styling and a more powerful base six-cylinder engine.
Despite not being as practical as the X5, the X6 benefits from similarly sharp handling and superb powertrains, topped by the 523-horsepower V8 in the M60i. There's still the mighty X6 M for those in need of more power, at the expense of some comfort.
Impressively, the X6 is the top-rated individual model in the study for 2025 despite this generation of the SUV arriving back in 2019.
BMW Is Most Awarded Automaker, But Porsche Tops Overall Brand Rankings
It's not only the X6 that impressed in this year's APEAL study. The 4 Series, X1, and X4 also topped their segments, while the three-row X7 was a runner-up in the large premium SUV category. Looking at the BMW Group as a whole, the Countryman added another win for the company in the small SUV segment.
In the premium brand rankings, BMW came third with a score of 881 out of a maximum 1,000 points. Only Land Rover (886) and Porsche (890) accumulated more points. In the premium sporty car and upper midsize premium car categories, Porsche emerged victorious with the 911 and Taycan, respectively.
2025 Porsche Taycan —
Source: Porsche
J.D. Power said that overall vehicle satisfaction increased by 4 index points compared to a year ago, and is also at the highest level since the study was redesigned in 2020.
'For three decades, the APEAL Study has tracked which new vehicles excite and delight owners the most,' said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. 'Manufacturers have made significant advancements that continue to redefine the vehicle ownership experience and have become more adept at translating innovation into meaningful customer engagement.'
Although overall levels of satisfaction increased, the results do show that owners of new cars are less enthused with new vehicle technologies, especially infotainment menu complexity and setting up a new vehicle.
BMW will be thrilled with the latest results, though, and this is also reflected on the sales charts, where the brand is handsomely outselling key rivals.
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