- Acura
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ferrari
- Fiat
- Ford
- Genesis
- GMC
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Kia
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Lotus
- Lucid
- Maserati
- Maybach
- Mazda
- McLaren
- Mercedes-Benz
- MINI
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Pagani
- Porsche
- Ram
- Rivian
- Rolls-Royce
- SMART
- Subaru
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
People Least Enjoy Buying A Car From These 5 Very Popular Brands
The J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study serves as a critical pulse check for the automotive industry, measuring how deeply new-vehicle owners connect with their vehicles during the initial 90-day ownership window.
Rather than counting mechanical failures or build defects, this research focuses entirely on emotional attachment and driving excitement. The methodology compiles user feedback across 37 unique vehicle attributes, evaluating real-world factors like seating comfort, interior storage, technology layout, and overall powertrain execution.
J.D. Power surveyed 78,514 verified owners of new model-year vehicles. While the broader industry saw a positive shift—pushing the overall mass-market segment average to 846 points on a 1,000-point scale—several mainstream brands failed to keep pace with consumer expectations. The following index details the five lowest-performing eligible mass-market brands based on the latest owner satisfaction rankings.
5. Toyota (839)
Toyota starts the bottom five lowest-scoring mainstream brands, posting an index score of 839. Squeaking in just below the segment average, the brand's placement mirrors the complications often tied to major vehicle updates. Buyers indicated that complex initial digital setups, menu-heavy infotainment configurations, and stiffer ride characteristics on newer models detracted from the initial driving experience.
4. Honda (838)
Honda shares the 838-point mark, cementing its position in the lower tier of this year's study. Despite its historical reputation for building dependable, highly ergonomic commuter platforms, recent vehicles have drawn criticism during the first three months of ownership. Consumers expressed frustration with the learning curves associated with updated driver-assistance software parameters and certain interior storage constraints.
3. Subaru (838)
Subaru ties for the third-lowest spot in the mass-market tier, finishing eight points underneath the industry baseline at 838. Known primarily for its standard all-wheel-drive passenger cars and crossovers, the brand suffered in buyer evaluations due to dated cabin electronics. Owners frequently noted sluggish touchscreen responses and overly utilitarian interior layouts that lacked the modern visual appeal found in rival cabins.
2. Mazda (836)
Mazda lands in the second-lowest position with a score of 836. Despite the brand's efforts to position its lineup further upmarket with premium interior materials and driver-focused chassis tuning, the final execution fell short for mainstream buyers. Owners voiced dissatisfaction with constrained rear-seat legroom across its crossover portfolio and complex infotainment control interfaces that introduced everyday operational friction.
1. Jeep (817)
Jeep finishes at the bottom of the rank-eligible mass-market field, scoring 817 points out of 1,000. This places the off-road brand 29 points below the segment average. While the brand's rugged exterior designs generally resonate well with its buyer base, owners reported lower satisfaction regarding daily driving dynamics, highway cabin acoustics, and fuel efficiency metrics compared to more street-oriented crossover alternatives.
