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Hyundai wins most awards in JD Power APEAL study for 2024

Hyundai Motor Group (including Kia and Genesis) earned the most individual model awards in the JD Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study for 2024, while Porsche was the highest-scoring auto brand.

The study this year took in responses from 99,144 vehicle owners of new 2024 models, after 90 days of ownership. All of the results are then scored out of 1000 based on responses surrounding 37 different areas, such as the sense of comfort when first stepping in, performance, and infotainment practicality.

Some of the key findings from this year’s study include a higher sense of appeal for EVs made by traditional manufacturers. In a statement, JD Power said: “Across all fuel types, emotional satisfaction is highest among owners of non-Tesla BEVs (877), surpassing Tesla (870), owners of gasoline (842) and plug-in hybrid (841) vehicles.”

2024 JD Power APEAL Study - mainstream brands

Premium brands also carry a higher emotional connection for owners, while infotainment systems seem to be getting more complicated and frustrating for owners. In the statement, Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at JD Power, said:

“Automakers keep pouring additional features into their vehicle infotainment systems, but it appears to be creating needless complexity. Owners struggle to perform simple audio-related tasks, so it begs the question whether automakers are actually in tune with the desires and needs of their customers.”

2024 BMW i7 7 Series

Hyundai Motor Group took home the most wins for individual models, with seven model lines taking out their respective class, followed by BMW and then Toyota. The BMW 7 Series was the highest-scoring individual model, while Porsche was the highest-scoring vehicle brand overall.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe emerged as the top contender in the mid-size SUV segment, impressing owners with its bold and rugged design, spacious cabin and up-to-date technologies. Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai North America, said:

“This recognition underscores Santa Fe’s ability to resonate deeply with our community through its standout aesthetic and family-friendly features.”

2024 JD Power APEAL Study - premium brands

In addition to the Santa Fe triumph, the 2024 Hyundai Kona also performed admirably, securing second place in the small SUV segment. Hyundai’s overall performance in the APEAL Study saw the brand climb three ranks, achieving fourth place among mass-market automakers.

Adding to the accolades for Hyundai Motor Group, the 2024 Genesis GV60 was named the top small premium SUV for the second consecutive year in the same study. The GV60 excelled in six categories: powertrain, driving comfort, interior, driving feel, getting in/out, and setting up/starting.

In other segments, the BMW 2 Series was the highest-scoring Small Premium Car, the Lexus LC was the winner for Premium Sporty Car class, and the Lexus RX won the Midsize Premium SUV segment. See below for all of the vehicle category winners:

2024 JD Power APEAL Study - individual models

2024 JD Power APEAL Study - individual models

2024 JD Power APEAL Study - individual models

Brett Davis

Brett started out as a motor mechanic but eventually became frustrated working on cars that weren't his. He then earned a degree in journalism and scored a job at Top Gear Australia back in 2008, and then worked at Zoom/Extreme Performance magazines, CarAdvice, and started PerformanceDrive/PDriveTV in 2011 with Josh Bennis, and ran it for 12 years. He's now the owner and managing editor here at Driving Enthusiast.

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