VW Is JD Power’s Highest Ranked Non-Premium Brand

JD Power just released the results of their APEAL Study and the Volkswagen Brand has come out on top among non-premium brands. VW scored an impressive 809 (out of 1000) points, exceeding the non-premium average by 15 points.

“The JD Power APEAL Study is a great proof point of a brand’s appeal to new car buyers,” says Hinrich Woebcken, President and CEO of VGoA. “It’s very encouraging for everyone that Volkswagen heads up the non-premium nameplates.”

APEAL stands for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout, and attempts to determine what new cars and features will appeal most to car buyers.

This year, the study determined that safety features were among the most appealing to owners. Vehicles equipped with blind spot monitoring and collision avoidance technology scored substantially higher than those without.

“Technology-enabled safety features help drivers feel more comfortable and confident while driving their vehicles,” says Renee Stephens, VP of US Automotive Quality at JD Power.

The Volkswagen Group as a whole also performed well on the test. For the 12^th time in a row, Porsche was rated highest overall in the study. The 911, the Boxster, the Macan, and the Audi A6, meanwhile, were among the segment winners.

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