Dodge brand jumps up the JD Power survey
Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger top their segments
The J.D. Power and Associates’ U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study may be a boringly long title, but this is an extremely important annual US survey that rates just how satisfied owners are with their cars in the first 90 days.
The APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes. It identifies consumer likes and dislikes about their vehicle during the first three months of ownership, particularly regarding vehicle design, content, layout and performance.
Unsurprisingly then, Chrysler’s feeling rather pleased with itself then because it’s earned significant improvements across its brands with all of them showing improved scores over last year’s results. The Dodge brand was the most improved, increasing 21 points. The Ram brand improved with a 19 point increase.
The Dodge Charger ranked highest in the “Large Car” segment and the Dodge Challenger topped the “Midsize Sporty” segment. This was the second year in a row that both vehicles ranked highest in their respective classes. (see how the Charger SRT8 did against rivals in our test).
“The short front overhang, the wheelbase, the wheels out at the corners and the muscular track all point to a Charger that is absolutely well balanced,” said Jack Rodencal, Managing Director, Chrysler Group Middle East.
“Add to this muscular powerplants in the form of the exciting 3.6-litre Pentastar and legendary 5.7-litre HEMI® V8 plus an interior that exudes luxury and class and you have a car that is handsome and evocative. It truly is a masterpiece of engineering and design, and with a choice of models, there is a Charger to suit everyone’s needs.”
“This year’s study results are a clear indication that Chrysler Group’s focus on quality, design and performance is being recognised and appreciated by customers,” added Rodencal. “We listen to our customers and continually implement changes to our vehicles to meet, and exceed, their needs.”
The Chrysler 300 finished second in the “Large Car” segment behind the Dodge Charger, while the Fiat 500 made its study debut finishing second in the “Sub-Compact Car” category.
The top five ranking brands in the Study were Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.
Top three models per segment were as follows (and click on the links to read our verdicts):
Sub-compact car: Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta
Compact car: Chevrolet Volt, Volkswagen Golf, Honda CR-Z
Compact sporty car: Mini Coupe/Roadster, Volkswagen GTI, Mini Cooper
Compact premium sporty car: Mercedes SLK, Mercedes E-Class Coupe/Convertible
Entry premium car: BMW 3 series, BMW 1 series, Audi A4/5
Midsize sporty car: Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang
Midsize premium car: Audi A6, BMW 5 series, Mercedes E-class
Large premium car: Jaguar XJ, Porsche Panamera
Midsize car: Kia Optima (tie), Volkswagen Passat (tie), Suzuki Kizashi
Large car: Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 series, Nissan Maxima
Premium sporty car: Porsche 911, BMW 6 series
Compact crossover/SUV: Mini Countryman, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage
Compact MPV: Kia Soul, Toyota Prius
Entry premium crossover/SUV: Range Rover Evoque, BMW X3, Audi Q5
Midsize crossover/SUV: Ford Flex, Honda Crosstour, Dodge Durango
Large crossover/SUV: Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
Midsize premium crossover/SUV: Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 (tie) Mercedes M-class (tie)
Large premium crossover/SUV: Infiniti QX56, Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Large pickup: Chevrolet Avalanche, Ford F-150 LD, Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty
Midsize pickup: Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline
Minivan: Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna
