This German Automaker Leads The U.S. Auto Market In Customer Satisfaction

Despite being the new kid on the block, Tesla has been the leading force in customer satisfaction in the BEV (battery electric vehicle) space for a long time now. This is thanks in part to the unique flavor of Tesla owners, who are known for their dogmatic affiliation and loyalty to their brand.

Yet, a household name in the traditional automaker space, German luxury powerhouse, Porsche, has come for what is theirs in 2024. J.D. Power’s annual APEAL Study customer satisfaction survey released today revealed that Porsche scored an all-time high 877 score (out of 1,000), overtaking Tesla’s 870-point score for the year.

One thing that may come as a surprise, however, is that Rivian scored better than Tesla as well. But that does not diminish Porsche’s feat, since now, the German brand was not only able to beat Tesla at its own game, but is also at the top of all other premium legacy automakers.

This is an impressive rebound, as for the last two years there has been an overall decline in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s annual survey. The 2024 edition of this survey is based on responses from 99,144 owners of new 2024 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership.

This means this survey is not taking into account factors such as upkeep cost or reliability, but rather, the lasting impression a new vehicle makes on new car buyers. Luxury car brands have always led in this metric compared to mass-market brands, as you always expect a higher emotional attachment value the more you are willing to pay. Let’s discuss the factors that have contributed to Porsche accomplishing this newfound dominance and how the future is shaping the well-known luxury brand.

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Rivian And Tesla Were Not Actually Ranked In The Study

Tesla and Rivian have scores granted to them, but the brands do not meet all the study award criteria. So, even if Rivian managed to score a bit better than Porsche, the German brand still gets ranked at the number one spot, beating Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW, and Mercedes. Regardless, we’ll use an EV from Porsche, the Taycan, and pit it against one from Tesla, the Model S, to illustrate how Porsche beat Tesla at its own game. The same parameters also help explain how Porsche was ranked number one in J.D. Power’s APEAL Study.

So how exactly did Porsche manage to score higher than Tesla? The J.D. Power APEAL Study measures 37 different attributes ranging from the feeling of the pedal during acceleration to the comfort of the driver’s seat. Yet, it was both improved battery range and interior material quality that appealed as the most important factors to 2024 model year buyers.

Porsche’s Improved Battery Range

2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Performance Specifications

Porsche has consistently improved their battery technology over the years and the results are showing. For example, the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo S’ net battery capacity is 97 kWh, compared to the 2024 model’s 83.7 kWh net capacity.

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2024 Tesla Model S Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive Vs 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid Tri-Motor All-Wheel Drive Powertrain Specs

Despite this, Tesla still edges out the superior net capacity in the 2024 Tesla Model S and Model S Plaid with 99.3 kWh and 98 kWh net capacity respectively. Yet, BEV owners still prefer the Porsche model because the range capability is now within shooting distance. You might say that Tesla is missing out on some of the cake by not offering a $200,000+ pure luxury vehicle like their competitors.

Porsche Interior Quality Is Not A Game

2025 Porsche Taycan Pricing

A more obvious metric where Porsche has managed to outshine Tesla is in the continued improvement of their interior quality. 2024 BEV buyers have made clear that if they are going to pay a premium for an EV, the interior quality needs to be up to par.

Interior and material quality is not something Porsche has ever cut corners on in their higher-end vehicles and this stands as an obvious point of pride for the brand. The interior of the 2024 Taycan offers sophistication blended with simplicity all while emphasizing the use of high-quality materials. All things accounted for, this is the bare minimum you would expect of a vehicle with a starting price point of $90,900.

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How the Porsche Taycan Became A Star

The running narrative in local social media comment sections related to the Porsche Taycan will lead you to believe that the Taycan has soiled the integrity of the pure Porsche brand. Yet, anyone who can afford a six-figure EV will tell you the exact opposite.

Varied And Expensive Body Styles

A quick journey to Porsche’s website will offer you up to 10 different Taycan models of all flavors, including 6 Taycan 4-door models and 4 Taycan Cross Turismo models. With a starting price of just under $100,000 and top-tier offerings well over $200,000 a pop, the Taycan is ready to offer an unrivaled luxury experience at the expense of some serious cash.

At this price point, the cheapest Taycan is more expensive than any available Tesla model and, as a result, is essentially in a different market of its own. The Taycan is an ultra-premium option for buyers looking for a no-expense-spared experience in the EV segment in a way Tesla is not able to match.

Supercar Prices Mean Supercar Performance

Base Powertrain Comparison

• 	Porsche Taycan Turbo GT	Tesla Model S Plaid
  Model	Porsche Taycan Turbo GT	Tesla Model S Plaid
  Transmission	1-speed and 2-speed gearboxes	Single-speed automatic
  Horsepower	778-1,019 HP	1,020 HP
  Torque	988 LB-FT	1,050 LB-FT
  Driveline	AWD	AWD
  Range	328-344 Miles	359 Miles
  Charge Time	11 hours @ 11 kW	15 hours @ 220V
  0-60 MPH	2.3 Seconds	1.99 Seconds
  Quarter-Mile	9.5 Seconds	9.23 Seconds

When the Tesla Model S Plaid first debuted in 2021, it defined itself as the highest-performance EV model ever created. While it took a while for them to catch up, Porsche came out ready to play hardball with their 1,000+ horsepower Taycan Turbo GT.

Yet, in standard Porsche fashion, their highest horsepower production vehicle ever also comes with a sky-high starting price point of $230,000. As far as performance per dollar is concerned, the Model S Plaid is light-years ahead of the Porsche equivalent. Yet, if you are looking for a no-compromise experience of ridiculous luxury, the brand on the front of the hood is going to have to be Porsche.

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The Feature All Buyers Continue To Complain About

According to the J.D. Power APEAL Study, of the 10 factors new owners were surveyed about, the most common complaint continues to be the infotainment system. With the increasing complexity of technology in all automotive segments, automakers continue to fail to find the middle ground between ease of use and accessibility.

Switching Sources Is As Annoying As It Was a Decade Ago

Sometimes we wish someone would figure out how to make device pairing a simple process that doesn’t take several minutes to accomplish. This pairing process, along with switching between your audio sources, like between radio and Bluetooth, remains a lingering issue with 2024 model year vehicles.

The Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Wars Continue

A large contributing factor to continued dissatisfaction with modern infotainment systems is the back-and-forth relationship most automakers have developed with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Automakers continue to be torn between providing bespoke technology solutions or deferring these responsibilities to the two telecommunications giants.

One fact that remains true is that, because of the current madness and indecision surrounding this topic, consumers have suffered as a result. The facts clearly state that new car owners prefer Apple CarPlay/Android Auto over manufacturer-designed solutions. Whether automakers can overlook their pride and accept this fact is a completely different question.

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The Current Porsche Line-up And The Near Future

Porsche has managed to finally beat Tesla at their own game after years of effort, so what does the EV and hybrid future hold in store for the German luxury brand?

The First-Ever Hybrid Porsche 911

Porsche’s electrified success has finally prompted them to create the first 911 model offering a hybrid powertrain in the 2025 Porsche 911 GTS. Yet, unlike most hybrids, the electric system in the 911 sports car exists for the sake of increased performance.

Alongside its hybrid system, an electric turbocharger is also part of the engine unit, making turbo lag a fleeting thought of the past. Along with other performance innovations, the 2025 911 GTS model will be a preview of the future of Porsche’s performance focus over the next decade.

The Compact SUV Revolution And The 2025 Porsche Macan Electric

Although everyone has come to know Porsche through their iconic 911 model, it is the Macan compact SUV that has taken the world by storm. The Macan debuted in 2014 and quickly became the German brand’s best-selling model.

The success of the Macan has prompted Porsche to focus on their popular SUV more than ever, resulting in the 2025 Macan Electric, an entirely new line-up of EV Macan models. This means there is now a standard gas-powered Macan line along with a full-electric Macan line.

Combining their best-selling model with their latest technology seems like a natural fit, but the tangible results are only coming to fruition now. Porsche has been carefully positioning their vehicle line-up for success and longevity. Right now, in the 2025 model year market, the German luxury brand’s vehicles and quality standards are among the best across all available segments.