The Porsche 911 Named The Top-Ranked Sports Car in Customer Satisfaction

While it was reported that most customers these days consider new cars to be best described as “meh”, there were still certain models that left customers happy in the long term. Sports cars are one particular class of vehicles that have some of the most active and loyal fanbases around, and in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study, the Porsche 911 was declared the highest-ranking model in owner satisfaction.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study’s results are based on answers given by 84,555 car owners of a new 2023 model-year vehicle 90 days after purchase. Held from February through May 2023, the APEAL study was based on vehicles that were registered from November 2022 through February 2023. Customers would be asked about 10 personal experiences regarding their new vehicles:

1. How they feel when they walk up to it
2. How they feel when they start it up
3. Entering and Exiting the vehicle
4. How they feel about their car’s interior
5. How they feel while driving it
6. How safe they feel inside it
7. Their thoughts on the infotainment system
8. Their thoughts on the powertrain
9. How comfortable their car makes them feel
10. Their thoughts on its fuel economy

Many brands will use the answers given by customers as part of their market research for what potential customers will look for in future purchases.

How Was The Porsche 911 Able To Satisfy Customers the Most?

After the final entry was tallied, it was the Porsche 911 that made its customers the happiest after 90 days of ownership.

Many owners said that they were very satisfied with how easily they were able to enter and exit their Porsche, weave in and out of busy traffic, how the car’s compact size allows them to fit in tight parking spaces, and its ample storage space.

However, despite being on top, the Porsche 911 isn’t infallible. Some of the downsides to owning this model included its inability to soften its drivers and passengers from outside noises, how it isn’t the most comfortable ride, and how its voice assistant could be more reliable.

What Model Was The Runner-Up?

Trailing behind it was the Chevrolet Corvette, which may have upset many passionate owners to lose to the German-engineered sports car.

According to new Corvette owners participating in the study, they are satisfied with their cars thanks to its ability to insulate its passengers from exterior noises, being very comfortable to ride, and praising its top-shelf sound system.

But just like the Posche 911, there are some downsides the owning a Corvette. One of them being how difficult it can be entering and exiting the vehicle. This has been a common complaint among Corvette owners for many years, and it continues to this day. The car had also received criticism for how difficult it can be to control while in dense traffic, as well as tight parking situations. Lastly, some Corvette riders were not fully confident in their car’s ability to handle wet surfaces.

It can certainly feel like nitpicking down to the smallest detail. But perhaps in 2024, the American Corvette will be able to overtake its German rival.