Porsche Delivers Tons of Mass ‘APEAL’ in Latest J.D. Power Study
Third-gen Porsche Cayenne takes home the gold in its category, brand takes the top spot overall.
There’s no doubting that Porsche is the ultimate driving machine (despite what those Bavarians might say). Whether you need just two doors or four, a grand tourer, sports car, or a solid off-roader, Stuttgart has the right model for the job. It also helps that each vehicle Porsche makes is well-made, executed flawlessly, and, of course, provides the high performance fans of the company can never do without.
We’re not the only ones to notice any of this, either. J.D. Power recently unveiled its 2019 APEAL Study, which covers “automotive performance, execution, and layout.” The results of the study confirmed what we already knew, and what everyone else should know: Porsche is the best brand of them all, period.
You’ve likely heard of J.D. Power’s greatest hits, like their Initial Quality Study — which Porsche’s 911 took the overall top spot in this year’s study, by the way — but those of us who haven’t heard of the APEAL study before, Porsche says the study “measures owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle across 77 attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat to the power they feel when they step on the gas,” like what Rennlist forum member bmwtye feels with his 911 build.
Each brand and selected models are rated against a 1,000-point scale, where high scores mean any given brand or model is the best of the best. This year, the study gathered responses from 68,000 owners and lessees of 2019 vehicles between February and May, each surveyed after 90 days of possession for their impressions, possibly including those who got a chance to take the 992 911 around the Nurburgring like those captured in this photo by forum member (and participant) Chris3963.
Porsche scored 891 points on the scale in this year’s APEAL study; the average score for premium brands is 853, 823 for all brands. The new score is an improvement over last year’s 883 points and the brand’s second-place showing, losing out on the gold to first-time winner Genesis.
Meanwhile, the Cayenne — like this recently delivered beauty owned by Rennlist forum member SilverSteel — once again took home the gold in the ‘Midsize Premium SUV’ category, the third consecutive time for the SUV, and the first time for the third-gen model.
What makes Porsche tops for its fans, though? If you’re Wing Commander, it’s being able to bring out the best in your 911 Carrera T with an exhaust upgrade and ECU tune. For jll1011, it’s being able to go from a 911 to a small SUV like the Macan while remaining under the Porsche banner. Open-air fans like 996toomey can welcome the sun in a 718 Boxster S, while track-day all-stars like ZaGT4 can wield a lightweight driving machine like the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport without having to do any upgrading work. And those who opt to buy their machines on the used market, like Swedge and 911-140.6 in their respective 2013 Panamera GTS and Cayenne S models, will find a ride that will offer everything they could ever want for years to come.
We suspect Porsche will continue to track up accolades like the ones garnered from the 2019 J.D. Power APEAL Study for years to come, if not for any other reason than for the appeal the brand can have on anyone. Just ask C4S_fan, who once called Porsche in his teens, pretending to be a doctor interested in 911s. Upon receiving a few promo materials a while later, he was hooked on Stuttgart, and wound up owning his dream car years later, a silver and black Carrera GT. Can any other brand match that inspiration of enthusiasm?
Photos: Porsche and Rennlist Porsche Discussion Forums
