Driver Safety Aids Boost New-Vehicle Appeal

New vehicles equipped with such driver aids as blind-spot warnings and automatic braking scored sharply higher than models that lack such features in this year’s J.D. Power APEAL study.

The 21-year-old Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout poll assesses how new owners react emotionally to 77 attributes ranging from acceleration to the impression they get from the interior. APEAL ratings don't necessarily align with Power's quality studies. This year’s APEAL industry average is 801 out of a possible 1,000 points, up 3 from 2015.

Cars with blind-spot monitors scored an average 34 points more than vehicles without such systems, Power reports. Likewise, vehicles with low-speed collision avoidance technology scored 38 points higher. The study notes that buyer enthusiasm for these pre-autonomous features suggests drivers are warming to vehicles with self-driving capabilities.

The top 11 on the study's list this year are luxury brands, again led by Porsche (877 points). Other leading marques are BMW (859), Jaguar (852), Mercedes-Benz (852), Land Rover (843), Lexus (843), Lincoln (843), Audi (842), Volvo (839), Cadillac (836) and Infiniti (833).

The highest-ranking non-luxury brands are Volkswagen (809), Mini (808), Kia (807), Acura (806) and Ford (803).

The lowest-ranked makes for 2015 are Smart (745), Fiat (755), Jeep (756), Mitsubishi (770) and Chrysler (774).