The annual owner-satisfaction survey from Consumer Reports in 2014 covered 350,000 vehicles from one to three years old. They asked subscribers if they would purchase the same vehicle again knowing what they know now. The respondents were asked to consider styling, comfort, features, cargo space, fuel economy, maintenance and repair costs, overall value, and driving dynamics. Comparing plug-in and hybrid cars with conventional cars, hybrids averaged slightly higher scores than conventional cars (for consistency only cars were considered since no hybrid or plug-in light trucks were included in the survey). Plug-in cars including plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars scored 82%, well above conventional cars which averaged 70% responding that they would buy the same car again. The top-rated vehicle on the list was the all-electric Tesla Model S with an owner-satisfaction score of 98%.
Share of Survey Respondents Who WOULD Buy Their Car Again 1-3 Years After Purchase
Note: The survey did not include any hybrid or plug-in electric light trucks. For consistency, the conventional car classification does not include pickups, vans, or sport-utility vehicles.
Supporting Information
| Vehicle Type | Percent |
|---|---|
| Plug-in Cars (6 models) | 82% |
| Hybrid Cars (16 models) | 73% |
| Other cars (144 models) | 70% |
Source: Consumer Reports, December 2014, website accessed December 3, 2014. | |