Tesla, Toyota, and Honda lead EV Satisfaction rankings
Electric vehicle (EV) sales growth continues to dominate industry headlines, with major automakers achieving significant milestones. Ford has recently set a record for EV sales, while Hyundai, Honda, and Kia also report strong performances in the sector. However, uncertainty looms as the potential repeal of the federal tax credit for EVs, proposed by President Trump, could disrupt the momentum and impact future sales.
Data from YouGov CategoryView, an industry-specific brand and category tracking tool, provides insights into consumer preferences and brand performance in the EV market. One key question addressed by CategoryView is: “Which type of engine are you most likely to purchase for your next automobile?” Among potential car buyers, 55% indicate a preference for gas-powered vehicles, 9% for diesel, 14% for electric, and 21% for hybrids. While the proportion of potential gas car buyers has seen a slight increase over the last 10 months, consideration of purchasing an electric vehicle has remained steady.
Beyond future intentions, CategoryView also tracks brand Satisfaction among current EV owners. Tesla leads the way reporting the highest satisfaction levels (31%). Toyota follows at 26%, with Honda at 23%. Other notable brands include BMW (19%), Mercedes-Benz (16%), Chevrolet (14%), Ford (13%), Kia (12%), Audi (12%), and Hyundai (10%). These figures reflect the growing competition in the EV market as legacy automakers expand their electric lineups to compete with industry pioneers.
In addition to Satisfaction, CategoryView assesses perceived Quality among EV owners. Toyota ranks highest in Quality scores (46%), Mercedes-Benz follows closely at 45%. BMW and Lexus are tied at 39%, while Honda (34%) and Audi (33%) also score well. Meanwhile, Porsche (30%) and Tesla (28%) place further behind on quality, reflecting areas for improvement despite its leadership in Satisfaction. Volvo and Ford round out the top 10 with 25% each.
Methodology: YouGov Automotive CategoryView collects data on brands & consumers across the US every month. The data is based on the interviews of more than 26,000 American adults aged 18+ between March 1st and December 31st, 2024.
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