New analysis by J.D. Power was recently published, and while Porsche, Mini, and BMW led the way as the gap between premium and mainstream brands continued to shrink, Ford also got a round of applause for improving by 11 points overall to score 849 on the APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout) index. This moved Ford from 12th to 9th and considerably above the industry average of 839. The study explores how car buyers feel about their purchases after 90 days, once the new car feeling has worn off, asking 78,514 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles to consider 37 attributes of their vehicles, from comfort getting into the driver’s seat to the feeling of exhilaration when accelerating.
Ford Keeps Improving: First Impressions And Quality
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Ford continues to suffer from large recalls, and while these recalls still place Ford at the top of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s charts, things are improving in every facet. The company has a program to help enthusiasts of the aftermarket build their dream cars with the help of dealer-installed upgrades that won’t void the factory warranty, saving the hassle of fitting them at home or paying a third party to do it and potentially causing damage. Not only does this increase appeal from the moment an enthusiast walks onto the dealer floor, but the fact that Ford is willing to offer modifications that increase horsepower by large percentages speaks to the faith it has in its cars’ quality, and this new APEAL study isn’t the only evidence that Ford is improving its image.
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The 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study ranked Ford as the highest-quality mass-market brand for the first time in 16 years, and given how much effort the Blue Oval has made, it’s well-deserved. Daily engine teardowns and other extreme durability tests have been implemented, and while all these efforts have cost a fortune, these awards show that the money is being well spent.
The Cars Driving Ford’s Appeal
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The Ford Mustang was named the most appealing offering in the Sporty Car category for the second year running, while the Ford Super Duty was deemed the most appealing in the Large Heavy-Duty Pickup category for the third consecutive year. In total, Ford earned four top-three finishes in 10 award categories, including the two wins. With the combination of an Initial Quality Study win and this study’s focus on how well design ages after three months of regular use, it seems that Ford is on the up. With the likes of BMW completely reinventing the car cabin for its 2027 and newer models, it remains to be seen if the German brand will continue to scoop awards, but we’ll have to wait even longer for Ford’s most innovative new products to appear. Customers seem to be happy with the current Ford experience; hopefully, the next-gen vehicles currently in development do the same.
