Every year, big names in the world of automotive journalism tirelessly test, review, and compile lists of the best new vehicles out on the market. Whether looking for a family-friendly vehicle, a work-truck, or an SUV that can do it all, consumers can find the best of the best to help them make the right purchase when shopping for a new car. That’s why organizations like J.D. Power conducts various studies throughout the year. A trusted name in the industry, many consumers look towards the results of every test, and the latest is J.D. Power 2022 Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study with the Kia Niro EV and many other automakers ranking high.

“We know from our research that many consumers have concerns during the purchase consideration process with aspects like battery range and vehicle charging. However, once someone has purchased a BEV, they’re pretty much hooked. What will keep first-time owners coming back to buy another BEV is the compelling experience with the safety and technology features, lower service and maintenance costs, and pure driving enjoyment. The new BEVs from traditional brands are helping to attract even more first-time buyers.” - Brent Gruber, senior director of global automotive at J.D. Power

Like all of their studies, the 2022 EVX was conducted by sending out surveys to new owners of certain vehicles, this time being electric vehicles (EVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The study was fielded through October-November 2021, so don’t expect any names to pop up that were late to the game or still overseas – J.D. Power focuses on brands with models readily available in America. Each survey sent out was designed to measures an owner’s satisfaction with their EV or BEV across ten factors - accuracy of stated battery range; availability of public charging stations; battery range; cost of ownership; driving enjoyment; ease of charging at home; interior and exterior styling (new in 2022); safety and technology features (new); service experience (new); and vehicle quality and reliability. With survey responses from 8,122 owners of 2016-2022 model-year EVs, BEVs, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the top picks can’t be wrong.

Each vehicle surveyed gets an overall EVX ownership score on a 1000-point scale. The higher the number, the more owners seem to be satisfied with their vehicle. Results are even more interesting, showing that out of all the EV and BEV owners with an overall ownership satisfaction score that exceeds 900 points, 96-percent of them would purchase another EV or BEV in the future, and more than half of those same owners would be returning to the brand they purchased from. That’s good news for South Korean automaker Kia Corp, with the Kia Niro EV ranking the highest in the mass market vehicles section. Tesla dominated the luxury vehicle segment picks.

Following the Kia Niro EV (with a total of 744 points), we have the Nissan LEAF. It’s seen better days, but a total score of 708 isn’t bad. Also showing up as high-ranking vehicles for the 2022 J.D. Power EVX is the Hyundai Kona EV and Volskwagen ID.4, both with a total score of 692. Last on the list of high-ranking vehicles is the mighty Chevrolet Bolt, with a total score of 687. Wow, that’s surprising – the Chevy Bolt is event better than the Tesla 3 - the highest ranking of premium vehicles - but that’s just it. The Bolt is no premium vehicle, yet.

Nice to see EVs and BEVs are finally getting some recognition. With so many automakers shifting their resources towards EV development, high scores from big names like J.D. Power definitely help. You can find these award-winning and high-ranking EVs and BEVs when you shop for a new car online with NowCar.

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