The AutoGuide Show

Are Luxury Car Brands Losing Their Edge? – Dissecting the JD Power APEAL Study: Ep. 130

The AutoGuide Show

Show Notes

Despite ongoing vehicle affordability concerns, today’s new car buyers are happier with their purchases than ever before. Even more surprising? The satisfaction gap between mainstream vehicles and luxury brands is rapidly evaporating.In this episode of The AutoGuide Show, host Colum Wood (AutoGuide's VP of Content) sits down with Frank Hanley, Senior Director of Automotive Benchmarking at J.D. Power, to break down the key findings from the 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from The AutoGuide Show

Oct 19, 2026

Think driving an electric vehicle is saving you thousands? Think again. A new study from AAA reveals that average new vehicle ownership costs have hit a staggering $12,863 per year ($1,071/month) and the most shocking takeaway isn't the total cost, but how EVs actually fare compared to hybrids and gas-powered cars.In this episode, we sit down with Greg Bannon, Director of Automotive Engineering and Research at AAA, to break down the real numbers behind car ownership. We discuss why gas savings alone won't offset electric vehicle ownership costs, how depreciation acts as the "Achilles' heel" of EVs, and why hybrids are currently the smartest financial choice for new car buyers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 5, 2026

Are you wasting hundreds of dollars a year on premium gas? In this episode, we sit down with Keith Barry from Consumer Reports to break down their latest testing on fuel octane ratings, luxury vehicles, and engine performance.

Sep 21, 2026

Are you looking to buy a car that you can drive until the wheels fall off? In this episode of The AutoGuide Show, host Colum Wood is joined by Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst at iSeeCars.com, to dive into their massive annual study analyzing over 395 million vehicles to determine which cars are most likely to reach the quarter-million-mile mark.We break down the top-ranking brands, the longest-lasting individual models, trucks, SUVs, sedans, and the surprising truth about how hybrids and EVs hold up over time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 14, 2026

If you think finding a affordable new car is hard, wait until you check the used market!

Aug 24, 2026

Why Are So Many Car Buyers "Underwater" on Loans? (And Why Don't They Care?)

See all episodes →