- Five hybrid vehicles make the top 10 list of cars with the most satisfied owners, led by Toyota
- Tesla Model S leads competitors for owner satisfaction by a wide margin
- Tesla among top brands for owner satisfaction
iSeeCars analyzed over 900,000 model year 2012-2013 cars sold in 2020 to see which vehicles have the most satisfied owners, as measured by how many of these cars are retained by their original owners. iSeeCars selected the 2012-2013 model years because hybrid vehicles had become widely available across multiple vehicle segments in that timeframe. It was also the start of production for two of the most popular electric cars, the Tesla Model S and the Nissan LEAF.
In this study, five of the top 10 vehicles with the most satisfied owners are hybrid vehicles. “Hybrid vehicles attract practical and eco-minded drivers, who are willing to spend extra money upfront to invest in vehicles that are better for the environment,” said Brauer. “Hybrid versions of Toyota’s popular gasoline cars have begun outselling the Prius, suggesting consumers now prefer the hybrid versions of their previously-owned gasoline vehicles.”
Top 10 Cars for Owner Satisfaction - iSeeCars Study | |||
Rank | Vehicle | % Cars Kept by Original Owners | Compared to Average |
1 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 38.0% | 2.3x |
2 | Toyota Avalon Hybrid | 36.5% | 2.2x |
3 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | 34.6% | 2.1x |
4 | Volkswagen Passat | 33.8% | 2x |
5 | Toyota Land Cruiser | 32.7% | 2x |
6 | Volkswagen Golf | 31.3% | 1.9x |
7 | Subaru Outback | 31.2% | 1.9x |
8 | Lexus ES 300h | 31.1% | 1.9x |
9 | Honda CR-V | 30.9% | 1.8x |
10 | Toyota Prius | 30.5% | 1.8x |
Average for All Vehicles | 16.8% | - |
A non-hybrid Toyota model also makes the list, the fifth-ranked Land Cruiser. “The iconic and indestructible Land Cruiser hasn’t had a major redesign since the 2008 model year, but owners are clearly happy with, and loyal to, their vehicles,” said Brauer.
Two Volkswagens make the list: the fourth-ranked Passat and the sixth-ranked Golf. “The midsize Volkswagen Passat was completely redesigned for the 2012 model year and is a popular family-friendly sedan,” said Brauer. “The Volkswagen Golf hatchback has enjoyed enduring popularity thanks to its versatility as a practical yet fun-to-drive vehicle.”
Ranked seventh is the Subaru Outback. “With standard all-wheel-drive, the Subaru Outback blends the practicality of a station wagon with the all-weather confidence and functionality of an SUV,” said Brauer. “Additionally, Subaru has been steadily growing in popularity and attracts specific consumers with a passion for the brand’s value and capabilities.”
Rounding out the list is the ninth-ranked Honda CR-V. “The Honda CR-V is a safe and reliable small SUV with above-average fuel economy and robust cargo space for its class,” said Brauer. “Its ownership costs are also thousands below average for the small SUV class.”
Tesla Model S Owner Loyalty
iSeeCars found that the Tesla Model S vehicles from the model years examined were far more likely to be kept by the original owner when compared to similar luxury vehicles or the Nissan LEAF EV. “The 2012-2013 model years marked when the Tesla Model S was first introduced, so these owners were early adopters who took a chance on Tesla before the quality of the cars was established,” said Brauer.Tesla Model S Owner Satisfaction Compared to Similar Vehicles - iSeeCars Study | |||
Rank | Vehicle | % Cars Kept by Original Owners | Compared to Average |
1 | Tesla Model S | 23.6% | 1.4x |
Average for All Vehicles | 16.8% | - | |
2 | Audi A7 | 14.9% | 0.9x |
3 | Audi A8 L | 10.5% | 0.6x |
4 | Porsche Panamera | 10.0% | 0.6x |
5 | Maserati Quattroporte | 7.8% | 0.5x |
6 | Nissan LEAF | 7.3% | 0.4x |
When comparing the two electric vehicles on the list, Tesla Model S owners are more than three times as likely to hold onto their vehicle when compared to the Nissan LEAF. “The Nissan LEAF had a range of 73 miles when it was first introduced, while the Tesla Model S had a starting range of 136 miles, extending to 265 miles when its largest battery pack was introduced just over a year later,” said Brauer. “Early adopters of the Nissan LEAF likely swapped their vehicles for a later generation LEAF or a competitor with longer range.”
Ranking of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
iSeeCars combined hybrid and electric vehicles to see how alternative fuel vehicles compared to the overall average of vehicles kept by their original owners.Ranking of Alternative Fuel Vehicles for Owner Satisfaction - iSeeCars Study | |||
Rank | Hybrid Vehicle | % Original Owner | Compared to Average |
1 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 38.0% | 2.3x |
2 | Toyota Avalon Hybrid | 36.5% | 2.2x |
3 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | 34.6% | 2.1x |
4 | Lexus ES 300h | 31.1% | 1.9x |
5 | Toyota Prius | 30.5% | 1.8x |
6 | Lexus RX 450h | 29.8% | 1.8x |
7 | Lincoln MKZ Hybrid | 24.3% | 1.4x |
8 | Tesla Model S | 23.6% | 1.4x |
9 | Ford Fusion Hybrid | 23.3% | 1.4x |
10 | Ford Fusion Energi | 20.4% | 1.2x |
Overall Average | 16.8% | - | |
11 | Porsche Cayenne Hybrid | 16.1% | 1x |
12 | Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 16.0% | 1x |
13 | Kia Optima Hybrid | 12.6% | 0.8x |
14 | Nissan LEAF | 7.3% | 0.4x |
Top 10 SUVs for Owner Satisfaction
When examining the SUV segment, 17.5 percent of SUVs from the 2012-2013 model years are kept by their original owner.Top 10 SUVs for Owner Satisfaction - iSeeCars Study | |||
Rank | SUV | % Cars Kept by Original Owners | Compared to SUV Average |
1 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 38.0% | 2.2x |
2 | Toyota Land Cruiser | 32.7% | 1.9x |
3 | Subaru Outback | 31.2% | 1.8x |
4 | Honda CR-V | 30.9% | 1.8x |
5 | Lexus RX 450h | 29.8% | 1.7x |
6 | Subaru Forester | 29.6% | 1.7x |
7 | Toyota Highlander | 29.1% | 1.7x |
8 | Acura RDX | 27.9% | 1.6x |
9 | Mazda CX-5 | 27.2% | 1.6x |
10 | Toyota Sequoia | 26.3% | 1.5x |
SUV Average | 17.5% | - |
Two additional Toyotas join the list, including the seventh-ranked Highlander and the tenth-ranked Sequoia. “Both the Toyota Highlander and the Toyota Sequoia have stellar reliability ratings and below-average ownership costs,” said Brauer.
Two compact SUVs round out the list: the sixth-ranked Subaru Forester and the ninth-ranked Mazda CX-5. “The Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 provide affordability, confident driving dynamics and excellent passenger safety,” said Brauer.
Ranking of Pickup Trucks for Owner Satisfaction
When examining the pickup truck segment, 16.4 percent of pickup trucks from the 2012-2013 model year are kept by their original owner. Six pickup trucks fare above this average.Ranking of Pickup Trucks for Owner Satisfaction - iSeeCars Study | |||
Rank | Pickup | % Cars Kept by Original Owners | Compared to Average |
1 | Honda Ridgeline | 26.9% | 1.6x |
2 | Toyota Tacoma | 22.5% | 1.4x |
3 | Toyota Tundra | 21.4% | 1.3x |
4 | Nissan Frontier | 18.8% | 1.1x |
5 | Ford F-150 | 16.7% | 1x |
6 | Chevrolet Colorado | 16.4% | 1x |
Average for All Trucks | 16.4% | - | |
7 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 15.5% | 0.9x |
8 | GMC Sierra 1500 | 14.7% | 0.9x |
9 | Nissan Titan | 13.6% | 0.8x |
10 | Ram Pickup 1500 | 12.7% | 0.8x |
11 | GMC Canyon | 12.1% | 0.7x |
Two Toyota trucks earn the next two spots: the second-ranked Tacoma and the third-ranked Tundra. “Toyota trucks are known for their reliability and dependability, giving owners the confidence to hold onto them as tough workhorses,” said Brauer.
Two additional compact pickups fare above average: the fourth-ranked Nissan Frontier and the sixth-ranked Chevrolet Colorado. “Both of these trucks are among the most affordable in their class, attracting practical-minded owners looking to keep them for a long time,” said Brauer.
Rounding out the list of trucks is the fifth-ranked Ford F-150. “The Ford F-150 has been the nation’s best-selling vehicle for 40 years, a testament to how owners perceive the vehicle and how loyal they are to its durable nature,” said Brauer.
Owner Satisfaction by Brand
iSeeCars analyzed owner satisfaction on the brand level and found that 10 brands had higher owners satisfaction than average.Top 10 Brands for Owner Satisfaction - iSeeCars Study | |||
Rank | Brand | % Cars Kept by Original Owners | Compared to Average |
1 | Volkswagen | 26.2% | 1.6x |
2 | Subaru | 25.9% | 1.5x |
3 | Honda | 24.6% | 1.5x |
4 | Toyota | 23.7% | 1.4x |
5 | Tesla | 23.6% | 1.4x |
6 | Acura | 23.1% | 1.4x |
7 | Lexus | 21.3% | 1.3x |
8 | Mazda | 20.5% | 1.2x |
9 | Volvo | 19.5% | 1.2x |
10 | Buick | 17.5% | 1x |
Overall Average | 16.8% | - |
The next three brands are known for their safety and reliability: second-ranked Subaru, third-ranked Honda, and fourth-ranked Toyota. “These brands attract practical consumers who want durable, high-quality vehicles meant to last,” said Brauer.
Tesla ranks fifth with 23.6 percent of its owners holding onto their vehicles for eight years. “Tesla attracts fervent consumers as evidenced by the waitlists for its new models,” said Brauer. “Tesla’s sustained high demand is a testament to the innovative nature of its vehicles and its ability to excite customers.”
Gauging owner satisfaction can help in-market consumers decide what to buy. “The cars that are kept for eight years or more tend to be hybrids or reliable vehicles with below-average ownership costs,” said Brauer. “Consumers considering their first hybrid purchase should gain confidence in the above-average loyalty and owner satisfaction these models have inspired in previous hybrid buyers.”
Methodology
iSeeCars.com analyzed over 900,000 used cars sold between January and early September 2020 from the 2012-2013 model years. The percentage of each vehicle sold by the original owner was modeled and used as an indicator of owner satisfaction.
About iSeeCars