Dodge, Ram underscore brand appeal with top J.D. Power placings

The sense of adventure as you place your hands on the wheel.

The sound of the engine as it climbs through the gears.

The perfect space to carry the load.

These are just some of the things that form the strong connection drivers make with their vehicles, and that also make FCA US brands so popular.

To underscore the point, Dodge and Ram have topped the ranking of mass-market badges in J.D. Power’s Automotive Performance, Layout and Execution (APEAL) study for the second straight year.

APEAL, which measures an owner’s emotional attachment to their vehicle, is led by Dodge with 872 points, closely followed by Ram at 871 on a 1,000-point scale.

A reversal of last year’s top-two order, it places both brands well above the industry average of 838.

The results also mark an historic double for Dodge as it becomes the first domestic nameplate to achieve first place in both J.D. Power’s APEAL assessment and Initial Quality Study (IQS) within the same year.

Besides their overall brand performance, there are individual wins for Dodge and Ram vehicles. The Dodge Challenger captures top position in the competitive Midsize Sporty Car category, while the Ram 1500 truck earns first place in the Large Light-duty Pickup segment.

Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango and Chrysler Pacifica all get podium finishes in the Large Car, Upper Midsize SUV and Minivan categories, respectively.

The J.D. Power APEAL study surveys owners of 2020-model year vehicles after 90 days of ownership. IQS, for which Dodge received a first-place tie earlier this year, reports problems per 100 vehicles in a vehicle’s first three months of service.

Make your connection

To get behind the wheel of one of the latest Dodge, Ram or Chrysler vehicles, and to check out the rest of the appealing FCA US lineup, view Chrysler Capital’s available offers and locate your nearest dealer.