J.D. Power: US EV owners rank BMW iX and Hyundai Ioniq 6 as top

The latest J.D. Power 2025 US Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study reveals a marked increase in EV owner satisfaction, with BMW emerging as the undisputed leader in the premium segment.

The BMW iX secured the highest satisfaction score among electric vehicle (EV) owners, followed closely by the BMW i4, underscoring the brand’s dominance from the EU to the US. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 took the crown in the mass-market class.

For the second consecutive year, BMW secured the top two rankings in the premium segment, with the iX scoring 790 points, and the i4 783 points. In third place comes the Rivina R1S (770 points). There are eight contenders in the premium class, which remains unaltered from the previous year.

Hyundai group scores strong

Meanwhile, in the mass-market category, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 claimed the highest satisfaction score (751 points), followed by its sibling, the Kia EV6 (743 points) and Chevrolet Equinox EV (737 points).

The Ioniq 6 made significant strides in the mass-market segment, climbing to the top spot from third place in 2024. It scored 26 points above the segment average, with top marks in battery range, cost of ownership, and vehicle reliability. Furthermore, with six models in the top ten—Kia included—the Hyundai Group is a strong contender in the EV segment.

Interestingly, BMW’s success is mainly attributed to its focus on customer education. “First-time EV buyers are receiving minimal education or training,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of J.D. Power’s EV practice.

“Dealer and manufacturer representatives are the front-line educators, but when it comes to EVs, the necessary education to shorten the learning curve isn’t happening often enough.” BMW’s Genius program, modeled after Apple’s Genius Bar, has played a critical role in enhancing customer understanding and satisfaction.

Satisfaction improves as charging infrastructure expands

It’s worth noting that EV owner satisfaction has rebounded after a decline in 2024, primarily driven by improvements in public charging infrastructure and broader consumer awareness. Among mass-market BEV owners, satisfaction rose by 86 points year-over-year, which the study attributes to the expansion of Tesla’s Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles and continued investment in DC fast-charging stations.

A recent study found a nearly 50% increase in DC fast-charging sessions over the busy Thanksgiving weekend, when many Americans travel to meet with family members. Charging reliability improved as well. J.D. Power’s findings confirm that public charger availability remains a significant factor in EV satisfaction.

No way back

However, perhaps the study’s most striking finding is the commitment of EV owners to staying electric. J.D. Power reports that 94% of BEV owners will likely purchase another EV, with first-time buyers matching this figure.

Only 12% of respondents indicated they would consider switching to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. The Global EV Alliance, which reported extremely high satisfaction levels, also registered this trend internationally.

“With five years of conducting this study and surveying thousands of EV owners, it’s apparent that once consumers enter the EV fold, they’re highly likely to remain committed to the technology,” Gruber said.

Trouble ahead?

Despite positive satisfaction trends, J.D. Power forecasts that EV market share may remain flat in 2025 due to the policy uncertainty installed by the Trump Administration. With charging infrastructure a crucial jigsaw puzzle for buyer satisfaction, Trump’s decision to scrap all charging infrastructure at federal offices and buildings will be a drawback. The announced reduction or elimination of federal EV tax incentives could slow adoption rates.

Now in its fifth year, the J.D. Power EVX Ownership Study evaluates the first year of vehicle ownership using a 1,000-point satisfaction index. The survey assesses ten key factors, including battery range accuracy, public charging availability, cost of ownership, and driving enjoyment.