Ford Captures Two Prestigious JD Power APEAL Awards

The automotive industry's most respected customer satisfaction study has spoken, and Ford Motor Company leads the pack with two segment victories at the 2025 JD Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The 2025 Ford Super Duty and Ford Mustang each claimed top honors in their respective categories, demonstrating Ford's commitment to building vehicles that create genuine emotional connections with owners.

What Makes the 2025 JD Power APEAL Awards So Important?

The JD Power APEAL Study, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, represents the gold standard for measuring customer passion and satisfaction with new vehicles. Unlike initial quality studies that focus on defects and problems, the APEAL Study measures the emotional bond between owners and their vehicles after 90 days of real-world ownership.

This year's study surveyed 92,964 owners of 2025 model-year vehicles, evaluating 37 distinct attributes that range from comfort and design to performance and technology integration. The overall industry satisfaction score reached 851 points on a 1,000-point scale—the highest level recorded since the study was redesigned in 2020.

Ford Super Duty Wins Large Heavy-Duty Pickup Segment for Second Consecutive Year

The 2025 Ford F-Series Super Duty continues its dominance in the large heavy-duty pickup truck segment, successfully defending its title from 2024. This back-to-back victory positions the Super Duty ahead of competitors including the GMC Sierra HD and Chevrolet Silverado HD lineup.

Why Super Duty Owners Love Their Trucks

Super Duty owners consistently praise the truck's exceptional capabilities:

• Best-in-class towing capacity with advanced trailer assist technology
• Colossal power options including available Power Stroke diesel engine
• Cutting-edge technology that simplifies complex towing and hauling tasks
• Durable construction designed for the toughest work applications
• Comfortable interiors that make long work days more enjoyable

The Super Duty's APEAL victory follows its segment-leading performance in the 2025 JD Power Initial Quality Study, making it the only heavy-duty pickup to win both quality and satisfaction awards in the same year.

Ford Mustang Claims Sports Car Segment Championship

America's iconic pony car proves it still has the power to stir emotions, with the 2025 Ford Mustang capturing the top spot in the highly competitive sports car segment. The Mustang outperformed the second-place MINI Cooper and other prestigious sports cars to claim this coveted award.

Mustang's Winning Formula

The Mustang's APEAL victory stems from its perfect balance of:

• Thrilling performance across multiple powertrain options
• Advanced technology including SYNC 4 infotainment system
• Iconic design that honors heritage while embracing modernity
• Customization options that let owners create their perfect Mustang
• Track-ready capabilities for weekend warriors and daily drivers alike

This marks another significant achievement for the Mustang, which also topped the sports car category in the 2025 JD Power Initial Quality Study.

America's iconic pony car proves it still has the power to stir emotions, with the 2025 Ford Mustang capturing the top spot in the highly competitive sports car segment. The Mustang outperformed the second-place MINI Cooper and other prestigious sports cars to claim this coveted award.

Mustang's Winning Formula

The Mustang's APEAL victory stems from its perfect balance of:

• Thrilling performance across multiple powertrain options
• Advanced technology including SYNC 4 infotainment system
• Iconic design that honors heritage while embracing modernity
• Customization options that let owners create their perfect Mustang
• Track-ready capabilities for weekend warriors and daily drivers alike

This marks another significant achievement for the Mustang, which also topped the sports car category in the 2025 JD Power Initial Quality Study.

Ford's Overall APEAL Performance: Best Showing Since 2019

Ford's two model-level awards represent the company's strongest APEAL performance since 2019. The automaker's brand score improved to 838 points, a seven-point increase from 2024, nearly matching the mass market segment average of 840 points.

This improvement reflects Ford's comprehensive approach to quality and customer satisfaction across multiple vehicle categories, from work trucks to sports cars.

Ford vs. Competition: Industry Leadership

Ford Motor Company achieved significant recognition with two victories in the prestigious APEAL awards. The complete award distribution shows:

• BMW AG: 5 awards (BMW X6, X1, 4 Series, X4, MINI Countryman)
• Hyundai Motor Group: 4 awards across multiple brands
• Volkswagen AG: 3 awards (ID.Buzz, Porsche Taycan, Porsche 911)
• Ford Motor Company: 2 awards (Super Duty, Mustang)

What APEAL Awards Mean for Ford Customers

When you choose a Ford vehicle, these APEAL awards provide tangible proof of customer satisfaction and emotional connection. The awards represent:

Validated Quality and Satisfaction

Real owners confirm these vehicles deliver exceptional experiences beyond basic transportation needs.

Emotional Connection

APEAL measures the passion and excitement owners feel about their vehicles—attributes that make every drive more enjoyable.

Long-term Ownership Satisfaction

The 90-day ownership period ensures awards reflect real-world experiences, not just initial impressions.

Proven Performance

Winning both Initial Quality and APEAL awards demonstrates comprehensive excellence in design, build quality, and owner satisfaction.

Ford's Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The 2025 APEAL results reflect Ford's ongoing investment in quality improvement and customer satisfaction. Since joining Ford Motor Company three years ago, the global quality team has worked across all divisions to implement improvements both large and small, resulting in measurably better ownership experiences.

This commitment extends to all aspects of vehicle development, from initial design through manufacturing and customer support, ensuring every Ford vehicle meets the highest standards for quality and customer satisfaction.

Experience Award-Winning Ford Vehicles at Mullinax Ford

Ready to discover why Ford owners are more passionate about their vehicles than ever? The award-winning 2025 Ford Super Duty and Ford Mustang are available now at Mullinax Ford.

Visit Mullinax Ford for:

• Comprehensive inventory of award-winning Ford vehicles
• Expert sales consultation to find your perfect vehicle match
• Competitive financing options with flexible terms
• Professional service department to maintain your investment
• Genuine Ford parts and accessories to customize your vehicle

Schedule Your Test Drive Today

Experience the award-winning performance, design, and technology that impressed nearly 93,000 JD Power survey participants. Contact Mullinax Ford to schedule your test drive and discover your next favorite vehicle.

About JD Power APEAL Study: The Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study measures owners' emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle after 90 days of ownership. The study evaluates 37 attributes across 10 categories, providing the automotive industry's most comprehensive measure of customer passion and satisfaction.

About Mullinax Ford: Mullinax Ford is your local authorized Ford dealer, committed to providing exceptional sales, service, and support for all your automotive needs. Our experienced team helps customers find the perfect vehicle to match their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Mullinax Ford today to learn more about our award-winning Ford inventory, financing options, and service capabilities.