Consumers are more satisfied with their original equipment tires than a year ago, and drivers of electric vehicles reported much higher satisfaction scores in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study.
The annual study included responses from 32,151 owners of 2021 and 2022 model-year vehicles. Overall satisfaction with OE tires increased to 799 on a 1,000-point scale. J.D. Power says says the scores for tires on gas-powered vehicles were the primary cause of the increase, but tire satisfaction on EVs increased 62 points compared to the 2022 study.
“The industry's focus on EV tire performance shows, especially in terms of lack of vibration and quietness on the road, as compared to non-EVs,” says Ashley Edgar, senior director of benchmarking and alternative mobility at J.D. Power. “As electric vehicle market share increases, it is imperative for both the EV manufacturers and tire manufacturers to collaborate to fine-tune these areas as they play such a large role in EV performance and tire satisfaction.”
Vehicle owners rate their satisfaction in four key areas, in order of importance: tire ride; tire wear; tire traction/handling; and tire appearance.
The study spans four vehicle segments, but in the 2023 study J.D. Power says there was an insufficient number of tire brands ranked in the performance sport segment. The other segments are luxury, passenger car and truck/utility.
In the luxury category, the average ranking for brands was 813 points. Michelin earned the top score with 833 points.
In the passenger car category, the segment average was 801 points. Five brands earned scores above that mark, and Pirelli had the top score with 828 points.
In the truck/utility category, the average ranking was 788. Four brands beat that score, with Michelin earning the top score of 809 points.
Responses from vehicle owners were fielded from August through December 2022.
