The Land Rover Range Rover has been named highest ranked Large Premium SUV in the J.D. Power Study.

• Jaguar brand ranks 3^rd among nameplates; while Land Rover ranks 5^th in a tie
• Study measures customers' delight with the design, features and layout of their vehicles

The Land Rover Range Rover has been named highest ranked Large Premium SUV in the J.D. Power 2016 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study^SMreleased today.  

This marks the fifth* award for the brand’s flagship model in this category. Jaguar ranks 3^rdamong nameplates with a score of 852, while Land Rover ranks 5^th among nameplates in a tie, with an overall score of 843.

The APEAL study examines the design and performance characteristics across 33 brand nameplates, which make a new vehicle a delight to own and drive, and is based on owner evaluations of 77 vehicle attributes.

"We are thrilled that both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands continue to rank high in the esteemed J.D. Power APEAL study," says Joe Eberhardt, President & CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. "To have our Range Rover flagship vehicle win Large Premium SUV for the fifth* time is especially pleasing and exemplifies our continued commitment to manufacturing desirable cars that meet customers’ needs.”

With an overall score of 852, Jaguar earns a 3^rd place ranking among brand nameplates. The Jaguar F-TYPE ranked 3^rd in the Midsize Premium Sporty Car segment scoring 854 and the Jaguar XF ranked 5^th among vehicles in the Midsize Premium Car segment with a score of 849.

This year, Land Rover ranks 5^th place among brand nameplates with an overall score of 843. In addition to Range Rover receiving the Large Premium SUV award with a score of 872 and scores highest in the exterior, interior, driving dynamics and visibility safety factors, the Range Rover Evoque ranked 2^nd in the Small Premium SUV segment scoring 826.

Developed from the ground up with characteristic levels of Range Rover refinement and all-terrain versatility, the fourth generation Range Rover captures the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which changed the world of motoring when it was launched over 40 years ago. 

New for 2016, the Range Rover HSE receives an enhanced V6 gasoline engine tuned to produce 380hp (a 40hp increase over previous models), while both SE and HSE models are now available with an efficient diesel powertrain option for the first time in North America. Producing 254hp and 440 lb-ft of low-end torque, the Td6 engine provides excellent performance, reduced fuel costs and an exceptional cruising range of up to 658 miles on the highway. Towing capability remains unchanged at 7,716lbs.

The APEAL Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle appeal. The Study, now in its 21st year, measures owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement across 77 attributes, ranging from the power they feel when they step on the gas to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat. These attributes combine into an overall APEAL Index score that is measured on a 1,000-point scale.

The APEAL Study is used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and develop more appealing vehicles and by consumers to help them in their purchase decisions. It complements the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The 2016 U.S. APEAL Study is based on responses gathered from February through May 2016 from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year cars and light trucks who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership.

*The Land Rover Range Rover was named Highest Ranked Large Premium SUV in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016.

DRIVER POWER - Renault debuts ZOE in 5th place in 2015 Survey results.

• ZOE debuts in owner survey in 5^th place overall
• ZOE rated 1^st for running costs of all 200 entrants
• Ease of driving commended with 2^nd place overall finish
• ZOE rated best EV – five places ahead of nearest electric rival

The 100% electric Renault ZOE supermini has been highly commended by owners in the Auto Express Driver Power 2015 survey out today finishing an impressive fifth overall out of 200 vehicles and rated as the best electric vehicle to own.

Finishing five places above its nearest all-electric competitor, with a score of 92.87 per cent, the ZOE was also rated the best vehicle in this year’s survey for low running costs as well as second overall for ease of driving.  

ZOE, in its debut survey year, was ranked second, out of 43 vehicles, in the competitive supermini category.

The ZOE also scored well for In-car technology and performance with owners rating the car ninth and fifteenth respectively out of the 200 entrants.

Commenting on the ZOE’s performance in the survey, Ben Fletcher, Renault UK Electric Vehicle Product Manager, said: “The Renault ZOE offers the recognized benefits of all-electric vehicles in an ultra-stylish and highly-affordable package. It’s no wonder that owners are so delighted with their cars.”

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-chief said: “Breaking into the Driver Power top five is a significant achievement for the Renault ZOE. Owners of electric cars clearly love their vehicles – and the ZOE, in particular, has a winning formula of low running costs and decent performance, plus it's very easy to drive, too.”

The Auto Express Driver Power survey had its largest response ever in 2015 with 61,113 car owners, up 20 per cent on 2014, completing the comprehensive survey about their vehicle ownership experience.

The Renault ZOE has won numerous awards since going on sale in 2013 including being named What Car? Magazine’s ‘Best Electric Car for under £20,000’ for the last two consecutive years.

ZOE is one of three all-electric Renault models including the innovative Twizy urban vehicle and the Kangoo Z.E. Van.

ZOE can be purchased in two ways, either outright, from £18,443, or from £13,443 with a battery lease from £25 per month (including the Government Plug-In Car Grant) and can charge its batteries in as little as 30 minutes.

A new longer-range version of ZOE, with a new Renault-developed motor, was announced at this year’s Geneva Motor Show which will bring a best-in-class official range of 149 miles when it joins the ZOE line-up in May.

Sales in the UK of Renault’s electric models were up 90 per cent in 2014 to 1,286 vehicles and continued this strong growth in the first three months of 2015 with sales up 148 per cent to 401 vehicles.