Lexus RC vs. BMW 4-Series, 3-Series Owners- Who loves their rides more?

According to this year’s J.D. Power & Associates APEAL study, U.S. owners of the Lexus RC 200t, RC 350 and RC F sports coupe love their cars more than owners of the BMW 4-Series Coupe and BMW 3-series (sports sedans). In the study, the Lexus RC topped both BMWs in the Compact Premium Car Segment.

Now in its 21st year, the J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study measures owners’ satisfaction with the vehicles they bought. Unlike other quality studies that focus only on what went wrong, the APEAL study asks very detailed questions of owners who have had their new car for 90 days. The study looks closely into 90 vehicle attributes. The total score is base don a perfect 1000 and covers design, content, layout, and performance of the vehicle.
- Related: Study finds Lexus about twice as dependable as BMW
Automakers use the study to determine their cars strengths and weaknesses in a certain segment, and the study also helps automakers refine their vehicle’s during model year refreshes by giving them insight into what aspects of the vehicle owners like or dislike.
- Related: Why Do Buyers Choose Lexus RC F or IS 350 Instead of BMW M4 or 335i?
In addition to the RC topping the BMW 4-Series and 3-Series in the Compact Premium Segment, Lexus’s GS model was second in the Midsize Premium segment behind the Audi A6. BMW did not finish in the top three in that segment. BMW’s 2-Series was the top vehicle in the Small Premium Car class ahead of the Mercedes CLA and Audi A3.

This is not the first customer survey that found Lexus owners are more satisfied with their vehicles than BMW's. An Autopacifica survey in 2015 found that owners of the Lexus CT were happier with their purchase than owners of BMW 3-Series sedans.

See the J.D. Power 2016 APEAL Study here.