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Updated 2 hours ago, September 21, 2026

For the first time, luxury automakers have lost their edge over mass-market brands in a closely watched measure of customer satisfaction, with both groups now scoring the same.

Luxury brands lost their long-standing satisfaction edge in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, falling 3 points to 78 out of 100. Mass-market brands slipped 1 point and landed at the same score.

The index has measured how consumers view quality across U.S. industries since 1994. This year’s auto results come as rising prices and tariff uncertainty affect what buyers expect for their money.

Hybrids earned the highest score by powertrain at 80, unchanged from last year. Gas-only vehicles dropped 3 points to 78, while fully electric vehicles fell 1 point to 72.

The results also point to reliability and value as growing priorities for buyers financing vehicles over 6 or 7 years. Hybrids offer fuel savings without the range and charging concerns associated with fully electric vehicles.

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