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2023 J.D. Power APEAL Study shows new-car customer satisfaction scores slip

J.D. Power survey results have been slightly up but mostly down for automakers this year, literally. In February, the 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study showed an overall decline compared the 2022 a month before the Customer Service Index Study did the same. The trend reversed in June with a better overall score on the 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration Study than in 2022, then declined again the same month on with a lower overall score on the 2023 Initial Quality Study. The declines continue with the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, overall satisfaction among the 84,555 respondents down two points overall compared to 2022, to 845 out of 1,000 points. Because last year's score dropped compared to 2021, this year marks the first consecutive decline in the study's 28-year history. The study tries to "[measure] owners' emotional attachment and level of excitement with new vehicle" after 90 days of ownership by asking new owners to rate 37 attributes in 10 areas around the vehicle, such as the feeling they get when they hit the accelerator. Satisfaction with nine of the attributes is down this year versus last, fuel economy the only segment to show better results with 15 points more satisfaction. Styling and infotainment are big drags on satisfaction. Responses to new car exterior looks tallied 888 points, down from 894 last year, the largest drop in this year's study. On the digital side, less than half of those surveyed this year said they prefer using a manufacturer's built-in infotainment. From 70% of respondents in 2020 preferring to use a manufacturer's in-house software to play audio instead of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, that's 56% in 2023. Going all-in on Google appears to have the best effect. J.D. Power said that vehicles with both Google's Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) and Google Automotive Services (GAS) "score higher in the infotainment category than those with no AAOS whatsoever. AAOS without GAS receives the lowest scores for infotainment of the three categories."  Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, said, "Despite the technology and design innovations that manufacturers put into new vehicles, owners are lukewarm about them. While innovations like charging pads, vehicle apps and advanced audio features should enhance an owner’s experience, this is not the case when problems are experienced.

2022 GMC Sierra AT4X First Drive Review | Luxury off-roader

BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. – What does the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X have in common with the Aston Martin Vulcan, Mercedes-AMG GT, Camaro ZL1 and Ford GT? The answer: Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers. These dampers – or shock absorbers as theyÂ’re also called – are a lot like the adaptive dampers found in many sport and luxury vehicles. In a general sense, they allow drivers to select how soft or firm a ride they want, but the Multimatic dampers are quicker to respond and have additional benefits related to off-roading.  Off-roading is the main reason this new AT4X model has been added to the Sierra lineup this year, along with its elevated levels of luxury. ItÂ’s a big step up from the existing less-capable AT4 trim, which misses out on the DSSV dampers, electronically locking front and rear differentials, and 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires. The timing of this debut coincides with a significant overhaul for the entire 2022 Sierra lineup, including revised styling, a more muscular 2.7-liter turbo-four engine, and most notably, an interior overhaul that replaces this generationÂ’s dull and outdated dashboard with a fresh, modern and more competitive interpretation bolstered by a large 13.4-inch touchscreen powered by the Android Automotive OS. Upping the luxury further is a new, fully-loaded Denali Ultimate trim that includes the Super Cruise automated driving system, though our time in the revised 2022 Sierra was almost entirely in the AT4X. In addition to the off-road equipment and interior improvements listed above, the Sierra AT4X features the 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 as standard equipment, improved underbody skid plates, and a new Terrain drive mode. But thatÂ’s not all, because the AT4X is also differentiated by the X-less AT4 with a cabin thatÂ’s almost as extravagant as that luxurious Denali model, minus the availability of Super Cruise. Ventilated seats with massage functions, premium leather upholstery, wood trim and Bose audio are all standard. Altogether, this big truck could be the perfect way to get to your next glamping adventure. We had the opportunity to check out the AT4XÂ’s capabilities within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a few hours east of San Diego. There, we encountered long stretches of dried riverbeds, narrow chokepoints as well as steep climbs and descents. After dropping pressures in the Goodyear mud-terrain tires to a flaccid 15 psi, we skimmed through the silted riverbeds with ease.

GMC Sierra AT4X reportedly on the way, nameplate could be GMC's ZR2

In 2016, GM filed an application with Mexico's Institute of Industrial Property to reserve the name AT4X, and in 2019, the automaker made the same request to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Seeing that GMC's current AT4 trim replaces the former All Terrain trim used on the last-gen Sierra pickup, there have been suspicions ever since those trademark filings that GM would use the AT4X name to replace GMC's former All Terrain X trim. GM Authority reports that this is precisely what's going to happen, citing "sources familiar with the matter." The outlet even gleaned an equipment group number: 4SG for AT4X, whereas AT4 is equipment group 4SB.  The surmise is that GMC is again developing its versions of Chevrolet's dirt-clobbering pickups that wear the ZR2 name. Spy shooters caught the GMC Canyon earlier this month trotting around on Multimatic's DSSV dampers and a set of 33-inch tires like its Colorado ZR2 sibling. The Canyon already offers an AT4 trim, it's thought this beefier setup will roll into the lineup as an AT4X.  Stepping up to the half-ton league, at the end of last month Chevy released a teaser for the Silverado ZR2, which had been caught in prototype guise (pictured at top) around Detroit on at least two occasions. We've mused that the production Silverado ZR2 could take some hardcore off-roader cues from the factory-upgraded Silverado ZR2 race truck like a lifted stance, long-travel front suspension, four-leaf springs instead of three-leaf, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and a wider track. One of the production prototypes was caught on 33-inch tires, but we wouldn't be shocked to see 35-inchers on the spec sheet. That size would match the race truck and the rubber fitted to the cross-town rivals Ford Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX. A GMC Sierra AT4X would be the plusher, pricier, chrome-ier version of the ZR2. The aforementioned Multimatic shocks could also be on the docket. We'd expect the GMC Sierra AT4X to bow with the heavily updated 2022 pickup, whenever that arrives. Events around the world of late delayed the pickup, its launch now thought to happen late next year or in early 2023. Related Video: