J.D. Power has released its 2019 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which found that consumers who invest in new cars and trucks are increasingly satisfied with how these vehicles perform in terms of safety, style and enjoyment. "Satisfaction with new technology is improving," Dave Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of Global Automotive said in a press release. "Owners have higher satisfaction if their vehicle is equipped with safety features such as blind spot monitor, collision avoidance and lane departure warning. This should serve as a positive sign for manufacturers, as these features are some of the early building blocks for fully automated vehicles." To complete the study, J.D. surveyed 68,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2019 model-year vehicles between February and May 2019. "Vehicle owners score their vehicle higher the more technology it has, especially if the technology is useful and intuitive," Sargent added. "Safety features fit that description — blind spot warning, lane departure warning [and] collision avoidance warning are all valued by consumers, and those with them score their vehicle higher." Consumers aren't the only ones who are pleased with how automakers are embracing technology to promote safer driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has gotten behind the move to include various forms of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) in today's automobiles. The NHTSA is now actively involved in educating the public about the types of safety technologies they should be looking for when shopping for new vehicles, and exactly how these systems can keep more drivers and pedestrians safe. "Research shows that the vast number of vehicle crashes are tied to human error," according to the NHTSA. "New driver assistance technologies hold the potential to reduce the number of crashes and save thousands of lives a year." To that end, the NHTSA says that driving distractions accounted for 3,166 fatalities in 2017. That year, 9717 died because of speeding-related crashes, and 10,874 people died in 2017 due to alcohol-impaired drivers. ADAS systems hold the potential to drastically reduce these deaths. It follows that the international market for advanced driver assistance systems is forecast to grow to more than $67 billion by 2025, according to Reuters. According to J.D. Power, Ford Motor Co. ranked highest overall for customer satisfaction with its new vehicles. But nearly all automakers are embracing technology to make road travel safer and more enjoyable.

Vehicles with the most APEAL

Here are the automakers and vehicle models specifically lauded in 2019 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study:

• Ford Motor Co.: Ford Expedition; Ford F-150; Ford Ranger; Ford Super Duty; and Lincoln Navigator
• BMW AG: BMW 2 Series; BMW X4; MINI Cooper; and MINI Countryman
• General Motors Company: Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Terrain
• Honda Motor Company: Honda Accord and Honda Odyssey
• Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.: Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima
• Toyota Motor Corporation: Toyota Camry and Toyota Yaris
• Volkswagen AG: Audi A7 and Porsche Cayenne
• Daimler AG: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: Dodge Challenger
• Hyundai Motor Group: Kia Forte

However consumers may be unfamiliar with the specific ADAS technologies available in today's new cars and trucks. The slideshow above features details from the NHTSA regarding some of the safety-related bells and whistles available to today's automobile consumers. But the agency also puts forth this clear-headed reminder: "When it comes to being safe behind the wheel there's no substitute for buckling up, avoiding distractions, and never drinking and driving."

Insurance industry challenges

The auto insurance market may still have a way to go as far as adjusting rates and policies to reflect the positive impact of vehicle technology. According to Kyle Schmitt, managing director of Global Insurance Practice at J.D. Power: "To date, auto technology that is designed to increase safety, collision avoidance, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise, etc. have had little impact on the auto insurance market. The insurance companies can't identify these features with accuracy and hence can't create a 'comparative' experience set to assess their relative safety. Until more and better information is available, these technology features aren't yet translating into the auto insurance market." See also:

• Top automakers committed to advanced technology
• 10 brands ranked highest in overall vehicle dependability
• ADAS recalibration is driving windshield repair back into the shop