Satisfaction among owners of gasoline vehicles in China improved notably in 2026, driven by stronger vehicle performance, better user experience and growing demand for intelligent features, according to the latest J.D. Power China Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study.
Overall owner satisfaction with internal combustion engine vehicles rose 11 points year-on-year to 762 points on a 1,000-point scale, marking a significant improvement despite intensifying competition from new energy vehicles.
The 2026 study is based on responses from 14,184 owners who purchased ICE vehicles between July 2025 and February 2026.
The survey covered 131 models and 37 brands across 81 major Chinese cities and was conducted between January and April 2026.
Vehicle performance emerged as the biggest contributor to the increase, with satisfaction in the category rising 21 points from 2025.
