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Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Top J.D. Power EV Satisfaction Rankings

The Tesla Model 3 placed first with a score of 804 out of 1,000, followed closely by the Tesla Model Y at 797.

EV.com Staff

February 19, 2026 | Updated 06:32, February 19, 2026

2 min read

Tesla ranked first and second in the 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Study from J.D. Power, with the Tesla Model 3 taking the top spot. The Model 3 scored 804 out of 1,000 points, narrowly ahead of the Tesla Model Y at 797. The BMW i4 placed third.

Model 3 leads as EV satisfaction hits record high

The study measures owner satisfaction across ten areas, including driving performance, range, charging access, cost of ownership, design, technology, service experience, and reliability. A vehicle can earn up to 1,000 points.

The Model 3’s 804 score placed it at the top overall. The Model Y followed closely behind at 797. JD Power said overall EV satisfaction reached its highest level since the study began, with the industry average climbing to 786 points. That is a 30-point increase compared with 2025, according to CarUp.

Plug-in hybrids improved as well, rising to 658 points from 632 last year. Even so, they continue to trail battery-electric vehicles by a wide margin.

NEWS: Tesla leads JD Power's 2026 EV satisfaction study.

The @Tesla Model 3 earned the highest overall satisfaction score in the study with a score of 804. The Model Y (797) ranks second.

Findings:
• EVs have higher satisfaction ratings than PHEVs
• Premium EVs saw notable… pic.twitter.com/mhYG2nc6Ok
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 19, 2026

Charging improvements drive gains across the industry

Public charging availability saw the largest improvement in the 2026 study. Among premium EVs, satisfaction with public charging rose to 652 points, up 101 points year over year. In the mass-market segment, charging satisfaction increased to 511 points, a 115-point gain.

JD Power linked much of the improvement to charging network expansion during 2025. Most new EVs now have access to Tesla’s fast-charging network, giving non-Tesla drivers more reliable highway coverage.

Premium EVs also posted measurable quality gains, including fewer complaints about interior rattles and build issues.

Competition in the EV market has intensified in recent years. Despite that, Tesla continues to lead in owner satisfaction, with the Model 3 once again setting the benchmark.

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