PHEV Tire Satisfaction Rises, Narrowing the Gap with ICE and BEV Original Equipment Tires, J.D. Power Reports
JD Power 2026 Study Highlights Growing Convergence in Tire Satisfaction
Overall satisfaction with original equipment tires across battery electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles continues to converge, with the gap narrowing significantly to just 14 points on a 1,000-point scale compared to 47 points in 2025, according to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study released by J.D. Power
This represents the smallest satisfaction gap among the three powertrain segments since 2023, reflecting improving product performance and customer experience across the industry
Overall satisfaction scores reached 789 for internal combustion engine vehicles, 775 for battery electric vehicles, and 772 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, with PHEVs recording the most notable improvement, gaining 29 points year over year
Customer Insights and Loyalty Trends
The study delivers comprehensive Voice of the Customer insights, identifying key factors that influence customer satisfaction and brand loyalty in the tire market
Overall tire brand loyalty increased slightly by three percentage points to 54%, indicating moderate improvement in customer retention
However, loyalty drops to 42% when customers replace two or more tires, with tire wear emerging as the primary driver for replacement decisions rather than brand preference
These findings highlight a shift in consumer behavior, where practical considerations such as durability and compatibility outweigh brand attachment
Industry Perspective on Changing Consumer Behavior
According to Jason Norton, director of customer success at J.D. Power, the convergence in satisfaction across BEV, PHEV, and ICE vehicles is reshaping how customers approach tire replacement decisions
He emphasized that fewer than half of vehicle owners remain loyal to their original tire brand, not due to dissatisfaction but because they prioritize functionality, including matching tires, meeting technical specifications, and achieving longer wear life
This trend presents an opportunity for manufacturers to focus on delivering solutions that meet real-world usage requirements and convert low brand loyalty into repeat purchasing behavior
Segment Rankings and Top Performers
In the luxury segment, Michelin ranked highest with a score of 833, followed by Goodyear at 829, with the segment average standing at 806
In the passenger car segment, Michelin secured the top position with a score of 816, while Goodyear and Toyo shared second place with scores of 798
In the performance sport segment, Michelin maintained its leadership for the third consecutive year with a score of 818, followed by Goodyear at 805 and Pirelli at 801
In the truck and utility segment, Pirelli ranked highest with a score of 801, followed by BFGoodrich at 790 and Michelin at 788
Study Methodology and Scope
The U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, established in 1989, evaluates tire owner satisfaction based on four key factors including tire ride, tire wear, traction and handling, and tire appearance
The study covers four vehicle segments comprising luxury, passenger car, performance sport, and truck or utility categories
Findings are based on responses from 38,244 owners of 2023 to 2025 model-year vehicles, with data collected between January and December 2025
About JD Power
J.D. Power is a global leader in data, analytics, and consumer intelligence, providing critical insights that support decision-making across the automotive ecosystem
The company leverages proprietary data, advanced analytics, and industry expertise to help manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, and insurers enhance performance and customer satisfaction
Since its founding in 1968, JD Power has delivered trusted insights into customer interactions with brands and products, enabling businesses to improve quality, loyalty, and long-term value creation
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