New data from J.D. Power’s 2025 New Energy Vehicle Product Quality Index reveals significant disparities in quality among leading electric vehicle (EV) brands. Aito, backed by Huawei, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla emerged as the top performers, while BYD, a dominant force in the Chinese EV market, achieved only average results. The study surveyed over 5,700 owners of vehicles between 2 and 12 months old across 57 brands.
Top Performers: Aito Leads the Pack
Huawei’s Aito M9 SUV achieved the highest overall quality score, outperforming rivals in both SUV and MPV categories. The Aito M9, alongside the M8 and M7 models, dominated the mid-size and larger SUV segment. Tesla also scored highly, with its Model Y ranking among the best in the mid-size and smaller SUV market.
Mid-Range and Sedan Competition
The mid-size and smaller SUV market showcased competitive results, with the Avatr 07, BYD Seal 05 EV, and Tesla Model Y ranking within the top five. In the sedan category, Tesla’s Model 3 secured first place, followed by Nio’s Firefly and BMW’s i3. The Xiaomi SU7 also stood out in the mid-size and larger sedan market, demonstrating its early success.
MPV Quality: Voyah Takes the Lead
The MPV segment saw Voyah’s Dream model take the lead with the lowest quality risk index, followed by BYD’s Denza D9 and Great Wall Motor Wey Gaoshan. This indicates that while BYD’s overall quality falls below average, some of its sub-brands are still competitive.
BYD’s Below-Average Performance: Why It Matters
The fact that BYD, a major EV producer, scored below average in the J.D. Power rankings raises questions about its quality control relative to its production volume. This discrepancy could affect consumer confidence as BYD expands its global presence. The rise of newer brands like Aito, backed by tech giants, suggests that traditional automotive quality metrics are shifting in the EV era.
The study’s findings underscore that EV buyers prioritize reliability and performance alongside range and price. Brands that fail to deliver on quality risk losing market share as the NEV sector matures.
