As Ford Authority previously reported, the Ford Bronco Sport has been recognized as one of the top choices in the mass market compact SUV segment when it comes to one specific feature – its seats – via the annual J.D. Power U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study. The crossover ranked among the top three in that regard in 2022, and in the just-released 2025 version of that same study, wound up in first place, too. However, it wasn’t the only Blue Oval model to make the cut in this new study, as it was joined by the Ford Escape this time around.
The Ford Escape actually ranked second in the mass market compact SUV segment of the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study with a score of 6.6 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), tying it with the Kia Sportage and placing both behind the Bronco Sport’s score of 5.7 PP100. The seats present in the Ford Escape are manufactured by Magna Seating, and received recognition for presenting owners with fewer issues than most of its peers.
The 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study is based on the responses of 92,694 vehicle purchasers and lessees of new 2025 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. Seat quality was measured by the number of problems and level of satisfaction experienced per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
Interestingly, overall automotive seat quality actually worsened by 0.3 PP100 year-over-year – the first such increase in nine years. The most frequently cited problems revolved around seat range adjustments, headrest comfort, and seat material scuff/soil.
“Seat and powertrain are the two categories that most influence vehicle appeal and satisfaction,” said Lisa Boor, senior manager of auto benchmarking and mobility development at J.D. Power. “When vehicle owners experience issues with their seats, these problems have the second-highest effect on their APEAL rating among all measured vehicle areas. Increasing concerns regarding seat controls, particularly those that are complex or difficult to operate, such as memory and massage functions, are being observed in both premium and mass market segments.”
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