Tesla Model S beats out Porsche in owner-satisfaction

Tesla Motors Inc. drivers were more likely than Porsche owners -- or anyone else -- to say they'd buy their cars again in this year's edition of the closely- watched Consumer Reports buyer survey.

Tesla's Model S luxury electric sedan topped the U.S. survey a second year in a row, scoring 98 out of a possible 100. The No. 2 brand, Porsche, scored an average of 87 out of 100 across its model lines. Palo Alto, California-based Tesla, co- founded and led by billionaire Elon Musk, said last month that it expects to sell 50,000 Model S units next year.

"Not only is the Tesla roomy, comfortable, and a lot of fun to drive, but it also has low operating costs," Consumer Reports said.

The survey may bolster the 11-year-old carmaker's image as the leader in the business of making high-end electric cars. It comes about a year after U.S. regulators started a four-month investigation into fires that took place after Tesla's cars struck road debris.

The investigation ended without a formal recall, giving Musk more room to expand sales of the Model S and develop the long-awaited Model X SUV, whose delivery Tesla postponed for a second time last month. It's now expected in the third quarter of 2015.

Sports Cars

The next three most satisfying vehicles in the Consumer Reports Survey, after the Model S, were sports cars: General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, with a 95 percent satisfaction rating, and Volkswagen AG's Porsche Cayman and Boxster, which tied for third with a 91 percent of buyers saying they'd purchase them again.

The survey covered 350,000 vehicles from one to three years old and took into account "attributes such as styling, comfort, features, cargo space, fuel economy, maintenance and repair costs, overall value, and driving dynamics," Consumer Reports said.

Hybrid, electric and diesel-powered cars outscored gas engines throughout the survey, with the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius leading the compact-car category and Honda Motor Co.'s Accord Hybrid and Ford Motor Co.'s Fusion Energi atop the list of mid-sized sedans.