It's no secret that many Tesla Model S owners are very enthusiastic about their cars.
A chance encounter with one can easily turn into a discussion of the virtues of Tesla's electric sedan—and of electric cars in general.
That passion is reflected in a recent survey of owners conducted by market-research firm Strategic Vision.
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The Model S was declared "most-loved" vehicle in the firm's annual Customer Love Index.
The index is calculated from surveys of owners, who are asked to assess their vehicles' overall quality and value.
Strategic Vision also considers consumers' sentiment toward vehicles, their emotional attachment to them, and to what degree consumers become advocates for the brand.
Tesla Model S electric cars at Tejon Ranch Supercharger December 26, 2015 (photo by TMC user Lump)
Tesla owners are certainly known for being outspoken advocates for the company. Even more, electric cars in general tend to inspire their owners to become advocates.
Strategic Vision noted that, aside from its electric powertrain, the Model S is simply a desirable car.
The Tesla's styling, performance, and array of tech features have won it praise in comparisons with more traditional luxury cars, while its high-end status gives it more sex appeal than mainstream electric cars.
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In addition to the overall winner, Strategic Vision named "most-loved" cars for individual segments, including an "alternative propulsion" category.
The Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-Max Energi, and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid were named "most-loved" mid-size, small, and near-luxury alt-propulsion car, respectively.
The top brands overall were BMW and Subaru, each of which had five models on the "most-loved" list.
Tesla owners throw appreciation day celebration at Eden Prairie, MN Tesla Store.
Smart was named "most loved brand under $26,000," while Mini was named "most loved mass-market brand," and Porsche was the top luxury brand.
The biggest surprise may have come in the winner of the "most loved full-line corporation" this year.
While it is still managing the fallout of a diesel-emissions scandal, Volkswagen Group of America nonetheless won the laurels in that category.
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In another somewhat surprising finding, Millennials—owners aged 19 to 35 for the purposes of the survey—expressed more love for their cars than any other age group surveyed.
That seems to counter the common refrain among analysts that Millennials are less enthusiastic about cars than previous generations.
On the other hand, only car owners were surveyed, so the opinions of those Millennials who don't in fact own any vehicles were left out of the survey—known as the denominator problem.
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