AutoPacifc Study Names Infiniti Top Brand In Vehicle Satisfaction

A study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. summarizes the results of its 2007 model year vehicle satisfaction research. AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck.

The brand with the highest satisfaction rating is Infiniti. The vehicle registering highest overall satisfaction in 2007 is the Cadillac DTS. The highest rated truck is the new-for-2007 Lincoln MKX, a Luxury Crossover SUV.

There are twenty-five Vehicle Satisfaction Award categories. At the manufacturer level, multiple award winners include: General Motors and Toyota: six categories, Ford: five categories, Nissan and Hyundai: three categories, and Honda: two categories.

"Infiniti wins the Vehicle Satisfaction Award as the top brand in the closest race in years. Strong satisfaction performance by Infiniti cars and trucks has Infiniti winning over strong performances by Lincoln, Cadillac, Lexus and other luxury marques," says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "The dual wins by Ford Motor Company's new Crossover SUVs -- the Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge -- shows Ford was on target when developing these important new vehicles."

Peterson continues, "The Cadillac DTS is the highest rated car and vehicle overall. The Hyundai Santa Fe was the first Korean vehicle to win AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award -- in 2001 -- and continues its strong performance for the sixth year in a row. Winning an AutoPacific VSA is testament for any vehicle that their owners are confident they have made the right choice."

Top 2007 model year performers are:

BRAND: Infiniti

PASSENGER CARS:

Premium Luxury Car -- Lexus LS/BMW 7-Series
Aspirational Luxury Car -- Jaguar X-Type
Large Luxury Car -- Cadillac DTS
Large Car -- Hyundai Azera/Toyota Avalon
Luxury Mid-Size Car -- Nissan Maxima
Premium Mid-Size Car -- Nissan Altima
Mid-Size Car -- Saturn Aura
Image Compact Car -- Audi A3
Compact Car -- Pontiac G5
Economy Car -- Honda Fit
Premium Sports Car -- Lexus SC
Sports Car -- Porsche Boxster
Sporty Car -- Scion tC

LIGHT TRUCKS:

Large Light-Duty Pickup -- Chevrolet Silverado
Large Heavy-Duty Pickup -- Chevrolet Silverado HD
Compact Pickup -- Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Luxury Sport Utility -- Lincoln Navigator
Large Sport Utility -- GMC Yukon XL
Mid-Size Sport Utility -- Toyota 4Runner
Compact SUV/Off-Road Vehicle -- Toyota FJ Cruiser
Luxury Crossover SUV -- Lincoln MKX
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV -- Ford Edge/Hyundai Santa Fe
Mid-Size Crossover SUV -- Honda CR-V
Compact Crossover SUV -- Hyundai Tucson
Minivan -- Nissan Quest

In addition to identifying category winners, VSA also establishes numerical satisfaction ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market. Owner satisfaction is measured across 46 specific areas related to a vehicle's operation, comfort, safety and the overall purchase/lease experience. The 2007 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September through December 2006.

Source: AutoPacific

Will_ - 6/12/2007 2:09:26 PM

+1 Boost

Infiniti, Lincoln, Cadillac, Lexus.

The top luxury marques from Japan and America are the most satisfying to their customers, go figure.

Willis - 6/12/2007 3:54:18 PM

-1 Boost

I own a German car, I am 100% satisfied with it. Consumer Reports tells me that my car literally "sucks" too. As if...

Will_ - 6/12/2007 2:27:34 PM

-4 Boost

"As can be seen, the top 4 are within just 3 points, while number 5 trails number 4 by 10."

lol.

In other words, Lexus (and the other three that nobody here will really get up in arms about) is more satisfying than Mercedes by the widest margin on the scorecard.

Anti_Bangle - 6/12/2007 2:51:07 PM

0 Boost

I wonder how significant these so-called studies are. How was this study designed anyway?

I'm really surprised to see Caddy and Lincoln creeped all the way up above Lexus.

Willis - 6/12/2007 3:53:10 PM

+1 Boost

Premium Sports Car -- Lexus SC

^What a joke.^

The SC430 is DEAD LAST in its class. It's time for a redesign and fast.

Willis - 6/12/2007 4:08:05 PM

+1 Boost

I was talking about placing the SC430 in the "Premium Sports Car" category. That's a bad joke on their part.

chuck717 - 6/12/2007 4:10:55 PM

+1 Boost

Everybody is in the survey rackett. What we need is another survey to rank the survey companies???

S4cabriofoxone - 6/13/2007 1:21:56 PM

+2 Boost

REPOST.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/13/2007 1:22:17 PM

+2 Boost

REPOST.