Cadillac wins best brand and SUV owners happier?

A study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. summarizes the results of its 2006 model year owner satisfaction research for brands and product
segments. AutoPacific's VSA (Vehicle Satisfaction Award) study is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck.

The top rated Premium/Luxury Brand is Cadillac. Cadillac out-points second-place Lexus. Cadillac had the top rated Entry Luxury Car with its
CTS and solid performances by the rest of its lineup. The Lexus LS430 is the top rated Luxury Car, but Lexus overall rates just below Cadillac.

The top rated Mainstream Brand is Honda. With two category wins -- Honda Ridgeline is the top rated Sport Utility Truck and the Honda Odyssey
is the top rated Minivan, Honda nosed out second place Mainstream Brand Hyundai. Hyundai also had two category wins with the Hyundai Azera the top
car overall and the top Large Car and the Hyundai Santa Fe the top rated Mid-Size SUV.

In rating major segments, Sport Utility Vehicle owners rate their vehicles more satisfying than do Car, Pickup or Minivan owners. This
finding goes contrary to popular myth that SUVs are fading in popularity and SUV owners are dissatisfied with their vehicles.

AutoPacific previously announced individual vehicle winners. The vehicle registering highest overall satisfaction in 2006 is the Lincoln
Navigator Luxury SUV winning top vehicle, top truck and top Luxury SUV honors. The highest rated car is the new-for-2006 Hyundai flagship --
Hyundai Azera.

Source: AutoPacific

atomicbri - 5/31/2006 10:45:47 AM

+1 Boost

GM has actually paid attention to this one brand under its umbrella and has turned Cadillac around. Now if it can only do so for the rest of its brands (Saturn seems to be on its way however slow to get to the market products (new Astra based small car) and low volumes may not help it) The CTS is a nice car and the sneek peeks Lutz gave us on 60 minutes shows me more good things are to come.

PlanoA4 - 5/31/2006 11:19:06 AM

+1 Boost

Lexus not top dog in a survey... the sacrilege!

PlanoA4 - 5/31/2006 3:57:20 PM

+1 Boost

Duhh cus the Q7 JUST got here!

If ignorance is a fortune, you are indeed blessed.

three2four - 5/31/2006 4:36:37 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus is only a toyota with a few upgrades. Take a toyota, throw some leather and wood in it, change the emblems and call it a Lexus and people will say its the best luxury car out there. Lexus is quite possibly the worst luxury car company besides Lincoln. I cant understand how people could say that a lexus is better than a cadillac, mercedes, or bmw. I dont know how anyone could even say that they are better than a VW.

dblo7 - 6/1/2006 1:26:29 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus SUVs are over priced rebadged brand (which is good budget saving and used by most manufactures). Nice, but not the best or close to it. Obviously its hard for Lexus fans to admit it so I will not bother trying to convince anyone. Lexus cars on the other hand are sweet and I would not say Lexus is the same as Lincoln...lol.

At this rate GM and Ford (to a lesser degree, but coming out with new revamped models soon) have made their SUVs a top performer in the segment. No other manufacturer can touch the new Tahoe with regards to pricing, gotta have it factor, and versatility. I don't see Audi making an SUV that can seat 7 comfortably any time soon...sorry Q7. Don't forget it was Ford that made the SUV popular.

dblo7 - 6/1/2006 1:30:38 PM

+1 Boost

For those of you with blinders on, go to a Cadillac dealer. You WILL be surprised. Currently the CTS is better then the IS. I have driven both and it is close but the CTS is much more fun and handles better. The new Escalade, well no Lexus or Infiniti can compare (except with Interior which will give that slight edge to Lexus). Domestics are on the rise, don't hate...appreciate =)

three2four - 6/1/2006 3:36:28 PM

+1 Boost

Yes every cadillac is better against its toyota, sorry i mean lexus, counterpart. Check out the 07 escalade that interior beats everything. The XLR is faster, more refined, better looking and yes a little more expensive than the sc. Lexus hasnt even attempted to make a high performance line such as amg or v yet, so how could they be considered at the forefront of luxury and performance cars. The only thing thats good on a lexus is its ride and simplicity but thats because the car has no power.

Holydude - 6/8/2006 3:23:26 AM

+1 Boost

Saying a Lexus is a Toyota is akin to saying that an Audi is a VW, or that Mercedes is a Chrysler, or a Rolls Royce is a BMW. In fact, why don't everyone just call Lamborghini a VW sports car while we're at it?

The retards who makes those statements have to realize that all companies share parts with their subsidiaries. Who cares if they do as long as the finished product excels (as in the case of Lexus, Audi, and RR)?

Try to be more objective next time.

dblo7 - 6/16/2006 2:48:30 PM

+1 Boost

OK I 95...stick to your biased Lexus views...lol. Feel free to toute what you want but don't say Lexus is better then Cadillac just because you don't like American built cars. Cadillac has always been a fine brand, but needed a shot of adenaline. I am glad to see that biggest Cadi is no longer a car but an SUV. When was the last time you heard of a Cadillac recall?

Lexus is a great brand but you have to be even 'higher', PCP high or heroine high to constantly spout Lexus as the best of everything! Lexus just like most other brands share platforms within its company. So saying a Lexus is a Toyota is not a big deal. Of course the Lexus will have better trim and technology.

I find it hilarious that people constantly have to find excuses or have to call BS just because their fav brand is not # 1. Personally I would take the new Escalade over any Lexus or MB. I have personally driven both the new Escalade and current LX (RX is a joke). The LX is solid and smooth, but feels heavy on turns. Interior is not better or worse then the Escalade. They both are about the same in comfort. The Escalade is better in acceleration by a mile and feels more sporty around corners. My verdict is the new Escalade.