Category Archive:
Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Best In Class 2012 Full Size Pickup: Ford F-150
2012 Ford F-150 Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the 2012 Ford F-150 Full Size Pickup give the truck top ratings in seventeen of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The F-150 gets top marks for Driver’s Seat Comfort, Interior Styling, Feel of Interior Fabrics and Materials, Braking, Handling, Ride, Quietness, Control Feel and Quality, Instrument Layout, Brand of Audio System, Visibility, Tire Brand/Size Appearance, Environmental Friendliness, Infotainment Technology, Advanced Powertrain Technology (new engines and availability of EcoBoost), Collision Avoidance Technology and Range. With a possible high score of 5.0 satisfaction rating points for each attribute, a rating of 4.6 or higher can be considered to be very good. F-150 owners rate the truck at 4.6 or higher in: Overall Satisfaction, Seating Capacity, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Reliable/Dependable, Ride, and Feeling Safe While Driving. Owners rate the F-150 below 4.0 satisfaction rating attributes in: Fuel Economy, Range, Environmental Friendliness, Price, Recyclability and Warranty.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:58 am
Best in Class 2012 Heavy Duty Pickup: Ford Super Duty
2012 Ford F-Series Super Duty Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the 2012 Ford Super Duty Pickups give the trucks top ratings in twenty-three of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. This is the second year in a row the Super Duties have won the VSA for its class. The Super Duties get top marks for Exterior Size, Ease of Getting In and Out, Seating Capacity, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Ease of Loading Cargo, Image, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Feel of Interior Fabrics and Materials, Power and Acceleration, Fun to Drive, Fuel Economy, Ride, Quietness, Instrument Layout, Visibility, Cupholder Design and Size, Overall Quality and Durability. With a possible high score of 5.0 rating points for each attribute, a rating of 4.6 or higher can be considered to be very good. Super Duty owners rate the trucks at 4.6 or higher in: Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Power and Acceleration, Feeling Safe While Driving and Overall Quality. Super Duty owners give the pickups satisfaction ratings below 4.0 in six attributes: Flexible Seating, Fuel Economy (even though the SD had the highest rating for this attribute), Cruising Range, Interior Lighting, Environmental Friendliness, Price, Recyclability and Collision Avoidance Technology.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:57 am
Best In Class 2012 Compact Pickup: Nissan Frontier
2012 Nissan Frontier Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the class-winning 2012 Nissan Frontier give the trucks top ratings in eight of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The Frontier gets top marks for Ease of Getting In and Out, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Feel of Interior Fabrics and Materials, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Ride, Easy to Understand Controls and Cupholder Design and Size. Ratings for characteristics in the Compact Pickup Class are a bit lower than for some other categories of vehicles, so considering that a perfect score for an attribute is 5.0 rating points, a rating of 4.2 or higher can be considered more than competitive. Frontier owners rate the truck at 4.2 or higher in: Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Seating Capacity, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Ease of Loading Cargo, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Fun to Drive, Reliable/Dependable, Ride, Easy to Use Controls, Instrument Layout, Visibility, Tire Brand/Size/Appearance, Dealership Experience, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Ratings, Overall Quality and Durability. The lowest ratings were for Range, Recyclability and Fuel Economy.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:56 am
Best In Class 2012 Luxury SUV: Cadillac Escalade
2012 Cadillac Escalade Most Satisfying Vehicle in AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards
Owners of the 2012 Cadillac Escalade give the Luxury SUV top ratings in twenty-seven of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The Escalade was also the Most Satisfying Vehicle Overall. To top that off, Escalade has been the Most Satisfying Luxury SUV for the last five years. The Escalade gets top marks for Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Ease of Getting In and Out, Seating Capacity, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Flexible Seating, Ease of Loading Cargo, Exterior Color, Interior Storage, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Reliable/Dependable, Quality Feeling Controls, Instrument Layout, Brand of Audio System, Driver’s Visibility, Interior Lighting, Cupholders, Infotainment Technology, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Rating, Price, Advanced Powertrain Technology, Collision Avoidance Technology, Warranty. With a possible high score of 5.0 rating points for each attribute, a rating of 4.6 or higher can be considered to be very good. Escalade owners give the SUV scores of 4.6 or higher in: Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Ease of Getting In and Out, Seating Capacity, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Exterior Color, Reliable/Dependable, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Brand of Audio System, Visibility, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Rating and Warranty. While some consider the Escalade to be the “King of Bling” in today’s automotive world, its owners clearly perceive it to be something special and worthy of the highest satisfaction rating among 2012 model year trucks and the most satisfying vehicle overall.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:55 am
Best in Class 2012 Large SUV: GMC Yukon
2012 GMC Yukon Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the 2012 GMC Yukon give the Large SUV top ratings in twenty-four of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. This is the second year in row Yukon has been the most satisfying Large SUV. The Yukon gets top marks for Driver’s Seat Comfort, Image, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Feel of Interior Materials, Power and Acceleration, Handling, Fun to Drive, Ride, Quality Feeling Controls, Instrument Layout, Visibility, Interior Lighting, Tire Brand/Size/Appearance, Environmental Friendliness, Dealership Experience, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Ratings, Overall Quality, Advanced Powertrain Technology, Durablity, Warranty. With a possible high score of 5.0 rating points for each attribute, a rating of 4.6 or higher can be considered to be very good. Yukon owners give the SUV scores of 4.6 or higher in: Driver’s Seat Comfort, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Interior Materials, Power and Acceleration, Handling, Ride, Dealership Experience, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Ratings, and Overall Quality. Yukon’s rating of over 700 VSA points is an excellent result.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:53 am
Best in Class 2012 Premium Mid-Size SUV: Jeep Grand Cherokee
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee give the Premium Mid-Size SUV top ratings in nineteen of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The Grand Cherokee has been the Most Satisfying Premium Mid-Size SUV since it was all new for the 2011 Model Year. It has won two years in a row. The Grand Cherokee gets top marks for Rear Seat Comfort, Exterior Color, Interior Styling, Interior Materials, Interior Storage, Braking, Fuel Economy, Ride, Quietness, Interior Lighting, Cupholders, Tire Brand/Size/Appearance, Wheel Size and Style, Infotainment Technology, Price, Recyclability, Advanced Powertrain Technology, Collision Avoidance Technology, and Range. Ratings for characteristics in the Mid-Size Premium SUV Class are a bit lower than for some other categories of vehicles (many of these are based on truck chassis), so considering that a perfect score for an attribute is 5.0 rating points, a rating of 4.2 or higher can be considered more than competitive. Grand Cherokee owners rate the truck at 4.2 or higher twenty-four of the forty-eight characteristics including: Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Seating Capacity, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Ease of Loading Cargo, Image, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Interior Materials, Braking, Handling, Fun to Drive, Reliable/Dependable, Ride, Quietness, Quality Feeling Controls, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Rating, Overall Quality, and Durability. Grand Cherokee owners rate the vehicle below 4.0 satisfaction rating points in eight categories: Ease of Getting In and Out, Flexible Seating, Fuel Economy (even though it is the highest best in the class), Range (best in class), Environmental Friendliness (tied for best in class), Price (best in class), Recyclability (best in class), and Collision Avoidance Technology (best in class). Grand Cherokee owners give the vehicle strong overall ratings that place it at the forefront of its competition.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:52 am
Best In Class 2012 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: Mercedes-Benz ML
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML give the Premium Luxury SUV top ratings in nineteen of forty-eight characteristics measured in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The ML gets top marks for: Overall satisfaction, Cargo Capacity, Ease of Loading Cargo, Vehicle’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Braking, Handling, Ride, Quietness, Quality Feeling Controls, Visibility, Environmental Friendliness, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Rating, Overall Quality, Collision Avoidance Technology and Durability. With a possible high score of 5.0 rating points for each attribute, a rating of 4.6 or higher can be considered to be very good. ML owners give the SUV scores of 4.6 or higher in: Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Seating Capacity, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Ease of Loading Cargo, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Feel of Interior Materials, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Fun to Drive, Reliable/Dependable, Ride, Quietness, Quality Feeling Controls, Instrument Layout, Visibility, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Ratings, Overall Quality, Collision Avoidance Technology and Durability. ML owner give the vehicle ratings of 4.0 satisfaction points or lower in: Fuel Economy, Price, and Recyclability. The ML owners are clearly very satisfied with the characteristics of their new SUV and the Mercedes brand certainly contributes to its position atop the class.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:51 am
Best in Class 2012 Economy Car: Chevrolet Sonic
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the all-new Chevrolet Sonic give the car top ratings in twelve of forty-eight attributes in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. Sonic gets top marks for Feel of Interior Fabrics and Materials, Interior Storage, Power and Acceleration, Handling, Ride, Quietness, Controls Have a Quality Feel and Operation, Instrument Layout, Wheel Size and Style, Infotainment Technology, Advanced Powertrain Technology, Collision Avoidance Technology. With a possible high score of 5.0, Sonic owners rated the car at 4.6 rating points or higher in Overall Satisfaction and Reliable/Dependable. Characteristically, Economy Cars do not score highly in many attributes, but Sonic has achieved ratings solid enough to win its class. The lowest ratings by Sonic owners are for Cupholder Design and Size and Rear Seat Comfort.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:50 am
Best In Class 2012 Compact Car: Volkswagen Beetle
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the all-new Volkswagen Beetle give the car top ratings in twenty of forty-eight attributes in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. Owners of the Beetle gave top ratings for: Exterior Size, Image, Vehicle’s Reputation, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Feel of Interior Fabrics and Materials, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Fun to Drive, Reliable/Dependable, Controls Have a Quality Feel and Operation, Instrument Layout, Brand of Audio System, Tire Brand/Size/Appearance, Wheel Size and Style, Dealership Experience and Price. With a possible high score of 5.0 on each attribute, Beetle owners gave the Beetle a rating of 4.6 or higher on: Overall Satisfaction, Exterior Size, Image, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Exterior Color, Exterior Styling, Interior Styling, Power and Acceleration, Braking, Handling, Fun to Drive, Reliable/Dependable, and Overall Quality. The owners of the Beetle give the car high marks for characteristics that enhance their driving involvement and also make the car “new” just by glancing at it. Volkswagen deserves an “Outstanding” rating in its remake of the iconic New Beetle from a decade ago.
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Posted by George Peterson on June 10, 2012 at 11:48 am
Best In Class 2012 Hybrid/EV Crossover SUV: Lexus RX450h
2012 Lexus RX450h Wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Owners of the 2012 Lexus RX450h Hybrid Crossover SUV give the vehicle top ratings in twenty-five of forty-eight attributes in AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. We won’t list all the winning categories. It would take too much space, but let’s consider those ratings of 4.5 or higher out of a possible high score of 5.0 satisfaction rating points: Overall Satisfaction, Driver’s Seat Comfort, Image, Vehicle’s Reputation, Brand’s Reputation, Interior Materials, Ride, Reliability, Feeling Safe While Driving, Safety Features, Safety Ratings and Overall Quality. Owners rate the RX450h below 4.0 satisfaction rating points in six categories: Interior Storage, Fuel Economy, Cruising Range, Price, Recyclability, Collision Avoidance Technology.
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