Posted by Dave Sullivan on September 25, 2011 at 10:54 pm
The flagship sedan market today probably has the most competitive set of entries we’ve seen in years. The Audi A8, Jaguar XJ, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS460 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class all are eager to showcase just what the brand is about today and where technology is going in the next few years. They all have their own unique way to navigate between iPod playlists and the nearest Chipotle on the navigation screen. Some are better than others. Some have better audio systems than others. Some have more powerful powerful engines or sportier suspension tunings. Some just make people drool more than others. Once you dig in and realize how well respected the S-Class is around the world and look at the 2011 S550, you begin to understand what the hype is all about.
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Posted by Ed Kim on August 25, 2011 at 4:33 pm
AutoPacific, as a well-respected automotive research firm, uses the voice of real consumers like you, the VehicleVoice panel member, to help automakers make the best possible cars and trucks. The data that we collect also helps identify what vehicles are most satisfying to their owners, as well as being the closest to their owners’ ideals. Hence, each year we publish our annual list of AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) winners (most satisfying vehicles in their segments, as rated by owners) and AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) winners (closest to their owners’ ideals). These awards highlight what the best vehicles are doing right as reported by their owners, and can serve as a tool to you as the consumer in finding a vehicle that you will be extremely happy with for many years. Despite the vitriolic rants of the angry and ill-informed, we simply report on what you as the consumer tell us.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:10 am
The Dodge Challenger is the top ranked Sporty Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Award Research. Sporty Car owners are always seeking more and even though the Challenger won because its owners did not want much changed, there are some substantial areas they want changed. First, almost 50% want more power. This is characteristic of the Sporty Car buyer and Challenger buyers are no exception. Challenger owners want better visibility – a characteristic sacrificed by the aggressive styling of the car. They also want more infotainment technology. They most like its exterior size (although some want it smaller), cargo room and seat comfort. The Challenger handily outpointed the second place Volkswagen Eos for the Sporty Car trophy.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:05 am
The Cadillac Escalade is the top ranked Premium SUV in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, Escalade owners identify few things they would want changed. Even the most technology-laden vehicles still have their owners wanting more. About 30% of Escalade owners want more infotainment technology. They also want better interior storage and, believe it or not, more cargo space and passenger room. They most like its size, seat comfort and wheels. Escalade wins its class over second place Land Rover LR4.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
The F-150 is the top-ranked Light Duty Full Size Pickup based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, owners don’t want much change, but there are some exceptions. Over 35% of F-15 owners want better interior storage, 25% want their truck to be easier to get into and out of. About 20% want larger wheels and tires. Owners like their seat comfort, ride and roominess. The F-150 outpoints the second place Chevrolet Avalanche by a wide margin.
Large Light Duty Pickup
A Light Duty Pickup has a gross vehicle weight ratio under 8,500 pounds and includes the likes of the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and Chevrolet Silverado. These pickups can be used for both commercial and personal use and have a wide range of capability and pricing. Towing and horsepower both rank supreme for buyers of these trucks.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
The owners of the Porsche 911 rate the car so highly in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research that the car wins the IVA for the Sports Car Class and is also the top rated vehicle overall. As the overall and class winner, owners of the 911 do not want much changed. When pressed, about 20% say they want more cargo room, easier ingress/egress and more infotainment technology. They most like the seat comfort, ride and interior roominess. The Porsche Boxster/Cayman were in second place in the class. It was a Porsche sweep.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 8:50 am
The all new Grand Cherokee is the top ranked Mid-Size SUV in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, its owners identify few things they would want changed, but there are a few. About 30% would like better visibility and more infotainment technology. About 25% want the Grand Cherokee to be easier to get into and out of. About 25% want it to have more power and more cargo room as well. Grand Cherokee owners most like its ride, seat comfort, exterior size and the styling of the new vehicle. Grand Cherokee handily outpoints the second place Nissan Xterra.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 8:45 am
Cayenne is the top rated Premium Luxury XSUV based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, owners are pretty satisfied with the way the vehicle is executed with a few exceptions. Almost 35% want better interior storage in their Cayenne. About 25% want more cargo room and more infotainment technology. Over 20% want better visibility and more power. Owners like the ride, size and seat comfort. Cayenne edges out second place BMW X5 for its category win.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 8:15 am
The Flex is the top ranked Large XSUV in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, its owners identify few things they want changed, but inevitably there are a few. About 30% want better interior storage. Over 20% want more cargo room (!), more power (non-EcoBoost vehicles), and more infotainment technology. Flex owners most like its ride, seat comfort, size, roominess and ease of getting in and out. Flex handily outpoints second place GMC Acadia.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 8:00 am
The all-new Ford Explorer moved from a traditional SUV to a crossover SUV for 2011. It adopted all new styling, package and powertrain. Its owners rate the Explorer highest in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, Explorer owners identify few attributes they want changed, but there are a few. Ford consciously adopted more contemporary, more modern and aerodynamic styling for the new Explorer. The result is that owners want better visibility and easier ingress/egress. Available only with a 3.5L V6 for 2011, about 25% of Explorer owners want more power. Explorer owners most like its seat comfort, ride, size and handling. The Explorer outpoints the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango and wins by a nose.
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