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The Tiguan wins the Compact XSUV category based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  Even while winning top spot, Tiguan owners have some significant wants.  Almost 45% want more cargo room and 25% want better interior storage.  About 15% want a softer ride.  While passenger roominess is not a problem, Tiguan needs more cargo space and thoughtful places to store stuff in the interior.  The Tiguan handily won over second place Suzuki Grand Vitara. 

Compact XSUV

Compact XSUVs range from pint-sized cute utes like the Nissan Juke to the Jeep Compass.  Often pegged as a compact commuter cars with an elevated seating position and available all-wheel drive, these vehicles are essentially the entry point for XSUVs.  Increasingly, they are becoming alternatives to traditional Compact Cars.

Ideal Vehicle Award

Each year AutoPacific surveys new car and light truck buyers via mail and Internet about their new vehicle in order to learn more about their purchase experience, attribute importance and satisfaction, lifestyle, preferences, vehicle use, personal characteristics, desired features and more. Respondents to this survey are owners of new 2011 model-year cars and trucks purchased from September through December 2010.  The questionnaire was administered in January and March 2011. The 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on scores developed using results from a part of this survey that focuses on the consumers’ desire to change their vehicle if given the opportunity.  Respondents rate 15 attributes indicating whether they want them to be changed (larger, smaller, more or less) or not changed (stay the same) after having driven their vehicle for 90 days. Those vehicles wanting the LEAST CHANGE win the IVA for their class.  A total of 72,917 respondents provided input for these awards.