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The sporty C30 3-door hatchback is the top rated Premium Compact Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, its owners indicate there is little they would change about their new car with a few notable exceptions.  About 35% want better interior storage and easier ingress/egress.  About 25% of C30 owners want more infotainment technology, more cargo room and better visibility.  C30 owners most like the car’s seat comfort, ride, and power.  The C30 outscores second place Audi A3 by a wide margin.  

Premium Compact Cars

Premium Compact Cars generally carry a premium price in relation to their size.  A MINI Cooper or Audi A3 would fall into this category.  These cars generally have premium materials, technologies, and features not usually seen in most 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.