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AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) recognizes the vehicle that best hits the target its buyers demand.  Winning an IVA shows the product planners, engineers and designers of the manufacturer understand what their target customers want and have created the vehicle to best meet their demands.

Grand Cherokee Edges Nissan Xterra for IVA Win: The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes closest to the ideal of any Premium Mid-Size SUV.  The Grand Cherokee edges out the second place Nissan Xterra by 32 rating points to win in its class.   Having eighty-percent or more of owners rating a characteristic ideal is outstanding.  Achieving a score of ninety-percent is even more impressive.  Ninety-percent or more of Grand Cherokee owners rate its ride and handling ideal.  Eighty-percent or more of Grand Cherokee owners find these additional characteristics ideal:  exterior size, interior lighting, passenger roominess, exterior styling, driver’s seat comfort, tires and safety features.

A Few Shortfalls – Some Could Have Been Offset by Selecting Available Options and Powertrains: About 32% of Grand Cherokee owners want better driver’s seat visibility.  About 30% want better infotainment technology.  These owners likely did not opt for the extra cost uConnect entertainment and information system.  About 28% of Grand Cherokee owners want better power and acceleration, but only 7% would trade off power and acceleration for better fuel economy. They must not have opted for the HEMI V8.  About 28% want their Grand Cherokee to be easier to get into and out of. About 25% want more distinctive wheels than now.  About 24% want more interior storage compartments.  About 23% of Grand Cherokee want more cargo space than now.  About 15% want a softer driver’s seat than now.

You can find an Autobytel review of this IVA award winner at  http://www.autobytel.com/auto-news/awards/ideal-suvs-pickups-rated-by-owners-in-2012-iva-awards-112117/

For a complete summary of all AutoPacific 2012 Ideal Vehicle Award results contact karin.turner@vehiclevoice.com and title your email “IVA Results”.  A copy of the results will be emailed to you within 48-hours.