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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.

MINI Countryman Dominates Kia Sportage for IVA Win: The 2012 MINI Countryman comes closest to the ideal of any Compact Crossover SUV.  The Countryman edges out the second place Kia Sportage by 78 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 Countryman owners rate its exterior size, interior lighting, passenger roominess, exterior styling, wheels, driver’s seat comfort, ease of getting in and out and safety features ideal.  Eighty-percent or more of Countryman owners find these additional characteristics ideal:  ride and handling and tires.

A Few Shortfalls – Some Basic: Many of the Countryman’s shortfalls are related to package and style.  About 37% of Countryman owners want more interior storage compartments.  About 31% of Countryman owners want better driver’s seat visibility.  About 30% want more cargo space.  About 29% want more infotainment technology.  About 25% want more power and acceleration but only 1% would trade off power and acceleration for better fuel economy.

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.