Category: Awards

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.

The all new Elantra is the top ranked Compact Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, its owners indicate there is little they would change about the car with only a few notable exceptions.  About 30% of Elantra owners want improved visibility (somewhat compromised by the swoopy styling of the new body).  About 25% want more power and a softer ride.  About 20% want more infotainment technology.  Elantra owners most like the Elantra for its seat comfort, styling and exterior size.  Elantra outpoints the second place Volkswagen Golf by a wide margin.

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.  

Legacy is the top rated Mid-Size Car based on owner ratings of changes they want in the car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, Legacy owners want very little change in their car, but there are a few exceptions.  About 30% want more infotainment technology and power.  Legacy owners like the size of their car, its ride and seat comfort.  For these owners, it interior roominess is about ideal.  The Legacy came in well ahead of the second place Subaru Outback. 

The Fusion is the top rated Premium Mid-Size Car based on owner ratings of changes they want in their car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, its owners indicate there is little they would change about their car, but there are notable exceptions.  Over 30% of Fusion owners want better visibility and over 25% want their car to be easier to get into and out of.  25% want more power.  Fusion owners least want to change its ride or seat comfort.  Fusion ekes out this win over the highly acclaimed, and second place in class, 2011 Hyundai Sonata. 

The MKZ is the top rated Luxury Mid-Size Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, its owners indicate there is little they would change in their new MKZ with a few exceptions.  Almost 30% of its owners want better visibility.  About 25% want for the MKZ to be easier to get into and out of.  About 20% want better safety features and more roominess.  MKZ owners least want to change its ride, seat comfort and handling.  MKZ handily outpoints the second place Lexus ES. 

The Azera is the top ranked Large Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  Its owners indicate there is little they would change about their new car with a few notable exceptions.  About 25% of the owners want more infotainment technology.  About 20% want the Azera to be easier to get into and out of.  About 30% would like a softer ride in their Azera.  They most like the Azera’s seat comfort, tires and wheels and exterior size.  The Azera wins its class by a wide margin over the second place Toyota Avalon.

The all new S60 is the top rated Aspirational Luxury 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.  As with many of today’s Volvos, the car is a little tight inside.  About 35% of the S60 owners want more interior roominess and about 27% want more cargo room.  About 15% say they would give up technology for easier to use controls.  They most like S60’s ride, seat comfort and handling.  The S60 wins its class by a substantial margin over the second place Audi A4. 

The E-Class is the top ranked Premium Luxury Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  Its owners indicate that there is little they would change about their new car with a few notable exceptions.  They would like for the E-Class to be easier to get into and out of and they would like more room inside.  They definitely want more power and would not sacrifice power for better fuel economy.  They most like seat comfort, the car’s responsive handling and its styling.  The E-Class handily wins its class outscoring the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 5-Series that were tied for second.

The Town & Country achieves the highest ranking among Minivans based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  This is quite an achievement because its two major competitors – Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are newer.  The T&C benefits from a thorough upgrade to its interior for 2011 and the changes worked to put the Chrysler Minivan on top.  Over 25% of Town & Country owners want more infotainment technology.  Over 20% want more daring styling, better ingress/egress, more safety features and more power.  Town & Country handily won over the second place all-new Honda Odyssey.