Cadillac Escalade tops annual satisfaction awards

(May 26, 2012) The Cadillac Escalade Luxury SUV registered the highest overall satisfaction rating — car of truck — in the 16th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards announced this week by automotive marketing research firm AutoPacific and online automotive research site Autobytel.

Based on the largest single-model-year survey of automotive owners, the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are designed to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions with a true “word of mouth” survey.  More than 75,000 vehicle owners across all major manufacturers were surveyed based on their satisfaction of the current vehicle they own. 

Buick and Mercedes-Benz took the top spots as overall winners — Buick in the popular brand category and Mercedes in the premium brand category — for the highest satisfaction brands.

Multiple top-ranked award winners in various categories included General Motors with six awards, Volkswagen with four awards, and Mercedes-Benz and Honda with three awards each.

According to George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, “In today’s market, it’s difficult to find a low-quality vehicle.  The quality of vehicles from all manufacturers has risen to the highest level in history and what delineates a car or truck is owner satisfaction.”  He continued, “Consumer purchases are often influenced by objective awards especially when they are based on consumer sentiment.  It was our goal to get the input from as many consumers as possible because ultimately, it’s the consumer’s opinion that counts.”

The satisfaction survey measures how satisfied an owner is with his or her new vehicle providing input on 48 individual attributes that objectively measure the ownership experience such as driver’s seat comfort, power and acceleration, interior styling, exterior styling, cargo space/capacity, ease of getting in and out, and quietness inside the vehicle.

“With hundreds of 2012 model year vehicles available, consumers need assistance to find a vehicle that’s right for them,” said Autobytel Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey H. Coats.

“The 48 vehicle attributes we survey is detailed information that only a vehicle owner can provide, and that most consumers would want to know.  Cars that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction survey appear to be delivering the highest value and consumer satisfaction across a wide range of attributes.”  He added, “We are pleased to announce this year’s winners and congratulate them on their ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Category Winners

Passenger Cars:

 

Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Luxury Car   2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Aspirational Luxury Car  2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Luxury Mid-Size Car 2012 Lincoln MKZ
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Car 2012 Chrysler 300
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Car 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Mid-Size Car    2012 Subaru Legacy
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Compact Car 2012 Volkswagen GTI
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Compact Car  2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Economy 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Sports Car  2012 Chevrolet Corvette
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Sporty Car 2012 Scion tC
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Hybrid/EV Car 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

 

Light Trucks:

 

Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Heavy Duty Pickup 2012 Ford F-Series Super Duty
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Light Duty Pickup 2012 Ford F-150
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Compact Pickup 2012 Nissan Frontier
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle 2012 Cadillac Escalade
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Sport Utility Vehicle 2012 GMC Yukon
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Luxury Crossover SUV 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Luxury Crossover SUV  2012 Cadillac SRX
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Crossover SUV 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV    2012 Honda Pilot
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Mid-Size Crossover SUV 2012 Honda CR-V
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Compact Crossover SUV 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Minivan 2012 Honda Odyssey
Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Hybrid/EV Truck / SUV 2012 Lexus RX450h Hybrid