(October 22, 2020) NORTH TUSTIN, Calif. — Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. today announced the 2020 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), recognizing vehicles that best meet owners' expectations for the product. The GMC Acadia was named the overall most ideal vehicle and Tesla and Land Rover tied for Most Ideal Brand Overall and Most Ideal Premium Brand. Volkswagen captured the Most Ideal Popular Brand.

The 2020 awards are based on responses from more than 73,000 owners of new vehicles across all major manufacturers. Based solely on owner input, AutoPacific IVAs link owner expectations with their actual vehicle experiences by measuring respondent desire for change with 14 vehicle attributes ranging from interior storage to power and acceleration. "IVA's speak to a vehicle's layout and design by revealing which vehicles best meet their owner's needs and expectations," says AutoPacific president George Peterson.

AutoPacific's annual Ideal Vehicle Awards recognize vehicles that best meet owners’ expectations for the product. When asked what they would change about their new vehicle, buyers who want the least change are driving their ideal vehicle. The 2020 awards are based on responses from more than 73,000 owners of new vehicles across all major manufacturers.

Winners spread across 17 brands; 11 manufacturers


Highlighting a diversity of offerings, the 24 winning vehicles come from seventeen different brands. Mercedes-Benz and Honda received the most brand wins with three each, followed by Tesla, Toyota and Volvo with two wins each, and one win from each of the remaining 12 brands.

"Not only do this year's winners span the market in terms of brand, they also span the segments within each brand," says AutoPacific market research manager Deborah Grieb. "Honda's three wins come from the car, truck and SUV segments, while the three wins from Mercedes-Benz come from both the car and SUV segments, showcasing each brand's knowledge of their customer base."

Tesla, a 2018 Ideal Brand winner, returned to the top by providing owners with an ideal amount of info and entertainment technology, interior storage and power and acceleration. Tying for Most Ideal Brand, Land Rover hit the right mark with owners by providing ideal interior quietness, safety features, and center screen size.



Info and entertainment technology presents an industry challenge


Only 56% of new vehicle buyers are content with their vehicle's info/entertainment technology, an area that has been a challenge for automotive manufacturers for years. "The challenge with info and entertainment technology is in the user interface, as well as the type and amount of content provided," explained Peterson.

AutoPacific data revealed that of the 44% of new vehicle buyers who would change their info/entertainment technology, 30% want more advanced info/entertainment technology in their vehicle and 14% want it to be simpler or easier to use. Desire for changes to info and entertainment technology is often dependent on the age of the vehicle buyer, as 42% of buyers under age 40 say they want more advanced info/entertainment technology compared to 24% of those 40 and older.