(August 3, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific and Autobytel Inc. have announced that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the overall winner in the 2012 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVAs). Established in 2006, the IVAs recognize the cars that meet their owner's expectations and desires about their automotive purchases.

Audi was named the top premium brand and Mini was named the top popular brand.

While Mini and Audi took the top spots as overall winners for the highest scores for Most Ideal Vehicles, multiple top-ranked award winners included Honda/Acura with five awards; General Motors with four awards; Chrysler/Jeep with three awards; and Volkswagen/Audi with three awards.  Mini and Ford achieved two awards, and Audi swept the first three spots in the Aspirational Luxury Car category with the A4, A5, and A6.

Based on the largest single-model-year survey of automotive owners, the IVAs are designed to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions with a true “peer-to-peer” survey. 

More than 75,000 vehicle owners across all major manufacturers were surveyed to reveal the vehicles that best meet their owners’ demands.  The survey reflects the views of over 75,000 automotive owners who have owned their 2012 vehicles for 90 days. 

It then measures any changes that the owners would make to their new car or light truck. The Ideal Vehicle Awards recognize  vehicles where owners wanted the least amount of change across 15 key vehicle attributes, including: exterior styling, exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, driver's seat comfort, driver’s seat visibility, info/entertainment technology, interior lighting, power and acceleration, ease of getting in and out, interior storage compartments, ride, handling, safety features and tires and wheels. 

“The significance of the Ideal Vehicle Awards is that they identify the automotive manufacturers that are listening to their buyers when updating and developing their latest cars,” said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. 

“In addition to identifying segment winners, the IVAs also establish numerical Ideal Vehicle Ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the United States market. With 38% of car buyers being positively influenced by owner-based awards like the IVAs, these awards can give car shoppers a good direction to go when searching for their next vehicle purchase.”

“The Ideal Vehicle Awards compliment the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards we recently announced,” said Autobytel Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey H. Coats. “We gladly provide car buyers with consumer-to-consumer points-of-view to assist them with their car buying choices.  The Ideal Vehicle Awards offer shoppers a unique perspective based on current owners’ recommendations.”

2012 Ideal Vehicle Awards: Passenger Cars

2012 Ideal Vehicle Awards: Light Trucks