Score one for the Americans, as automotive research firm AutoPacific has named the winners for their 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards, identifying the vehicles which their owners are least likely to desire changes. Overall, the domestic camp scored nine segment wins out of 23 total vehicle segments, while Japanese brands took seven, European brands four, and Korean brands having three winners. Ford and Porsche were named the most ideal brands to own.
The 2009 IVAs are based on owners' ratings of their new 2009 model year vehicles across 15 vehicle attributes. Highly-ranked vehicles were those that owners would change the fewest aspects of. In the words of George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, "car buyers take many factors into consideration -- styling, safety features, fuel economy and more. IVA winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles."
The top-rated overall vehicle is the Honda Odyssey minivan. In tow behind the Odyssey are the Toyota Venza, Ford F-150, Ford Taurus, and Lincoln Town Car. Our 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year, the Subaru Forester, was named the top mid-size crossover SUV.
2009 Ideal Vehicle Award Winners:
- 2009 Ideal Premium Brand: Porsche
- 2009 Ideal Mainstream Brand: Ford
- 2009 Ideal Product Segment: Large Car
Pickups, SUVs, and Minivans
- Large Pickup: Ford F-150
- Compact Pickup: Ford Explorer Sport Trac
- Luxury Sport Utility: Lincoln Navigator
- Large Sport Utility: Nissan Armada
- Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility: Ford Explorer
- Mid-Size Sport Utility: Jeep Liberty
- Luxury Crossover SUV: BMW X5
- Large Crossover SUV: Chevrolet Traverse
- Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV: Toyota Venza
- Mid-Size Crossover SUV: Subaru Forester
- Compact Crossover SUV: Kia Sportage
- Minivan: Honda Odyssey
Passenger Cars
- Premium Luxury Car: Lexus LS
- Aspirational Luxury Car: Hyundai Genesis
- Large Car: Ford Taurus
- Luxury Mid-Size Car: Lexus ES350
- Premium Mid-Size Car: Saturn Aura
- Mid-Size Car: Volkswagen Jetta
- Image Compact Car: Mini Cooper
- Compact Car: Hyundai Elantra
- Economy Car: Honda Fit
- Sports Car: Porsche 911
- Sporty Car: Dodge Challenger
Source: AutoPacific