AutoPacific Releases 2001 Vehicle Satisfaction Scores
FOR RELEASE: May 3, 2001AutoPacific Releases 2001 Vehicle Satisfaction Scores; Cadillac Top Brand, Lexus Highest-Rated Car, Lincoln Highest-Rated Truck
TUSTIN, Calif. -- Results of a study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. reveal owner satisfaction levels with new 2001 model year cars and light trucks. The VSS (Vehicle Satisfaction Score) study is an industry benchmark for objective new vehicle buyer and lessee satisfaction.
The top-rated brand for 2001 is Cadillac, taking the crown from last year's winner Lexus.
The individual vehicle model registering highest overall satisfaction for a second consecutive year is Lexus' LS sedan, represented for 2001 by an all-new LS430 model. The highest-rated truck is Lincoln's Navigator, which rose from 5th place in the 2000 study to claim top honors this year in a more competitive product segment.
"The corporate combination of Toyota and Lexus once again demonstrates significant strength in the new vehicle arena with five segment winners," notes AutoPacific founder and president George Peterson. "Ford also shines with four class winners, while General Motors and Nissan each have three, and Daimler-Chrysler and Honda each have two." Joining the winner's circle for the first time is Hyundai with its all-new Santa Fe sport utility.
Top performers by segment are:
PASSENGER CARS:
| Premium Luxury High Car | Lexus LS430 | (repeat winner) |
| Contemporary Luxury Car | Acura RL | (tied) |
| Infiniti I30 | (tied) | |
| Luxury Car | Cadillac DeVille | (repeat winner) |
| Premium Mid-Size Car | Toyota Avalon | |
| Mid-Size Car | Toyota Camry | |
| Compact Car | Honda Civic | |
| Sports Car | Mercedes-Benz SLK | (repeat winner) |
| Sporty Car | Ford Mustang | |
| Alternate Fuel Vehicle | Toyota Prius |
LIGHT TRUCKS:
| Large Pickup | Truck Toyota Tundra | (repeat winner) |
| Compact Pickup | Truck Nissan Frontier | |
| 4-Door Pickup Truck | Ford F-150 Super Crew | |
| Luxury Sport Utility | Lincoln Navigator | |
| Large Sport Utility | Ford Excursion | |
| Mid-Size Sport Utility | Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
| Compact Sport Utility | Hyundai Santa Fe | |
| Full-Size Van | GMC Savana | (tied) |
| Chevrolet Express | (tied) | |
| Minivan | Nissan Quest |
Commemorating the 2001 study is a newly commissioned award that will be given to manufacturers of the top-ranking vehicles in each segment. The award underscores AutoPacific's role as an auto industry specialist, featuring a stylized and evocative vehicle shape mounted on a dramatic brushed aluminum base.
In addition to establishing segment winners, VSS also establishes numerical ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market. Among passenger cars, following LS430 as top scorer is Cadillac DeVille in second place, BMW 7-Series third, Toyota Avalon fourth and Mercedes-Benz S-class fifth. Among light trucks, ranking second behind Lincoln Navigator is Ford Excursion, followed by Lexus RX300 in third, GMC Yukon fourth and Acura's new MDX sport utility fifth.
