Executives said all four of these units "broke the code" last year. "All four vehicles clearly lead on the strongest factors for their respective segments, are clearly ahead of the nearest competition and have important strengths that set them apart from others in their segments," officials explained...
"Leaders demonstrate foundation strengths that create a sense of security for the drivers and add substantial leverage in performance, design, innovation and thoughtfulness over their competition," executives continued. "These four vehicles deliver the customers' desires and the manufacturers' vision."
Darrel Edwards, founder and creative director for Strategic Design, pointed out, "The ability of a vehicle to be a true leader in customer delight means that it delivers a complete, positive, emotional experience that is worth the price.
"These vehicles can be expected to be strong for years," Edwards added. "These vehicles are models of what the industry should deliver."
Strategic Vision's Most Delightful Vehicles:
Cars:
Small Car: Honda Civic
Small Multi-Function: Chrysler PT Cruiser
Medium Car: Kia Optima
Medium M-Function: Mazda6 Wagon
Large Car: Dodge Charger
Near-Luxury Car: BMW
Luxury M-Function: Mercedes R-Class Wagon
Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class Sedan
Small Special less than $25k: Mini Cooper
Small Special greater than $25k: Porsche 911
Mid-Specialty: Honda Accord Coupe
Convertible less than $30k: Mini Cooper Convertible
Convertible greater than $30k: Lexus SC430
Trucks:
Minivan: Kia Sedona
Small SUV: Saturn Vue
Medium Crossover SUV: Honda Pilot
Medium SUV: GMC Envoy
Large SUV: Nissan Armada
Luxury SUV: Mercedes ML Class
Compact Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Full-Size Pickup: Chevy Avalanche 1500
Heavy-Duty Pickup: Chevy Silverado: 2500/3500
Strategic Vision said the delight factor for vehicles in each segment was calculated from the responses of more than 95,000 new-vehicle owners who made their purchases between September 2005 and April 2006. They owned their vehicles for at least 90 days, and the primary driver of the vehicle was surveyed, according to executives.
Darrel Edwards, founder and creative director for Strategic Design, pointed out, "The ability of a vehicle to be a true leader in customer delight means that it delivers a complete, positive, emotional experience that is worth the price.
"These vehicles can be expected to be strong for years," Edwards added. "These vehicles are models of what the industry should deliver."
Strategic Vision's Most Delightful Vehicles:
Cars:
Small Car: Honda Civic
Small Multi-Function: Chrysler PT Cruiser
Medium Car: Kia Optima
Medium M-Function: Mazda6 Wagon
Large Car: Dodge Charger
Near-Luxury Car: BMW
Luxury M-Function: Mercedes R-Class Wagon
Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class Sedan
Small Special less than $25k: Mini Cooper
Small Special greater than $25k: Porsche 911
Mid-Specialty: Honda Accord Coupe
Convertible less than $30k: Mini Cooper Convertible
Convertible greater than $30k: Lexus SC430
Trucks:
Minivan: Kia Sedona
Small SUV: Saturn Vue
Medium Crossover SUV: Honda Pilot
Medium SUV: GMC Envoy
Large SUV: Nissan Armada
Luxury SUV: Mercedes ML Class
Compact Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Full-Size Pickup: Chevy Avalanche 1500
Heavy-Duty Pickup: Chevy Silverado: 2500/3500
Strategic Vision said the delight factor for vehicles in each segment was calculated from the responses of more than 95,000 new-vehicle owners who made their purchases between September 2005 and April 2006. They owned their vehicles for at least 90 days, and the primary driver of the vehicle was surveyed, according to executives.
estreka says:
07:58 PM, 01/22/07
A few of those aren't new at all. Their "vision" is incredibly vague, so I don't really know how to take this. Consumer Report's Best Buys are firmly planted in statistics.