TRIO OF CARS MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP OF AUTOPACIFIC’S 2009 AWARDS

Three cars stand above the crowd of 2009 model year vehicles, as judged by owners participating in research firm AutoPacific’s annual survey. Of the vehicles that earned honors in AutoPacific’s 2009 awards, only the Lexus LS, Lexus ES and Honda Fit topped their segments in each contest: the Vehicle Satisfaction Award, the Ideal Vehicle Award, the Motorist Choice Award (presented jointly with IntelliChoice.com) and Owner Recommendations. 

Data collected by AutoPacific from more than 32,000 new vehicle owners rated 2009 vehicles on 48 vehicle attributes related to satisfaction, value, comfort, styling, size, performance, reliability, fuel economy and more. The winning vehicles best met their owner’s expectations. 

“Winning one award is quite an achievement, and proof an automaker is able to meet its customers’ needs,” said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. “But winning all four honors in a single year shows that Lexus and Honda are able to provide what their customers want in a reliable, satisfying vehicle; a single car owners are proud to recommend to their friends and family.”

The 2009 Lexus LS is no stranger to AutoPacific accolades, having won Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) honors nine times before in the Premium Luxury Car segment. LS owners cite its dependability, quality, safety, performance and reliability, while enjoying a brand known for its upscale image and reputation. “Lexus comes through by consistently placing the ownership experience at the top of the priority list,” said Peterson.

Lexus also enjoyed an AutoPacific grand slam with the Lexus ES, which swept the Luxury Mid-size Car segment. The ES’s combination of luxury features, ride quality and reputation for safety and reliability resonates with its owners. “Lexus owners are very satisfied with their vehicles, and it’s clear Lexus designs and builds vehicles finely tuned to its target buyers,” said Peterson. “Lexus’ performance, luxury, safety and dependability truly match its cars’ reputation.” 

Redesigned for the 2009 model year, the Honda Fit dominated the Economy Car segment, torching the competition with top scores for reliability, dependability and value for the money. Owners also cited the Fit’s clever interior, which features an easy-to-read instrument panel, excellent visibility, changeable seating, storage compartments and ease of getting in and out of the car. “Honda’s reputation drew people to the Fit, and the product won them over,” said Peterson. “Good things – in this case reliability, value and quality – come through in this small package from Honda.”

“Car buyers take many factors into consideration – styling, safety features, dependability, fuel economy and more,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “AutoPacific award winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles.”

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm, founded in 1986, also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area. Additional information can be found on AutoPacific’s websites: http://www.autopacific.com and http://news.vehiclevoice.com.