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Tesla Model S tops Consumer Reports annual satisfaction ratings [w/video]

2012 Tesla Model S
2012 Tesla Model S
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Despite all the bad recent publicity for Tesla, it would appear that its Model S customers remain the happiest of any automaker – or at the very least, they're just likely to respond as such in satisfaction surveys. For its just-released annual owner satisfaction report, Consumer Reports surveyed more than 600 Model S owners, which resulted in the all-electric hatchback receiving a top score of 99 out of 100.

These results come from surveys that are sent out to current vehicle owners asking them "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?" and the scores are assessed based on how many respondents answer "definitely yes." The Tesla's impressive 99-percent satisfaction rates the highest among all of this year's responses, with the Porsche Boxster was a close second with 95 percent. Other class-leading standouts include the Subaru Forester, Mazda6, Volkswagen Golf TDI and Dodge Charger, which were each the top vehicle in their respective classes with 85-percent satisfaction rates.

The full press release is posted below along with a video detailing the institute's findings.

The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.



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TESLA MODEL S TAKES THE TOP SPOT IN CONSUMER REPORTS CAR OWNER-SATISFACTION RATINGS

Audi A6, Mazda6, Dodge Charger V8, Volkswagen Golf TDI top their categories

YONKERS, NY- YONKERS, N.Y.-Consumer Reports annual owner satisfaction survey generally finds the cars that inspire the strongest consumer loyalty are typically vehicles that are either fun to drive, deliver great fuel economy, are fashionably green, or envelop owners in a high-tech, luxurious driving environment. This year, the Tesla Model S all-electric luxury sports sedan, which provides a combination of all of those attributes, tops the ratings.

Owners of the Tesla Model S gave it the highest owner-satisfaction score Consumer Reports has seen in years: 99 out of 100. While the $89,650 Model S isn't for everyone, CR collected more than 600 survey responses from owners of 2012 and 2013 models. Moreover, its owner-satisfaction score matches the near-perfect 99 overall test score the Model S earned in Consumer Reports' performance ratings.

"In testing, the Model S stands out for its innovative design, outstanding performance, and surprising practicality. These results suggest Tesla owners are very, very satisfied," said Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports' director of automotive testing.

Consumer Reports' annual owner-satisfaction survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, generates ratings by asking subscribers a key, revealing question, "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?" A model's score is based on the percentage of respondents who answered "definitely yes." This year, Consumer Reports received responses on about 350,000 vehicles and more than 285 models and variants spanning the 2011 through 2014 model years

Other models that topped their categories in Consumer Reports' latest owner-satisfaction ratings are the Porsche Boxster sports car (which was second overall), Audi A6 luxury sedan, Mazda6 midsized sedan, Subaru Forester SUV, Dodge Charger (V8) large sedan, and the diesel-powered Volkswagen Golf TDI compact car.

Luxury and high-performance cars tend to do well in CR's owner-satisfaction ratings, and Audi had more high-scorers than any other luxury brand. But models without a prestige brand or a sporty focus also made a mark. The redesigned Mazda6 and Subaru Forester, for example, are moderately priced, mainstream vehicles that outscored all models from BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz.

"Novelty can play a big role in launching a car into the top ranks, which isn't surprising because brand-new designs can generate a lot of excitement. But enthusiasm can wane quickly if a car turns out to be not very special," said Anita Lam, Consumer Reports automotive data program manager.

That's the case with the Toyota Prius C hybrid, a smaller version of the regular Prius. It garnered one of the highest scores in its 2012 debut year but dropped a significant 10 points this time around. Other cars that faded significantly in their owners' estimation were the Chrysler 200, Hyundai Sonata, and Subaru Impreza hatchback.

In past years, CR's survey showed that"green" fuel efficient cars, including electrics, hybrids, and fuel-sipping diesels, have also done well as a class in owner satisfaction, even though they aren't known for outstanding comfort or engaging performance. Especially notable is the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, which finished first in 2011 and 2012 surveys. It slipped to third this time, but its score of 91 was only one point lower than last year's. Volt owners continue to love the car about as much now as three years ago, suggesting that the Volt has some staying power beyond its novelty.

Other perennial favorites that pleased their owners year-in and year-out include the BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang (V8), Jeep Wrangler, Lexus LS, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Porsche 911, and Toyota Prius. Year-in and year-out, these models almost always rank among the best.

At the other end of the spectrum was the subcompact Nissan Versa sedan which garnered the lowest score for the second year running. Only 45 percent of its owners said they would definitely get the bargain-priced sedan again. Other models that didn't generate much enthusiasm in their categories are the Nissan Rogue and Jeep Compass small SUVs, Acura ILX compact luxury sedan, Kia Optima Hybrid, four-cylinder Chrysler 200, Kia Sedona minivan, and Nissan Armada large SUV.

Complete car owner satisfaction scores and ratings tables appear on www.consumerreports.org, today, and in the January issue of Consumer Reports, on newsstands December 3. Updated daily, ConsumerReports.org is the go-to Website for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs on breaking news, and car-buying information. Check out CR's ongoing Twitter feed at @CRCars.

Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, Website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

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