2016 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards

According to Autopacific, "An ideal vehicle is one that meets owner's expectations for the product when they acquired it."

In other words, if you're completely satisfied with the car you're currently driving and don't see any reason to replace it, you've got your ideal vehicle. If that's you, congratulations! If not, the team from Autopacific compiled a list of the vehicles owners are most satisfied with. Click on the image above to get started.

Tesla has had a bit of a rough time lately. Most recently it has been dealing with a fatal Autopilot-related crash, and earlier Consumer Reports dropped the Model S from the recommended list due to quality issues. So it should come as welcome news to the company that not only did the Model S take AutoPacific’s Most Ideal Luxury car award, but the company took Most Ideal Brand as well.

Proving that being old doesn’t mean you can’t still win over people is the Volvo XC70. This mainstay of the Volvo line-up has been around for quite some time. In fact, the last full road test we performed on it was back in 2008. However, it seems to have really struck a chord with the owners AutoPacific surveyed for this award.

Like most traditional Volvo wagons, the XC70 is very practical. At its core, it’s a Volvo S80 wagon with more ground clearance and gray plastic bumpers and cladding for a more off-road ready look. In our last review, we commended it for a comfortable ride and pleasant interior. But there are far better and more modern alternatives today, such as the Subaru Outback. For some people, though, nothing will beat a Volvo wagon.

The large car segment is one that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as more mainstream segments like midsize cars get larger. But there are still a number of players in the large car arena, and Hyundai’s Azera edged out veterans like the Chevy Impala and Toyota Avalon for AutoPacific’s award.

This may be one of the biggest surprises on this list. The Ford Fusion-based MKZ has a number of positives behind it. But we would have a hard time recommending it over the many more impressive midsize luxury cars on the market, even if another car means spending more money.

It does have a few highlights though. Distinctive exterior styling and a low price are among them. And for people that need more oomph in their life, the MKZ will offer a 400 horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 soon.

Kia may not have the same brand recognition as other automakers on the road, but when Autoblog got behind the wheel of the latest Optima, we had nothing but good things to say. Therefore, it shouldn't be a surprise to see the Optima as AutoPacific's winner in the popular midsize segment. 

The latest generation of the Optima combines Kia's unique exterior styling with the automaker's class-leading interior. The SX Limited model that we drove was powered by a punchy 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Where the Optima really shines, though, is on the inside, which features soft touches, high-quality leather, and high-tech equipment. When considering the entire vehicle, the Optima is a tough car to beat.

With better fuel efficiency, improved electric range, and a improved interior, the new Chevrolet Volt is the perfect vehicle for those looking to wade into the electric car segment. When Autoblog got a hold of the new Volt, we liked its overall range, stylish exterior, and striking exterior.

Unlike other electric vehicles, the Volt has an on-board generator that eliminates the dreaded range anxiety in other cars in the segment. Not only is the Volt cheaper than its rivals, it's also more comfortable and better looking. The new Volt is completely different than the previous model, which makes it an all-around winner in a segment that used to require drivers to compromise. 

Since its inception, the Volkswagen Golf has always been the class leader in the compact car segment and there's a simple reason as to why: it's great at everything. Autoblog called the seventh generation of the Golf a delightful car that's full of surprises. The fact that the Golf was named AutoPacific's winner in the compact car is unsurprising, though. 

The latest Golf has not only grown up visually, but also internally with a spacious interior that beats its rivals for cargo capacity. Soft-touch materials and eye-catching trim gives the Golf's interior a grownup look, while the new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is both fuel efficient and entertaining. It's still the same Golf that everyone loves, but in a prettier, more mature way.