Slideshow
Most Recommended Cars
Jul 31, 2013
Introduction
A powerful measure of a vehicle's true value could be measured by peer reviews. AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award is an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new car or light truck. The new rankings are out for 2009.
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- Image Credit: Toyota
Introduction
For the second straight year, Cadillac ranks highest among new car owners, taking the Highest Satisfaction Brand honors even with the turmoil surrounding General Motors and the industry as a whole. Overall brand satisfaction ratings among Hyundai purchasers jumped 11 positions earning Hyundai 2009 Rising Star honors.
Click through to see the winners by segment.
Click through to see the winners by segment.
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- Image Credit: Jaguar
Executive Luxury: Jaguar XF
Stepping away from the traditional Jaguar design, the XF is Jaguar's new four-door sports sedan with a fresh, modern look. The XF comes in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Supercharged. All models are powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine paired with a six-speed automatic. Luxury and Premium Luxury models produce 300 horsepower, while the Supercharged model produces 420 horsepower.
- Image Credit: Toyota
Aspirational Luxury: Infiniti G37
For 2009, Infiniti introduces a new G37 folding hardtop convertible and the Infiniti G37 sedan receives the updated 3.7L engine already in the G37 coupe. This is a significant and attractive improvement with more horsepower and a luxurious, quiet ride. New for 2009 is a seven-speed automatic transmission.
- Image Credit: Toyota
Luxury Midsize: Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. The Lexus ES 350 comes as one model, but the buyer can opt for a huge range of equipment by selecting Premium, Premium Plus, Ultra Luxury, Pre-Collision, and Adaptive Cruise options. It has a 272-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and uses front-wheel drive.
- Image Credit: Toyota
Premium Midsize: Toyota Camry
The benchmark Toyota Camry sedan continues its reputation of safety, reliability, and quality while offering fuel efficiency, space, and power. The Camry is a front-wheel drive, five-passenger, four-door sedan featuring four trims: Base, LE, SE, and XLE. The 2010 Toyota Camry receives interior and exterior redesign, a new 2.5-liter engine, and six-speed manual transmission. Vehicle stability control is now standard on all trims.
- Image Credit: Volkswagen
Midsize: Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is the best deal in town if you like the idea of a solid sedan or wagon with European flair. The Jetta line-up has been bolstered with the addition of the new for 2009 SportWagen. All Jettas come standard with many safety features including front side-impact air bags, curtain/head air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability program and traction control.
Image Compact: Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a gas-electric hybrid that sets the standard for environmentally-friendly transportation. This front-wheel drive, five-door liftback delivers comfort, value and a smooth ride, as well as impressive fuel economy and low emissions. The Toyota Prius is completely redesigned for 2010, with fresh exterior and interior styling, more cabin room, and upgraded standard and optional equipment.
- Image Credit: Honda
Economy: Honda Fit
The Honda Fit distinguishes itself from all other subcompacts with agile handling, zippy performance, and impressive practicality. A four-door hatchback, the Fit is amazingly comfortable, given its dimensions, even in the back seats. The Honda Fit offers five-passenger seating and a unique second-row "Magic Seat" that either folds flat with the cargo floor, or flips up to carry tall items behind the first row of seats.
- Image Credit: Chevrolet
Premium Sports Car: Chevy Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is the best high-performance value in America. The Corvette delivers supercar performance for the price of a midsize luxury sedan. The Corvette is a two-seat sports car available as a targa-roof coupe, convertible, or the high-performance Z06 and new ZR1 hardtop coupes. For 2009, the Chevrolet Corvette is a carryover except for the all-new ZR1 model.
- Image Credit: Nissan
Sports Car: Nissan 350Z
Like the original Datsun 240Z, the Nissan 350Z is fast, it's fun, it's affordable, and it's pure sports car. The Nissan 350Z roadster has three trims available: the Enthusiast, the Touring and the Grand Touring. All come standard with the new 306-hp 3.5-liter V6, and a six-speed manual transmission. An all-new model, the 370Z, is now on sale.
- Image Credit: Ford
Sporty Car: Ford Mustang
The Mustang remains one of the most widely recognized, respected and desired nameplates in the automobile business. It may be retro inspired, but the Mustang is a thoroughly modern car. Today's Mustang delivers bold styling, rear-drive performance and affordability that have been Mustang hallmarks for decades.
- Image Credit: Ford
Large Light-Duty Pickup: Ford F-150
The all new 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck delivers outstanding performance with its distinct trim levels, equipment packages and its broad range of cab styles and pickup box configurations. The F-150 trims consist of the rugged and reliable XL, the sporty STX, the versatile and well equipped XLT, the durable FX4 and the luxurious Lariat. Each trim boasts its own unique styling, appearance and capabilities.
- Image Credit: Ford
Compact Pickup: Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a compact pick up that offers a comfortable cab, a refined ride, responsive handling, proven off-road capability, and quality construction. Toyota Tacoma is available in Regular Cab, Access Cab (extended cab) and Double Cab (crew cab) body styles, in either two or four wheel drive. For 2009, the Toyota Tacoma adds traction control, stability control, side impact and curtain airbags, LED taillamps, auxiliary audio input, and mp3 player as standard equipment.
- Image Credit: GMC
Large SUV: GMC Yukon XL
The GMC Yukon XL 1500 has a fresh and comfortable interior. Building on a recent redesign it carries over for 2009 with a sleek body mounted on a strong, stiff frame with power steering, disc brakes, and a touring suspension. Available in 2WD or 4WD and in three trims the Yukon XL 1500 seats up to nine passengers and is rated to tow up to 8100 pounds when properly equipped. The 2009 model is a carryover from 2008.
- Image Credit: Dodge
Premium Midsize SUV: Toyota 4Runner
The 2009 Toyota 4Runner is a mid-size sport utility vehicle that combines true off-road competence with everyday driving comfort, refinement and safety. The 4Runner's three trim levels; SR5, Sport Edition, and Limited, are available in rear- or four-wheel drive. Each trim has a five-speed automatic transmission and either a 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 or a 260-hp 4.7-liter V8. The 2009 4Runner is a carryover from 2008.
- Image Credit: Land Rover
Compact SUV/Off-Road: Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is one of the most fun-to-drive, off-road-capable Jeeps ever made. For open-air driving at the beach or on trail or even the just on the street, the standard soft top can be folded down or the available hard top can be taken off, the doors can be removed and the windshield can be folded down. For 2009, the Sahara receives power windows and power door locks with remote keyless entry as standard equipment.
- Image Credit: Ford
Large Crossover SUV: Ford Flex
The all-new Ford Flex is a full-size crossover vehicle designed with bold styling and functionality to compete in the popular crossover segment. The front-wheel or all-wheel drive Flex includes a 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Class leading seven-passenger seating is standard on all trim levels. The Ford Flex is brand-new for 2009.
Premium Midsize Crossover SUV: Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a five-passenger crossover sport utility that answers the call for a roomy vehicle with utility and style. It isn't a truck. Nor is it a minivan. Yet it's more than a car. All Ford Edge models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 265 horsepower, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. For 2010, a new Limited Interior appearance package will be available.
- Image Credit: Honda
Compact Crossover SUV: Honda Element
The Element is Honda's entry-level crossover sport utility vehicle, designed to appeal to a young and active crowd. The versatile four-passenger Element maximizes space for people and cargo while retaining a relatively compact size and car-like driving characteristics. The Honda Element is completely redesigned for 2009, with exterior and interior styling changes, as well as new standard and optional equipment.
- Image Credit: Toyota
Minivan: Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a roomy and comfortable minivan that does everything well. It is easy to live with and can be loaded with convenient features. The Sienna can be had with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with four available trims; CE (front wheel drive only), LE, XLE, and Limited. The Sienna carries-over from last year with minimal changes.