Critical Redesigned Models Perform Well in Consumer Appeal
15 September 1999
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Redesigned Models Critical to Manufacturers Perform Well in Consumer AppealIndustry Faces Challenges to Launch Vehicles AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Sept. 15 / -- Volkswagen, General Motors and Toyota (including its Lexus Division) have the greatest number of new vehicle models that consumers consider to be "most appealing," according to the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Automotive Performance, Execution And Layout (APEAL) Study(SM) released today. The study is based on responses from nearly 88,000 new-vehicle owners and measures what excites and delights owners (or "things gone right") with their new-vehicle's features and design. Volkswagen's Jetta, GTI, Passat and Beetle rank highest in their individual car segments, while the BMW 3 Series and 7 Series capture the entry luxury and premium luxury segments, respectively. The Chevrolet Corvette tops the premium sports car segment. Among trucks, Toyota, Lexus and Honda models sweep the popular SUV segments. The Honda CR-V captures the mini-SUV segment, while the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser top the compact and full-size SUV segments, respectively. The Lexus LX 470 ranks highest among luxury SUVs. General Motors' new truck entries, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, capture the top two positions in the high-volume, full-size pickup segment. The GMC Savana ranks highest among full-size vans. In addition, the Dodge Dakota continues its dominance in the compact pickup segment, ranking highest for the third year in a row. The newly redesigned Honda Odyssey is the top performer in the compact van segment. "Although new and redesigned vehicles tend to stand out from other models, our trend data shows that this phenomenon is decreasing," said Jacques daCosta, senior manager of product research at J.D. Power and Associates. "Successful new model launches will be those that attract consumers with a balance of innovative styling, new technologies, vehicle performance, and interior and safety features." The 1999 APEAL study comprises eight specific areas of vehicle performance and design, including more than 100 attributes that uncover what consumers like and dislike about their new vehicles. These areas include Vehicle Styling; Engine and Powertrain; Comfort and Convenience; Ride and Handling; Seats; Heating, Cooling and Ventilation; Cockpit and Instrument Panel; and Sound System. Headquartered in Agoura Hills, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on actual customer responses from more than one million consumers annually. Top Three Models in 15 Major Categories Compact Most Appealing: VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Volkswagen Golf Plymouth Neon (2000) Entry Midsize Most Appealing: VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Pontiac Grand Am Daewoo Leganza Premium Midsize Most Appealing: VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Pontiac Grand Prix Toyota Avalon Sporty Car Most Appealing: VOLKSWAGEN GTI Honda Prelude Pontiac Firebird Premium Sports Car Most Appealing: CHEVROLET CORVETTE Porsche 911 Porsche Boxster Entry Luxury Most Appealing: BMW 3 SERIES Saab 9-5 Chrysler 300M Premium Luxury Most Appealing: BMW 7 SERIES Lexus LS 400 BMW 5 Series Compact Pickup Most Appealing: DODGE DAKOTA Toyota Tacoma GMC Sonoma Full-size Pickup Most Appealing: CHEVROLET SILVERADO GMC Sierra Ford F-250 Super Duty Mini SUV Most Appealing: HONDA CR-V Toyota RAV4 Subaru Forester Compact SUV Most Appealing: TOYOTA 4RUNNER Dodge Durango GMC Envoy Full-size SUV Most Appealing: TOYOTA LAND CRUISER GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Ford Expedition Luxury SUV Most Appealing: LEXUS LX 470 Lexus RX 300 Land Rover Range Rover Compact Van Most Appealing: HONDA ODYSSEY Toyota Sienna Pontiac Montana Full-size Van Most Appealing: GMC SAVANA Chevrolet Express Ford Econoline Source: J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout -- APEAL Study(SM) J.D. Power and Associates 1999 APEAL Study(SM) America's Most Appealing Cars Segment and Award Recipient Highest Rated Features Most Appealing Compact Car: -- Unique styling Volkswagen Beetle -- Driver's headroom -- Overall styling Most Appealing Entry Mid-Size Car: -- Illumination of instrument Volkswagen Jetta controls -- Driver's visibility -- Rear styling Most Appealing Premium Mid-Size Car: -- Illumination of instrument Volkswagen Passat controls -- Driver's headroom -- Unique styling Most Appealing Sporty Car: -- Driver's visibility Volkswagen GTI -- Comfortable driving position -- Driver's headroom Most Appealing Premium Sports Car: -- Storage Space Chevrolet Corvette -- Driving Range -- Driver's Comfort Most Appealing Entry Luxury Car: -- Convenience of cupholders BMW 3 Series -- Front styling -- Smooth engine performance Most Appealing Premium Luxury Car: -- Rear passenger space and BMW 7 Series comfort -- Driver's visibility -- Sound system controls Source: J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Automotive Performance, Execution And Layout (APEAL) Study(SM) J.D. Power and Associates 1999 APEAL Study(SM) America's Most Appealing Trucks Segment and Award Recipient Highest Rated Features Most Appealing Compact Pickup: -- Convenience of cupholders Dodge Dakota -- Storage Space -- Convenience of controls Most Appealing Full-Size Pickup: -- Rear passenger space and Chevrolet Silverado comfort -- Fuel economy and driving range -- Engine performance Most Appealing Mini Sport Utility: -- Rear passenger space and Honda CR-V comfort -- Convenience of cupholders -- Useful cargo space Most Appealing Compact Sport Utility: -- Smoothness of transmission Toyota 4Runner shifts -- Rear passenger space -- Smooth, quiet engine performance Most Appealing Full-Size Sport Utility: -- Smooth, quiet engine Toyota Land Cruiser performance -- Ride quietness -- Handling stability Most Appealing Luxury Sport Utility: -- Smooth engine performance Lexus LX 470 -- 2WD/4WD ride and handling -- Quietness during highway driving Most Appealing Compact Van: -- Versatility of 2nd and 3rd row Honda Odyssey seats -- Useful cargo space -- Smooth, powerful engine Most Appealing Full-Size Van: -- Storage space GMC Savana -- Comfort of 3rd row seats -- Effectiveness of rear air conditioning Source: J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Automotive Performance, Execution And Layout (APEAL) Study(SM)