IRVINE, CA - Autobytel and Autopacific have released the results of their 16th Annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. To compile the results for the awards, both companies survey 75,000 owners of vehicles, from all major automakers, about their current satisfaction level with the new vehicle each individual surveyed owns.

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade received the highest overall satisfaction level, according to Autopacific and Autobytel. The companies named Buick and Mercedes-Benz as the overall winners for the highest satisfaction levels with specific brands. Companies that won multiple awards include General Motors with six awards; Mercedes-Benz with three awards; Volkswagen with four awards; and Honda with three awards.

“In today’s market, it’s difficult to find a low-quality vehicle,” said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “The quality of vehicles from all manufacturers has risen to the highest level in history and what delineates a car or truck is owner satisfaction.”  

Owners of new vehicles rate the vehicle they own on 48 different attributes that measures factors such as river’s seat comfort, power and acceleration, interior styling, exterior styling, cargo space and capacity, the ease of getting in and out, and the level of quietness inside the vehicle.

“With hundreds of 2012 model year vehicles available, consumers need assistance to find a vehicle that’s right for them,” said Autobytel Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey H. Coats. “The 48 vehicle attributes we survey is detailed information that only a vehicle owner can provide, and that most consumers would want to know. Cars that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction survey appear to be delivering the highest value and consumer satisfaction across a wide range of attributes.”  

The list of category winners is shown below.

Category Winners

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Luxury Car - 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Aspirational Luxury Car - 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Luxury Mid-Size Car - 2012 Lincoln MKZ

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Car - 2012 Chrysler 300

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Car - 2012 Volkswagen Passat

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Mid-Size Car - 2012 Subaru Legacy

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Compact Car - 2012 Volkswagen GTI

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Compact Car - 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Economy - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Sports Car - 2012 Chevrolet Corvette

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Sporty Car - 2012 Scion tC

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Hybrid/EV Car - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Light Trucks:

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Heavy Duty Pickup - 2012 Ford F-Series Super Duty

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Light Duty Pickup - 2012 Ford F-150

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Compact Pickup - 2012 Nissan Frontier

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle - 2012 Cadillac Escalade

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Sport Utility Vehicle - 2012 GMC Yukon

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle - 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Luxury Crossover SUV - 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Luxury Crossover SUV - 2012 Cadillac SRX

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Large Crossover SUV - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV - 2012 Honda Pilot

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Mid-Size Crossover SUV - 2012 Honda CR-V

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Compact Crossover SUV - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Minivan - 2012 Honda Odyssey

• Autobytel and AutoPacific Top Rated Hybrid/EV Truck / SUV - 2012 Lexus RX450h Hybrid

Passenger Cars: