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 Appeal
Industry 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)