Lexus RX owners say they want the same exterior styling as now, the same wheels and tires, the same ride and the same handling. The Lexus RX was also AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction winner in the Luxury Crossover SUV category.
The 2010 Luxury Crossover segment winner is the Lexus RX, outscoring strong domestic and import brand competition in the segment. Lexus dominates their segment, with a package owners consistently give high marks to.
This third-generation RX is slightly larger than the previous model giving it a notably larger exterior size and greater interior room; it's no wonder the RX was tops in its class in consumer satisfaction with exterior size, driver's seat comfort and rear seat comfort.
The VSA's measure both importance and satisfaction and the RX performed where it matters most to consumers. Areas of highest importance to consumers in the Luxury Crossover SUV segment are reputation, reliability, durability and driver's seat comfort. The RX scored best in class in each of those attributes, as well as ease of getting in and out and feel of interior fabrics and materials.
A well-deserved class winner.
For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.
Cadillac's owners' cumulative scores for each Cadillac model in AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction research have given Cadillac a win in the race to be best brand overall. Cadillac outpoints Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln and Buick (top Popular Brand). This is Cadillac's seventh win in the past eleven years. Winning so often is testament that Cadillac is selling to buyers who really appreciate their vehicles.
The Cadillac Escalade Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle is the only Cadillac winning its class outright, but the CTS, the STS, the DTS and the SRX scored well enough to move Cadillac into overall leadership.
For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.
LS460 Consistent Winner The Lexus LS460 premium luxury sedan won AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) for its class. The Lexus LS has been a consistent winner in its class winning nine of the eleven possible awards since the 2000 model year.
So, what makes the LS460 outpoint its competition? It rates highest in overall satisfaction with an almost perfect 4.9 rating out of 5.0 rating points. Its quality is also rated 4.9. It scores almost as impressive ratings in ride, durability/reliability and feeling safe while driving. LS also does extremely well in exterior size, ease of getting in and out, seating capacity and driver's seat comfort. Out of 48 attributes, Lexus LS was the winner of thirteen.
These attributes have historically been perceived to be "owned" by European luxury cars, but over the years Lexus has shown that the LS is more than a serious competitor to entries from Europe and winning in nine of the eleven most recent years is testament to Lexus' outstanding quality and reliability. When we mention "Quality" in relation to premium brands Lexus is the brand usually carrying that banner.
For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.
Just as the Lexus RX finished top in the Luxury Crossover SUV segment, so the Lexus RX Hybrid is rated top Hybrid Truck.
How did it win? By earning high satisfaction ratings in those characteristics most important to hybrid truck owners. Attributes where the RX Hybrid scored best in class include: durable/long lasting, overall quality, safety features, environmental friendliness, quietness, reliable/dependable, and exterior styling. The Lexus reputation coupled with well received styling and package size results in a winning combination.
For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.
National Survey Reveals Cadillac as Top Premium Brand, Buick as Top Popular Brand, Ford Motor Company Has Most Awards with Seven, Suzuki Kizashi as Top Car and Lincoln MKT as Top Truck
TUSTIN, Calif. (May 20, 2010) -- AutoPacific today announced its 14th Annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions.
"While the auto industry is showing signs of improvement, more than ever before, manufacturers need to be able to differentiate themselves. Proof of satisfied customers is as good as gold," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "We've found that more than 25% of new car buyers are positively influenced by owner-based awards like the VSA when deciding on a new car or truck."
AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award is an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new car or light truck. This study by the Southern California-based automotive research firm summarizes the results of over 42,000 new vehicle owners.
"Vehicles that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are delivering value and satisfaction across a wide range of attributes," says Peterson. "The winners perform well in 48 separate categories that objectively measure the ownership experience."
Continue reading "Autopacific Announces 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards" »
On sale since August 2009, the Lexus HS 250h was the brand's first dedicated hybrid model. A second, the CT 200h, launches later in 2010 in the compact car space. Being a luxury marque and with a conventional sedan shape prepped to play in the very heart of the car market (mid-size sedans), the HS 250h evolved a 187HP hybrid system from the Camry Hybrid and its 2.4L I4 rather than using that of the smaller Toyota Prius (136HP, 1.8L).
What that means for the HS 250h is a few more ponies under the hood (187HP net power versus 134HP of the Prius), and fuel economy a little less impressive than Pruis's 51/48 city/highway mpg. The HS 250h boasts 35/34 city/highway, though the extra HP is welcome.
Until the 2011 CT 200h arrives, the $36,000 HS 250h is the least expensive Lexus hybrid. No doubt a well-thought-out piece of engineering, the HS 250h incorporates lessons learned from prior Lexus and Toyota hybrids. One example is the exhaust heat recovery system of the RX 450h, which keeps the engine and cabin warmer and allowing for more "stop" time at low speeds. The HS 250h's fuel economy stacks up reasonably well against other conventionally motivated sedans of its size, but not against some current and upcoming hybrid sedans.
Continue reading "On the Road: 2010 Lexus HS 250h Misses the Mark" »
The Toyota recalls over sticking accelerator pedals are causing quite a stir this week, one which has grown in volume, really, over months and years. The fallout may be severe for Toyota, depending on how long it takes to fully resolve the issues and whether or not an additional recall regarding the Prius brake system is also required--voluntary or not. The situation is particularly bad for a company that had built a personality based on reliability and safety. No doubt, they will be taken to task. No doubt, mistakes were made. Also no doubt, the media frenzy is turning an already difficult and serious recall situation into recall fever.
But, while the drama plays out on local and national news, and our hard-working Congresspeople ensure they publicly flog Toyota and get their two cents in and "keep us safe," there are real people with real questions. Toyota has some answers for customers, and we'd like to share them with you.
Follow the jump for Toyota's relatively thorough and clear FAQs, including information on both the accelerator pedal and floor mat recalls, and what to do in an emergency.
Continue reading "Toyota Recall Customer FAQs" »
Luxury and Economy Cars Stand Out in Data from 32,000 Consumers
TUSTIN, Calif. (September 1, 2009) -- Three cars stand above the crowd of 2009 model year vehicles, as judged by owners participating in research firm AutoPacific's annual survey. Of the vehicles that earned honors in AutoPacific's 2009 awards, only the Lexus LS, Lexus ES and Honda Fit topped their segments in each contest: the Vehicle Satisfaction Award, the Ideal Vehicle Award, the Motorist Choice Award (presented jointly with IntelliChoice.com) and Owner Recommendations.
Data collected by AutoPacific from more than 32,000 new vehicle owners rated 2009 vehicles on 48 vehicle attributes related to satisfaction, value, comfort, styling, size, performance, reliability, fuel economy and more. The winning vehicles best met their owner's expectations.
"Winning one award is quite an achievement, and proof an automaker is able to meet its customers' needs," said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. "But winning all four honors in a single year shows that Lexus and Honda are able to provide what their customers want in a reliable, satisfying vehicle; a single car owners are proud to recommend to their friends and family."
Continue reading "Trio Of Cars Make A Clean Sweep Of AutoPacific's 2009 Awards" »
"For 2009, Lexus edged out Jaguar and Porsche to take top-rated brand honors in the Motorist Choice Awards. With remarkable consistency in outpacing the competition along with outstanding overall quality, longevity, and durability scores Lexus has earned its reputation as a top-ranked nameplate." - AutoPacific
"The Lexus brand has a strong history of excelling in ownership costs and 2009 was no exception. Lexus had four BOVY winners and was ranked the best brand value among the luxury brands." - IntelliChoice
"The Lexus ES is back for accolades as it wins a Motorist Choice Award, after 2009 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle, Vehicle Satisfaction, and Owner Recommendation Awards. Lexus ES earns top marks in the Mid-Size Luxury Car Segment by offering a sophisticated blend of luxury and smooth performance. A long-standing reputation as a quality vehicle from a dependable brand only bolstered ratings." - AutoPacific
"The Lexus ES has best-in-segment ownership costs and is second best in retained value and lowest in insurance and repair costs." - IntelliChoice
Owner Satisfaction Highlights
• Vehicle Reputation
• Brand Reputation
• Reliability / Dependability
• Feeling Safe While Driving
• Overall Quality
Cost-of-Ownership Strengths
• Best-in-Segment Ownership Costs
• Strong Retained Value
• Lowest Insurance Costs
• Lowest Repair Costs
"The Lexus LS wins the 2009 Motorist Choice Award for the third straight year. The LS has not been bashful about receiving awards, also taking AutoPacific's Owner Recommendation, Vehicle Satisfaction, and Ideal Vehicle Awards this year. Owners in the Premium Luxury Car segment keep placing the LS at pole position. Lexus comes through by consistently placing the ownership experience at the top of the priority list" - AutoPacific
"The Lexus LS was a 2009 BOVY Winner. The Lexus LS has best-in-segment ownership costs and by far the best retained value in the segment.." - IntelliChoice
Owner Satisfaction Highlights
• Ease of Getting in and Out
• Driver's Seat Comfort
• Image
• Vehicle and Brand Reputation
• Exterior and Interior Styling
• Power and Acceleration
• Reliable / Dependable
• Vehicle's Ride
• Safety Features and Feeling Safe While Driving
Cost-of-Ownership Strengths
• 2009 BOVY Winner
• Best-in-Segment Ownership Costs
• Best Retained Value
"For the second year in a row, the Lexus RX is the Motorist Choice Award winning Luxury Crossover SUV. Not a first choice for serious off-roading, for what its buyers want and need, it is tops in class. It meets or exceeds its daily product requirements, looks good inside and out, and delivers reliable, trouble-free service." - AutoPacific
"The Lexus RX was a 2009 BOVY Winner. The RX has best-in-segment ownership costs and retained value." - IntelliChoice
Owner Satisfaction Highlights
• Overall Quality
• Reliable/Dependable
• Brand and Vehicle Reputation
• Safety Features/Feeling of Safety While Driving
Cost-of-Ownership Strengths
• 2009 BOVY Winner
• Best-in-Segment Ownership Costs
• Best Retained Value
Awards Show Consumers Enjoy Luxury and Size
(August 11, 2009) -- Right brain, left brain; the practical versus the emotional -- an age-old dilemma often at the center of decision making when buying a new car or truck. The 2009 Motorist Choice Awards recognize new cars and trucks that give their owners both economic and emotional satisfaction, helping new-car buyers find vehicles that best satisfy all of their personal-transportation needs. The fourth annual Motorist Choice Awards survey, announced today, scores 196 cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs. With the top overall scores in both owner satisfaction and value, the Lexus LS placed highest of any 2009 model year vehicle.
Large and luxury vehicles dominated this year's results. The top 34 ranked cars, and 106 of the top 107, are large cars, luxury cars, sport utility vehicles, crossover SUVs or minivans. Only one small car, the BMW 1-Series, scored in the top 100, landing in the 35th slot. Toyota Prius is the next-highest-scoring small car, coming in 107th.
Awards are given for top-scoring vehicles scoring in each of twenty-three segments, as well as for the top-scoring brand. Nine manufacturers earned segment wins, led by Toyota with nine awards (including three for Lexus), followed by General Motors with six (Chevrolet 4, Cadillac 2), Honda with three, and Chrysler with two (Dodge 1, Jeep 1). Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen took top honors in one segment each.
(And check out our video on YouTube.)
Continue reading "Motorist Choice Awards Reveal Vehicles That Please Both Hearts And Minds" »
In the battle for attention from car lovers, Lexus always seems to get beat up in the discussion of performance. Regardless of the numbers, Lexus' do not feel like BMWs. And they shouldn't. Certainly, Lexus' newest addition to the IS line will not get any better treatment from "true enthusiasts", but the folks at Lexus has thought this through. The new IS convertible delivers what the segment demands, and beats the competition on key metrics. Aren't those core Lexus Values?
Continue reading "2010 Lexus IS Convertible: Top Down Cruising" »
"Lexus LS' win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for Premium Luxury Cars, combined with its win of the 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award, put the LS in a class of its own," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Lexus LS owners are very satisfied with their vehicles and it is clear that Lexus designed and built a vehicle finely tuned to its target buyers." In a third measure of excellence, the Lexus LS was most highly recommended by its owners in the Premium Luxury Car class. Owners consider the LS as having near ideal:
* Exterior Size
* Level of Technology
* Interior Storage
"Lexus ES' win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award, combined with its win of the 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award, put the Lexus atop the Luxury Mid-Size Car class," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Lexus has designed a car with a clearly defined target that they hit squarely. That the ES has won both AutoPacific's owner awards shows that Lexus ES buyers have purchased a car that is ideal for them." Idyllic qualities include:
* Passenger roominess and ride quality
* Level of technology
* Power and acceleration
The idea of the small supersedan is nothing new, but as of late we've been seeing lots of contenders throwing their hats into the ring. It is generally accepted that BMW started it all with the M3 back in the 1980s, quickly followed by the Mercedes-Benz with the 190E 2.3-16. Audi played too with its own unique twist in the form of the AWD rally-inspired S2 (or, some might argue, some of the hotter Ur-Quattro models that preceded it). For quite some time, this space was the domain of the Germans, and each successive generation of Teutonic supersedan kept getting faster, better handling, and more desirable.
Continue reading "Lexus IS-F: Diagnosis - Split Personality...And All the Better For It" »
Lexus ES wins the Vehicle Satisfaction Award for the Mid-Size Luxury Car segment, collecting high marks for attributes we have come to expect from the Lexus brand. In its fifth generation, ES owners still report solid satisfaction with their vehicles. This is the second year in a row for the Lexus ES to take home a VSA. Of the 48 measurements included in AutoPacific's vehicle satisfaction calculations, the ES won 23 outright.
• Vehicle and brand reputation
• Overall quality, durability, reliability and dependability
• Vehicle's ride along with interior controls with a quality feel/operation
• Feel of fabrics and materials along with top marks for driver's seat comfort
• Anticipated resale value
We all know Lexus products as being paragons of quality and refinement, but many younger enthusiast drivers have long passed over the brand in favor of established performance names like BMW and Audi. No surprise there; Lexus products tend to be amazingly refined and quiet, providing a driving experience akin to manning a hyperbaric chamber. Given Lexus' 20 past years of wresting away market share from the Germans and the fact that they've been the best-selling luxury brand in the US for years, we'd have to say they've got the American luxury buyer licked. The majority of American luxury buyers really do want to waft along in utter silence, and no one does that better than Lexus.
The coveted entry luxury buyer (who represents a long-term opportunity to retain and move up through the brand), however, is younger and often wants a more engaging drive. And to those buyers, the BMW 3-Series has long been the default choice. There's good reason: in addition to looking great and possessing a really aspirational badge, the 3-Series has been generally peerless in terms of handling, steering, and that elusive "feel" that makes the car so wonderful to drive. No pretender, in my opinion, has ever really been able to mix those components into a cocktail quite as tasty as the BMW.
The March 23 Los Angeles Times editorial 'You can depend on Detroit" hits the mark; today's auto industry is a tremendously competitive place. Consumers can now choose cars and trucks from domestic (Detroit) automakers that match the quality and reliability of vehicles from Japanese or European makers. So why won't Americans buy American cars?
Buyers have long memories. In the late '70s through the early '90s American manufacturers dropped the ball in product quality, reliability and customer service. While those problems have largely been corrected, the stark reality is that many people were burned during those years and they will forever be biased against the Detroit Big Three. Parents have influenced their children. Friends have influenced neighbors. Worrisome for the domestic makers, many Americans today have never, never owned an American car. They have no point of reference or familiarity with today's domestic offerings.
During the auto industry bailout testimony by the Detroit Big Three, Senator after Congressman castigated the DB3 management for selling vehicles Americans did not want to buy. Based on AutoPacific research, it is the government officials who are out of touch with today's reality, not the U.S. automakers. In fact, in AutoPacific's most recent research with owners of new cars and trucks, and echoed by other automotive researchers, both General Motors and Ford Motor Company products won more than their fair share of awards for satisfying their customers and developing vehicles ideal for their target customers.
Lexus builds outstanding vehicles supported by a great dealership experience. But its position atop durability studies is not unassailable. Today, American consumers have terrific choices - foreign AND domestic.
AutoPacific: Owners made the Lexus LS the winner of the 2008 Motorist Choice Award® for premium luxury car by providing the LS with top ratings where it counts: Power, braking, handling and being fun to drive. Owners also applauded the ease of getting in and out of the LS, as well as its exterior styling.
IntelliChoice: While the Lexus LS was not the best in either ownership costs or the AutoPacific survey, it took second place in both. The LS has excellent retained value and repair costs.
AutoPacific: Even though the number of competitors in the crossover SUV segment keeps going up, one of the category’s pioneers won the 2008 Motorist Choice Award®. Lexus RX owners claimed victory with high ratings for ingress/egress and reliability. RX also tops the charts in vehicle reputation and overall satisfaction.
IntelliChoice: The Lexus RX was a 2008 BOVY Winner and a 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Award winner. The Lexus RX has best-in-class retained value and much better than expected insurance costs.
AutoPacific: Owners are more comfortable in the driver’s seat of a Lexus ES than in any other vehicle in the segment. This – in addition to highly rated instrumentation, controls and ride – earned ES a 2008 Motorist Choice Award®. Also adding to the victory were high marks for ride and innovative technology and overall experience.
IntelliChoice: The Lexus ES was a 2008 BOVY Winner, a 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Award winner, and it has best-in-class ownership costs. In addition, the Lexus ES has the best-in-class retained value, repairs and insurance costs.
AutoPacific: Call it ‘entry-level luxury’, ‘compact executive’, or ‘aspirational luxury,’ but owners are simply calling it a winner. They rate Lexus’ brand reputation and Lexus dealerships as significant contributors toward the brand’s 2008 Motorist Choice Award® win. With segment-leading overall satisfaction, the Lexus IS scored extremely well with owners in durability, reliability and overall quality. Owners also gave the IS high marks for quality materials, instrumentation, controls and comfy seats.
IntelliChoice: The Lexus IS has the Best in Class ownership costs, best retained value and strong fuel and repair costs.
