Cars and Drivers

GM and Tesla Win Top Auto Awards

Paul Ausick

Published: July 22, 2016 7:40 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 5:26 am

In a new owner satisfaction ranking of 2016 model year vehicles announced Thursday, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) placed seven vehicles at the top of their respective segments, more than any other auto manufacturer, to take the award as the most satisfying popular brand. In the 2015 rankings GM had five top-ranked vehicles, again, the most of any carmaker and last year’s top brand.

The ratings come from AutoPacific, a California-based automotive and product-consulting firm that surveys new car owners, asking them to rate their new cars in 15 categories, including ride and handling, interior storage, safety features, power and acceleration, and technology. The survey received more than 65,000 responses, and AutoPacific names “Ideal Vehicle Award” winners in 23 different light-vehicle segments.

While the survey indicates that consumers are mostly getting what they want from automakers, more than a quarter (29%) would welcome more storage space, and 27% want more or better technology. Some 17% want technology that is easier to use.

The highest satisfaction rating for a premium brand went to Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) for its Model S sedan. The overall most satisfying vehicle, however, was the Volvo XC70. Volvo has been owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group since 2010, when it acquired the brand from Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) for $1.8 billion.

GM’s winners were the Chevrolet Corvette (Sports Cars), the Chevy Colorado (Compact Pickup), the GMC Yukon/Yukon XL (Large SUV), the GMC Acadia (Large Crossover SUV), the Chevy Volt (Premium Compact Car), the GMC Sierra (Light Duty Pickup) and the Cadillac Escalade (Luxury SUV).

Ford garnered the top spot in two segments: Ford F-Series Super Duty (Heavy Duty Pickup) and Lincoln MKZ (Luxury Mid-Size).

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU) also took top honors in two segments with its Dodge Challenger (Sporty Car) and Jeep Grand Cherokee (Mid-Size SUV). The Grand Cherokee won its class for the sixth consecutive year.

In the Premium Luxury Crossover SUV segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe took the top spot. The BMW X3 was the top Luxury Crossover SUV and the Volkswagen Golf was the top Compact Car.

Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) did not have a top-rated vehicle in any category, while Japan’s Subaru took the top spot in three: the Outback was the top-ranked Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV, the Forester was the top Mid-Size Crossover SUV and the Crosstrek was the top Compact Crossover SUV.