Korean cars make first appearance on Consumer Reports’ most satisfying list

Japanese vehicles continue their domination over domestic and European brands in Consumer Reports’ Annual Car Owner Satisfaction Survey.

And South Korea’s Hyundai had two models – including the Santa Fe, which is made in Alabama – make the list for the first time.

Of the 39 models that made the publication’s list, 18 had Japanese nameplates – 10 of which were built by Toyota.

For the fourth straight year, the Toyota Prius hybrid was identified by respondents as the most satisfying of any vehicle, with 92 percent of Prius owners indicating they would definitely buy one again. Following closely were the BMW 335i coupe/convertible and Porsche Boxster.

European models accounted for 12 cars on the list – a slight increase from last year. Domestic models remained steady at seven. Also, for the first time, two South Korean models – the Hyundai Azera and Hyundai Santa Fe made the list.

Among the least satisfying cars, domestics accounted for 20 of the 22 in the lineup, 15 of which are from General Motors. These included the least satisfying vehicles to own, the Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander and Saturn Relay minivans, with only 34 percent of respondents reporting they would definitely buy or lease one again.

Consumer Reports’ most satisfying vehicles are those for which at least 80 percent of owners say they would definitely buy or lease the vehicle again. The magazine’s least satisfying vehicles are those for which less than 50 percent of owners say they would do so.

Birmingham Business Journal – December 10, 2007
© 2007 American City Business Journals, Inc.