Love your car? That’s what researchers asked 44,000 new car owners and we have the results. What follows are the top 7 cars that car owners love the most.
Strategic Vision, ones of those research companies you see referenced in new car TV ads contacted recent purchasers of new cars in September and released the result this month. They divided all new car models into 28 categories and provided a winner in each category. We’ve taken the top 7 top scores across the board because, well, who wants to read through descriptions of 28 cars (the full list is on the last page).
The company also determined the “most loved” car company and believe it or not it’s Volkswagen. they may or may not rank the same today, who knows, but it shows you just how fast things can change.
Seven. Mini Cooper Hardtop – Specialty Coupe
The base Mini Cooper took 7th place and was the most-loved car in the Specialty Coupe. If the latest Coopers look a bit bigger to you, you’re correct as BMW has shifted the cheeky no longer so little car over to its ULK platform, gaining a few hundred unneeded pounds in the process. To compensate, BMWs new three cylinder 1.5 L turbo that produces 134 hp and keeps performance peppy – 0 to 60 in 7.3 seconds. What most likely appeals to the Cooper owner is that the car remains distinctive in a world of wind-tunnel shaped compact cars, that there’s still a fair degree of attitude in the interior layout, and the feeling of belonging to an exclusive club.
Six. Mercedes S-Class – Luxury Car
This survey could have been run any time over the last in the last 30 years, and the winner of the Luxury Car segment would be the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It’s been referred to as the best-selling luxury car in the world, and that’s an easy statement to believe. Perhaps no other car in automotive history has brought as many advancements – particularly in the safety arena – to market. Yes, it’s expensive to buy and expensive to maintain. But when you purchase an S-Class you know you’re getting a finely-crafted automobile from the very first manufacturer of motor cars.
Five. Ford Mustang Convertible – Standard Convertible
Whenever I’m in Northern California, and it’s cold and foggy (which could be any day of the year) I see young couples in their Mustang Convertible rental cars heading down Highway 1 with the top down, wearing jackets, hats, gloves, anything to keep warm. They came from across the country with the dream of driving down the coast in an open Mustang Convertible and that’s what they’re going to do – regardless. And that sums up the Mustang Convertible. It’s fun and it’s freedom, whether it’s a base model or a GT. Why wouldn’t you love it?
Four. Mercedes CLA-Class – Near-Luxury Car
Mercedes-Benz entry level sedan takes 4th place overall and first in the Near-Luxury Car category. I’m not sure how they decided the CLA 250 is “near luxury” because in pretty much anyone’s book, it’s a luxury car. Make that a luxury car that starts at $32K (maybe it’s a near luxury price point). It’s not a car that will accelerate from the light leaving your face behind, but the advanced 208 hp turbocharged four cylinder has some very clever technology behind it. So for the price of a loaded Fusion or Accord, you could own a Mercedes. It’s not as large, granted, but no one has ever oo’d and ah’d over a Fusion.
Three. Corvette Coupe – Premium Coupe; Two. Corvette Convertible – Premium Convertible
No one reading articles on this website need the praises of the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette sung to them. A model that twice was nearly discontinued has risen to reach near supercar status, and not just in the US but globally. Where in the ’70s a Corvette might be viewed as the four-wheeled equivalent of a gold chain and an almost mandatory part of a mid-life crisis, today it’s a reward for a job well done. And despite the fact that reliability remains a bit of an issue, owners of Corvettes love their Corvettes, pure and simple.
One. Porsche Macan – Luxury CUV
The Porsche Macan is both the overall winner as well as the most-loved Luxury CUV. Surprising but perhaps it shouldn’t be. Those of us who follow cars know that the Macan is a Porsche remake of Audi Q5. Using about 70% of the Audi’s parts allows Porsche to create its own four-door, all-wheel-drive, five-passenger compact SUV. There are two versions S and Turbo, though both are turbocharged with 7-speed automatics. The Macan has been criticized for its small rear seat, poorly integrated infotainment system, poor fuel economy, and less cargo space than its competitors (that sloping rear deck). Perhaps what matters most to a Macan owner is less about what’s inside the Macan as it is about what logo is glued to the rear hatch – the purchaser loves the fact he or she can drive a Porsche.
Complete List of Most Loved Cars & Trucks
Micro Car Fiat 500 Hatchback
Small Car Mazda3 Sedan
Small Multi-Function Car Kia Soul
Small APT Car Fiat 500e
Mid-Size Car Subaru WRX
Mid-Size Multi-Function Car Subaru Outback
Mid-Size APT Car Toyota Prius / Toyota Camry Hybrid
Full-Size Car Dodge Charger
Near-Luxury Car Mercedes CLA-Class
Near-Luxury APT Car BMW i3
Luxury Car Mercedes S-Class Sedan
Luxury Multi-Function Car BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo
Specialty Coupe MINI Cooper Hardtop
Premium Coupe Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Standard Convertible Ford Mustang Convertible
Premium Convertible/Roadster Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Standard Pickup Chevrolet Colorado
Full-Size Pickup Nissan Titan
Heavy Duty Pickup GMC Sierra 2500/3500
Entry SUV Jeep Renegade
Entry CUV Hyundai Tucson
Mid-Size SUV Dodge Durango
Mid-Size CUV Ford Flex
Full-Size Utility GMC Yukon XL
Near-Luxury Utility Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 5-Door
Luxury SUV Infiniti QX80
Luxury CUV Porsche Macan
Minivan Kia Sedona