See which FCA US LLC vehicles were victorious in the Ideal Vehicle Awards

What defines the ideal vehicle? 

According to AutoPacific, an automotive research and consulting firm, the ideal vehicle measures the fusion between expectation and reality. When a vehicle’s performance matches or exceeds what the customer hoped for, it’s made “ideal” status.  

This made for the primary criteria for AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA). 

“IVAs speak to a vehicle’s layout and design,” says AutoPacific President George Peterson.  

“Giving owners a chance to tell us what they would change and how they would change it reveals which vehicles are designed to meet their needs and expectations. In other words, having owners who are happy with things the way they are says the manufacturer did their upfront research and designed the vehicle with their target buyer in mind.” 

After evaluating responses from 58,000 owners of new vehicles across all major manufacturers, FCA US LLC made a stellar showing in the IVAs, earning top honors in four vehicle segments.  

IVA surveys were made from owners of new model-year cars and trucks purchases from September through December 2017, rating vehicle attributes concerning their desire for change. Award winners represented vehicles where buyers were least likely to want to make an automobile change.  

Jeep® Grand Cherokee 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has made a nice little home for itself at the IVAs.  

This year marked the eighth consecutive time the SUV won the IVA for the Mid-Size SUV segment. Jeep brand has had a remarkable year regarding customer satisfaction, also receiving high marks in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study.  

 

Chrysler 300 

Chrysler 300 made its mark by earning top prize for the Large Car segment.  

With the most powerful V-8 engine in its class, the 300 stands at the top after receiving top-three finishes in both of J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction studies.  

 

Dodge Challenger 

Outside of being a perfect back-to-school ride, the Dodge Challenger was victorious in the IVA Sporty Car segment for the second time in three years.  

This could serve as a great precursor to the brand’s launch of the 2019 lineup, which is set to include the most powerful, quickest and fastest muscle car on the market in the Dodge Challenger SRT® Hellcat Redeye.  

 

FIAT® 500L 

While Chrysler handled the Large Car segment, it was the FIAT 500L that came away with the IVA for the Compact Car segment.  

The award should add to the brand’s reputation for having some of the coolest cars under $35,000. 

Along with awards, the study also provided insight to trends within the automotive industry. Based off vehicle owner responses, info/entertainment technology, interior quietness, power and acceleration, safety features and interior storage were among the most desired areas for change.  

“Overall, the percentage of consumers who want better performance in these areas is about the same today as it was three years ago, and this presents major opportunities for automakers,” says Peterson. 

For full results and insight on the AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards, please visit www.AutoPacific.com/awards.