A study released by the automotive consulting firm AutoPacific Inc. summarizes the results of its 2007 model-year vehicle-satisfaction research. AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck. Vehicle satisfaction may be an indicator of what vehicle buyers may buy in the future.

The brand with the highest satisfaction rating is Infiniti. The vehicle registering highest overall satisfaction in 2007 is the Cadillac DTS. The highest rated truck is the 2007 Lincoln MKX, a luxury crossover SUV.

There are 25 Vehicle Satisfaction Award categories. At the manufacturer level, multiple award winners include: General Motors and Toyota—six categories; Ford—five categories; Nissan and Hyundai—three categories; and Honda—two categories.

“Infiniti wins the Vehicle Satisfaction Award as the top brand in the closest race in years. Strong satisfaction performance by Infiniti cars and trucks has it winning over strong performances by Lincoln, Cadillac, Lexus and other luxury marques,” says AutoPacific President George Peterson. “The dual wins by Ford Motor Company’s new Crossover SUVs—the Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge—shows it was on target when developing these important new vehicles.”

Peterson continues, “The Cadillac DTS is the highest-rated car and vehicle overall. The Hyundai Santa Fe was the first Korean vehicle to win AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award—in 2001—and continues its strong performance for the sixth year in a row. Winning an AutoPacific VSA is testament for any vehicle that their owners are confident that they have made the right choice.”

Source: AutoPacific. (June 12, 2007). “AutoPacific Announces 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.” AutoPacific press release courtesy of PR Newswire.