PEOPLE PLEASERS
The 21 new vehicles that make their owners happiest — and some might surprise you
Hyundai’s upstart Genesis brand has beaten old-money rivals such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi in a wide-ranging U.S. study of how happy owners are with their new vehicles. And Cadillac and Lincoln topped Lexus and Jaguar in the same study of 70,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2017 modelyear vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership.
J.D. Power’s 2017 APEAL study asked purchasers how gratifying their new vehicle was to them, taking into account 77 attributes ranging from performance to execution to layout. Porsche, as it has for 13 consecutive years, ranked highest among brands, ahead of the No. 2 marque, Genesis, while Mini scored best in the non-luxury category. Chrysler ranked as the most improved brand.
“Many automakers are getting better and better at giving consumers what they want in a vehicle,” said Dave Sargent, vice-president, global automotive at J.D. Power. “One clear reason is that nonpremium vehicles are increasingly offering technology and safety features found in premium vehicles.”
According to J.D. Power, these were the highest-ranked vehicles by segment.
Small car — Chevrolet Bolt: The electric Chevrolet Bolt, which currently has a long wait list in Canada, sets benchmarks for affordable, long-range EV driving, with a propulsion system offering more than 380 kilometres of range. Prices start at $42,800 before rebates. Runners up: Chevrolet Sonic and Toyota Yaris
Small premium car — Audi A3, BMW 2 Series (tie): It’s no surprise the Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series tied: both are extremely competent and fun to drive. The 2-Series, either as a 230i or M240i, delivers great performance. And the A3, refreshed for 2017, comes in four models: A3 sedan, A3 cabriolet, S3 sedan and the e-tron Sportback plug-in hybrid. Runner up: BMW i3
Compact car — Mini Cooper Clubman: Starting at $27,490, the second-generation Mini Cooper Clubman gets larger dimensions and two real doors for rear-seat passengers. An all-wheel-drive system is available for base and S models. Runners up: Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta
Compact sports car — Mini Cooper: Longer, wider and higher than its predecessor, the third-generation Mini Cooper gets a 134-horsepower, 1.5-litre turbocharged threecylinder engine. Meanwhile, the Cooper S comes with a 2.0-L turbo four-cylinder, with 189 hp and 207 pound-feet of torque. Runner up: None
Compact premium car — Audi A4: A thorough refresh saw the 2017 Audi A4 sport sedan move to a new, longer platform shared with the Q7 crossover. The four-door is offered in Komfort, Progressiv and Technik trims. Runners up: Infiniti Q60 and BMW 4 Series
Mid-size car — Nissan Altima: Unchanged from the 2016 model, the Nissan Altima is a favourite of the rental fleet and for good reason: it does most things very well. Starting at $23,998, the Altima also comes in an array of models to meet a range of budgets. Runners up: Honda Accord and Kia Optima
Mid-size sports car — Dodge Challenger: A range of colours, a range of engines — from fuel saving to monstrously powerful — and a wide variety of trims set the Dodge Challenger apart, with unmistakable styling that still looks fresh even though the basic design is years old. Runner up: Chevrolet Camaro Mid-size premium car — Audi A7, Lincoln Continental (tie): When Ford builds a luxury car that’s good enough to tie Audi, the longtime segment leader, we know times have changed. Only available with AWD in Canada, the new Lincoln Continental gets a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine that produces 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Audi A7 gets a supercharged 3.0-L V6 with 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Runner up: Volvo S90
Mid-size premium — Porsche 911: The venerable Porsche 911, a car that’s been loved since the first model in 1964, repeats its victory in this study for the 13th year running. And why not? It truly is a driver’s car in every way, answering the call for quality, durability, performance and luxury at a price that’s far below other cars of comparable pedigree. Runner up: None
Large car — Kia Cadenza: The second-generation 2017 Kia Cadenza brings higher levels of luxury, technology and convenience, along with a bolder design to go with a revised 3.3-L V6 that’s good for 290 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. Runners up: Nissan Maxima and Dodge Charger
Small SUV — Kia Niro: Not quite an SUV and not quite a hatchback, the Kia Niro hybrid crossover starts at just under $25,000 in Canada. Power comes from a 1.6-L directinjected four-cylinder engine teamed with an electric motor and a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery, for a total of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Runners up: Buick Encore and Kia Sportage.
Small premium SUV — BMW X1: Starting at $40,300 in Canada, the BMW X1 xDrive 28i comes with standard AWD. A new 228-hp, 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 258 lb-ft of torque is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Runner up: Range Rover Evoque
Compact SUV — Honda CR-V: All new for 2017, Honda’s CR-V gained a much improved interior and styling to become Canada’s secondmost popular small SUV, behind the Toyota RAV4. New for 2017 is an optional turbocharged engine.
Runners up: Nissan Rogue and Buick Envision
Compact premium SUV — Porsche Macan: Based on the Audi Q5 platform, the Porsche Macan is available in base form for $54,100, and with a four-cylinder engine or the mightier Macan S, GTS or Turbo, with six-cylinder power. All-wheel drive and Porsche’s PDK doubleclutch transmission are standard. Runners up: Mercedes-Benz GLCClass and BMW X3.
Mid-size SUV — Nissan Murano: Unique styling helps set the Nissan Murano apart, even though it has received few changes since 2015, apart from some interior and technology enhancements. Power comes from a 260-hp, 3.5L V6 connected to a continuously variable transmission feeding the front wheels or an intuitive allwheel-drive setup. Runners up: Dodge Durango and Subaru Outback
Mid-size premium SUV — Porsche Cayenne: The third Porsche to take a top spot in the study, the Cayenne comes in no fewer than eight configurations, from the base model at $69,600 to the Turbo S at $182,600. Runners up: Audi Q7, BMW X5
Mid-size pickup — Honda Ridgeline: New for 2017, the second-generation Honda Ridgeline gains far better styling, along with higher levels of performance, cargo hauling and towing capability than before (up to 2,268 kg, or 5,000 lbs). Runners up: GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado
Minivan — Chrysler Pacifica: New from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Chrysler Pacifica delivers a decent ride, enormous space and a quiet, comfortable interior. A hybrid version — the first for a minivan — is also available.
Runners up: None
Large SUV — Chevrolet Tahoe: Able to tow an impressive 3,900 kg, Chevrolet’s Tahoe was new in 2015 and has received several technology enhancements since, including 4G Wi-Fi connectivity. All Tahoes get a smooth-ride suspension system, while top-tier LTZ models include GM’s Magnetic Ride Control.
Runner up: GMC Yukon
Large premium SUV — Cadillac Escalade: Like the Tahoe on which it is based, the Cadillac Escalade was also new in 2015. The fourthgeneration truck received a more luxurious cabin, higher level of fit and finish, and active noise cancellation. Runners-up: Infiniti QX80 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Many automakers are getting better and better at giving consumers what they want in a vehicle.
Large light duty pickup — Ford F-150: The Ford F-150, Canada’s favourite truck and best-selling vehicle overall, won the hearts of buyers with an aluminum body, smart interior and a range of engines, including two turbocharged V6 options, one a 2.7-L, the other a 3.5-L now with 470 lb-ft of torque. Runners up: Nissan Titan and Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra