Cadillac, Lexus score high in satisfaction survey

Cadillac buyers are the most satisfied with their choice of vehicle brand, owners of the Cadillac Escalade are the happiest among truck buyers, and buyers of the Lexus LS sedan are the happiest car owners, according to the latest satisfaction survey from consulting firm AutoPacific.

Also, a growing number of Hyundai buyers are satisfied with their choice, making the Korean brand the fastest-rising in AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Awards rankings.

The rankings are based on responses to surveys sent to 25,000 new-vehicle buyers three months after they take delivery. The survey asks owners to rate the vehicles in 48 categories.

"These are difficult times, with news of automaker bankruptcies, companies restructuring and dealer closures a daily occurrence," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "Clearly, the dynamics surrounding the Vehicle Satisfaction Award in 2009 are far different from anything we've seen in many years. Winners needed to overachieve to earn their awards."

Here are the top-ranked vehicles in their categories in this year's study:

Premium luxury car: Lexus LS

Aspirational luxury car: Hyundai Genesis

Luxury large car: Lincoln Town Car

Luxury midsize car: Lexus ES

Premium midsize car: Hyundai Sonata

Midsize car: Ford Fusion

Image compact car: Toyota Prius

Compact car: Mitsubishi Lancer

Economy car: Honda Fit

Sports car: Porsche 911

Sporty car: Scion tC

Large pickup: Dodge Ram 1500

Compact pickup: Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Luxury SUV: Cadillac Escalade

Large SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe

Premium midsize SUV: Ford Explorer

Midsize SUV: Jeep Liberty

Luxury crossover SUV: Land Rover LR2

Large crossover SUV: Mazda CX-9

Premium midsize crossover SUV: Toyota Venza

Midsize crossover SUV: Volkswagen Tiguan

Compact crossover SUV: Kia Sportage

Minivan:Toyota Sienna

By Dale Jewett