FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — The Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle is the top-rated vehicle in the Compact SUV Segment in AutoPacific's 2001 Vehicle Satisfaction Index. "This is the first time a Korean brand vehicle has lead in a satisfaction category and is a testament to the excellent progress Hyundai is making in product development," said George Peterson, founder and president of AutoPacific.
"Hyundai's other products have improved as well," Peterson added. "Hyundai is rated ahead of brands like Porsche, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and has moved up substantially in the ratings. Hyundai Santa Fe is another one of those very pleasant surprises. It's larger, more refined and more accommodating than you think and a real credit to a brand that has worked hard to meet the specific needs and requirements of the U.S. market. It isn't a matter of the Koreans are coming; they are already here big-time. Hyundai products are all moving up in AutoPacific's ratings," he said.
"We are proud that the Hyundai Santa Fe has won the Compact Sport Utility category in the AutoPacific VSS study," said Finbarr O'Neill, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "This is a great product. It is really making people standup and take a look at Hyundai. Consumers are responding to the combination of quality, value and America's Best Warranty on the Santa Fe."
The VSS ratings record customer satisfaction with vehicles overall, as well as with some 50 features important to a vehicle's operation, comfort and safety. More than 34,000 owners of new 2001 vehicles acquired September-November 2000 were surveyed for the study. In addition to establishing segment winners, VSS also establishes numerical ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market.
