NEWS: Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe Top AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award Categories

With files from Hyundai Canada

The Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe sport utility vehicles each captured top honours in the AutoPacific 2005 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards announced on Sept. 16.

The owners of the all-new 2005 Hyundai Tucson rated it tops in Vehicle Satisfaction for the Compact SUV category. Consumers noted overall quality, interior styling, interior comfort, interior storage, seating capacity, power and acceleration and the Tucson's warranty as strengths of the vehicle.

Other factors strongly contributing to Tucson's winning score were exterior styling, handling, braking, driver's visibility as well as reliability and dependability. Tucson tied with the Honda Element for the top overall score in the compact SUV category. The award adds to Tucson's trophy case, which includes honors from J.D. Power and Associates as the highest-rated all-new vehicle in the 2005 Initial Quality Study.



Santa Fe owners rated it tops in the Standard Mid-Size SUV category for the fourth year since its introduction in 2000 as a 2001 model-year vehicle. Drivers noted overall owner satisfaction, instrumentation, interior comfort, interior materials, price, reliability and dependability, and Hyundai's warranty as strengths of the vehicle. Other factors contributing to Santa Fe's score were anti-theft features, audio system controls, interior styling and seating capacity. Santa Fe tied with the all-new Chevrolet Equinox for the top honors in this category.

The AutoPacific report stated, "The Hyundai Santa Fe continues its string of category-leading performances. Santa Fe has won or tied in its category for four of the five years it has been on the market. This is a testament to Santa Fe's strong combination of product competence, value and warranty. Santa Fe satisfies its owners and continues to help Hyundai build its brand image in the United States."