Auto Trends

Taking to the streets in your new compact or luxury sedan is one thing, but what about off the streets in a new pickup or mid-sized SUV. Which work vehicles and family haulers have taken center stage for consumers so far for 2008? Alan Dean and Vince Bucciachio from BrandIntel.com offer their insight through their 2008 Consumer Voice Awards.

For the Large Pickup Truck Segment, the Overall Bread-Winner is the — Nissan Titan

Consumer Comments: Most consumers are commenting, “The Titan’s 5.6 liter, 317 horsepower, V8 engine provides ample and responsive power.” But with size comes more gas, so there is also a fair amount of complaints that the Titan uses too much gas (12 mpg city/17 highway). But so do most of the other large pickups in this class, so they are far from being alone.

The one aspect that they could stand to listen to consumers and experts about is offering a diesel engine. But even with this handicap, the Titan is by far and away the most highly praised truck for 2008.

Share of Consumer Discussion — 15%

Sentiment — Very High

Consumers Like — The Engine and Performance

Consumers Dislike — The Low Fuel Economy

Most Significant Rival is the — Dodge Ram

The Dodge Ram has been on top of many consumers list for years now. They comment on its, “Bold and aggressive exterior”. But what has also captured their attention is its improvements in “torque, horsepower, and better fuel economy”. It is hard to believe that the words more horsepower and better fuel economy could be used in the same sentence, but in the case of the 5.7 liter Hemi Dodge, they can. The Hemi V-8 gets an improved 345 horsepower, which is significantly over the Titan, while maintaining a 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway.

While the Dodge Ram is by no means a “new” release (the Titan was released in 2004), it has “made the most significant ground in 2008” according to most consumers who still stand behind their Dodge’s.

The overall most popular and liked vehicles among consumers in the Large Pickup Truck segment:

9^th Place— Lincoln Mark LT 1% popularity, low sentiment

8^th Place— Cadillac Escalade EXT 1% popularity, low sentiment

7^th Place— Toyota Tundra 20% popularity, low sentiment

6^th Place— Ford F-Series 42% popularity, medium sentiment

5^th Place— Chevrolet Avalanche 1% popularity, high sentiment

4^th Place— GMC Sierra 5% popularity, very high sentiment

3^rd Place— Chevrolet Silverado 8% popularity, high sentiment

2^nd Place— Dodge Ram 9% popularity, high sentiment

1^st Place— Nissan Titan 15% popularity, high sentiment

For the Mid-Size SUV Segment, the Overall Bread-Winner is the — Mercury Mariner

Consumer Comments: Consumer who have driven the new Mercury Mariner rave about its, “comfortable, high-quality and luxurious interior”. They also have a very high opinion of the external updates that the Mariner received for 2008, in particular its “expanded ‘waterfall’ grille and larger Mercury badge”.

To Mercury’s credit, consumers online were not found to really have any significant dislikes about the Mariner worth mentioning. This is one of the rare SUV’s that have made it through a release without at least some negative criticism.

Share of Consumer Discussion — 9%

Sentiment — Very High

Consumers Like — Exterior Styling, Comfort, Interior Styling, Performance, and Overall Quality

Consumers Dislike — Nothing to Speak of

Most Significant Rival is the — Toyota RAV4

Consumer Comments: The engine of the RAV4 is really what has stood out for consumers so far this year. The 3.5 liter V-6 has proven itself with both the enthusiasts and daily drivers alike. While it produces 269 horsepower, 246 lb-ft of torque, and can launch from 0-60 in just 7.2 seconds, the RAV4’s V-6 gets close to the same fuel economy as a much less powerful four-cylinder. It is capable of 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and all consumers certainly could appreciate that.

The RAV4 was not as lucky as the Mariner in that it did appear to have a significant drawback for the consumer, and that was its, “quality of interior materials which both felt and looked cheap”.

The overall most popular and liked vehicles among consumers in the Large Pickup Truck segment:

10^th Place— KIA Sorento 1% popularity, very high sentiment

9^th Place— Suzuki XL-7 1% popularity, very high sentiment

8^th Place— Mitsubishi Outlander 1% popularity, very high sentiment

7^th Place— Nissan Xterra 2% popularity, high sentiment

6^th Place— Hyundai Santa Fe 2% popularity, high sentiment

5^th Place— Honda Element 3% popularity, medium sentiment

4^th Place— Mazda Tribute 3% popularity, high sentiment

3^rd Place— Jeep Wrangler 5% popularity, very high sentiment

2^nd Place— Toyota RAV4 7% popularity, medium-high sentiment

1^st Place— Mercury Mariner 9% popularity, very high sentiment