Forget Initial Quality -- Are You Enthusiastic About Your Vehicle?

While JD Power is busy counting problems with vehicles, a company called Strategic Vision says it surveys owners on the totality of their experience in the first year or two of ownership -- both the good and the bad. Hence, the 2009 "Total Quality" Awards.

"The Total Quality Index was calculated from 20,101 buyers who bought 2008 & 2009 models in September to December of 2008," says the company in a press release.

Strategic Vision says that Mini, ranked last by JD Power for Initial Quality in 2009, was the top-rated brand in its survey. Alas, there's no mention of the brand whose owners are least enthusiastic.

The company has also announced winners in 17 vehicle categories listed after the jump.

It's bittersweet to see the GMC Envoy here; you'll recall that the Moraine, Ohio, plant that used to build it closed in December 2008. And the dead-men-walking Pontiac G8 and GMC Yukon XL are here, too.


Small Car: Ford Focus sedan
Small Multi-Function: Volkswagen Rabbit
Mid-Size Car: Volkswagen Jetta Sedan
Large Car: Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8
Near-Luxury Car: Volkswagen CC, Audi A4 sedan
Luxury Car Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Specialty Coupe: Volkswagen New Beetle
Premium Coupe: Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Minivan: Honda Odyssey
Entry Utility: Volkswagen Tiguan
Mid-Size Crossover Utility: Toyota Venza
Mid-Size Traditional Utility: GMC Envoy, Toyota 4Runner
Large Utility: GMC Yukon XL
Near-Luxury Utility: Infiniti FX, Infiniti EX35, BMW X3
Luxury Utility: Land Rover Range Rover
Standard Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Full-Size Pickup: Dodge Ram 1500

Strategic Vision 2009 Total Quality Awards.pdf