Ford Taurus, Mercury Mountaineer Named 1997 Family Circle 'Family Cars of the Year'
8 October 1997
Ford Taurus, Mercury Mountaineer Named 1997 Family Circle 'Family Cars of the Year'
Winners chosen by family owners are best sedan and family activity vehicles
DETROIT, Oct. 8 -- Ford Taurus and Mercury Mountaineer were
named the 1997 Family Circle "Family Cars of the Year" at the Carail Museum in
Detroit today by James W. McEwen, group publisher, Family Circle.
The award winners, selected by families who purchased new vehicles, are
divided into two categories, Best Family Sedan and Best Family Activity
Vehicle. They are presented to the vehicles rated highest in meeting the
needs and standards of the American woman and her family.
"This is Family Circle's 10th year naming 'Family Car of the Year'
winners," said McEwen. "Our publication is proud to be the only consumer
magazine to sponsor an independent automotive award program solely judged by
women in new-car-buying families. Women trust us with advice on all major
decisions impacting their families, including important purchases like
automobiles."
The Ford Taurus, which won in the "Family Sedan" category, received high
marks for its feeling of sturdiness. In addition, consumers agreed the
Taurus' advanced safety features including seat belts, air bags and automatic
door and window locks were exceptional. Eight out of 10 consumers voting for
the Taurus said they would purchase the same vehicle again.
The "Family Activity Vehicle" category winner, the Mercury Mountaineer,
was praised for its advanced engineering and safety. Seven out of 10
consumers voting on the Mountaineer were "completely satisfied" with the
vehicle as a family car and rated overall appearance and styling as
"excellent." Braking and horsepower/acceleration capabilities of the
Mountaineer also were rated well.
The Ford Taurus and Mercury Mountaineer were two of 20 finalists
determined by identifying the 10 "family sedans" and 10 "family activity
vehicles" with the highest number of 1997 vehicle sales to families in the
first quarter of the model year, according to the R.L. Polk vehicle
registration list. Questionnaires were mailed to women who have owned one of
the 20 qualifying vehicles for more then six months for non-business purposes.
Approximately 3,000 qualified respondents returned the questionnaires and
their responses were measured by the Family Circle Satisfaction Index, which
rates the owners' responses to specific criteria including:
* performance and handling * space and comfort
* safety * satisfaction with dealer
* dependability and reliability * value for money
* appearance and styling * suitability for intended uses
The ratings were calculated by Willard and Shullman, an independent
research firm.
Family Circle magazine provides its 23 million readers with practical
automotive advice and new vehicle purchase information. The magazine's
"Family Car of the Year" awards are the only awards given to manufacturers for
vehicle designs that best meet the needs of the American woman and her family.
Established in 1988, past winners include:
1996 Honda Accord (Sedan)
Chevy Tahoe (Family Activity Vehicle)
1995 Chevy Lumina (Sedan)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (Family Activity Vehicle)
1994 Buick LeSabre (Sedan)
Ford Explorer (Family Activity Vehicle)
1993 Saturn SL (Domestic)
Nissan Altima (Import)
1992 Buick LeSabre (Domestic)
Toyota Camry (Import)
1991 Chevrolet Lumina (Domestic)
Honda Accord (Import)
1990 Chevrolet Lumina (Domestic)
Toyota Camry (Import)
1989 Toyota Camry (Grand Winner)
1988 Volvo 240 DL (Grand Winner)
SOURCE Family Circle
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