Auto Club Picks Top Six Ideal Consumer Vehicles
14 September 1998
Auto Club Picks Top Six Ideal Consumer Vehicles
LOS ANGELES--Sept. 11, 1998--The 1998 Audi A4 Avant Quattro comes closest to being this year's ideal passenger vehicle, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The Auto Club's Target Car Report released today said the Audi ranked highest for features Southern California motorists say they want in a vehicle.
The Top Five cars listed in the report are:
1. Audi A4 Avant Quattro
2. Lexus GS 400
3. Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon
4. Lexus LS 400
5. Mercedes-Benz CLK 320
The Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab SLT was the highest ranked truck.
The Auto Club's Automotive Research Center tests and evaluates dozens of cars each year to determine which ones come closest to the "target" ... the vehicle that most closely meets 12 key features that Southern Californians want in a vehicle.
Periodic surveys of Auto Club members are used as the basis for selecting test features. They include brake stopping distances, ride quality, crashworthiness potential, handling and fuel economy.
Fifty-four cars and trucks were tested in 1998.
In addition to the Top Six List, the Target Car Report selected the Suzuki Esteem GL as the best overall value for the lowest price.
"Consumers want quality and safety in their vehicles," said Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer. "Fortunately these features are improving every year. The Target Car Report highlights many of these changes. It gives consumers a scientific, impartial basis for selecting the right car for them based on features motorists say they want and the best value for the dollar."
Test features ranked in order of importance to motorists, according to the Target Car Report, are: braking distance, crashworthiness, visibility, handling, ride quality, fuel economy, interior noise, acceleration, entry and exit, interior size, turning radius and luggage capacity.
In addition to newly tested cars, the Target Car report contains information on vehicles tested during the five previous years. Each of the models listed is similar to current year models so the information remains relevant. Models with significant design and equipment changes are dropped off the list until they can be re-tested.
Information on approximately 200 cars and trucks is contained in the report. Copies are available at any of the Auto Club's 69 offices for $6 for Auto Club members and $7.50 for non-members.
Target Car Reports also may be ordered by sending a check for the correct amount payable to the Automobile Club of Southern California to Target Car Report, Automobile Club of Southern California, Automotive Research Center, HO44, 2601 South Figueroa, Los Angeles, Calif. 90007. Return addresses must be included with orders.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, legislative advocacy and automotive testing and analysis.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
