2006 Total Quality Winners

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2006 Total Quality Winners

From Strategic Vision

GM leads the most vehicle segments in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index, measuring the ownership experience.

General Motors topped all other automakers in the number of vehicles receiving the highest score in their category, according to the 2006 Total Quality Index (TQI) Awards from automotive consulting firm Strategic Vision.

The Total Quality Index was calculated based on responses from more than 29,000 buyers who bought 2006 models in October and November of 2005. Each year buyers are asked to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to driving.

Strategic Vision has been calculating the TQI since 1995. "We're seeing many new or redesigned vehicles at the top of their segments," said Strategic Vision CEO Darrel Edwards. "These vehicles typically deliver more tangible and intangible emotional elements which are relevant to buyers."

Photo Gallery: Total Quality Winners

Although no single automaker dominated the awards this year, five of the 20 segments were led by vehicles from General Motors. Toyota topped four segments, while BMW and Honda each fielded three top-scoring vehicles. Domestic models and Japanese models scored highest in eight segments each, with European brands taking the last four.

"Overall the results show good news and bad news for the domestics, "said Daniel Gorrell, Strategic Vision vice president. "On the one hand, their efforts to beef up their car offerings are paying off, especially with bread-and-butter products like the Ford Fusion and Dodge Charger. On the other hand, the Japanese continue making inroads into the truck categories that the domestics used to own, winning six of the ten slots, vs. three for the domestics."

BMW was listed as the top scoring brand, a feat the German company has managed seven of the last eight years. Volkswagen of America earned the top spot as best full-line corporation.

A number of vehicles were repeat winners in 2006, including the Chevrolet Corvette, MINI Cooper, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Armada and Toyota Tacoma.

Here are the 2006 Total Quality Index winners:

Small Car

Honda Civic

Small Multi-Function Vehicle

Chevrolet HHR

Medium Car

Ford Fusion

Large Car

Dodge Charger

Small Specialty Under $25,000

MINI Cooper

Small Specialty Over $25,000

Chevrolet Corvette

Near-Luxury Car

Lexus IS

Luxury Car

BMW 7-Series

Convertible Under $30,000

MINI Cooper Convertible

Convertible Over $30,000

Chevrolet Corvette

Minivan

Honda Odyssey

Small SUV

Saturn Vue

Medium SUV

Toyota 4Runner

Medium Crossover

Dodge Magnum

Large SUV

Nissan Armada

Near-Luxury SUV

Lexus RX 350/Lexus RX 400h

Luxury SUV

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Compact Pickup

Toyota Tacoma

Large Pickup

Honda Ridgeline

Heavy-Duty Pickup

Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500

Source: Strategic Vision

Well i woke up this morning to a pleasent picture on the cover of MSN.com a Z06, with the title Americas 2006 Highest Quality cars

then once i clicked that, i see the HHR

[PurdueGuy]

Go VUE! Wooooooo!

[Paolino]

Interesting that they have the Lexus RX350 up there as a 2006 model winner... being that the RX350 is a 2007 model. The RX330 is a 2006 model.

[C.H.U.D.]

Congrats to Nissan for finally figuring out how to put the Armada together.

[Intrepidation]

Large Pickup

Honda Ridgeline

On the other hand th Charger and Magnum won awards, which is sweet

[SableStyle]

Large Pickup

Honda Ridgeline

Yeah isn't there a thread on this forum somewhere where it was universally agreed upon that the Ridgeline is NOT a large pickup?

This is a nice list. Surprised to see the 4Runner on top, even though it is a solid vehicle.