Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Fiat 500L among 2018 Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) category winners!

JStar’s Orange County Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Anaheim – Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. has announced four FCA US vehicles as segment winners in its 2018 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA). The Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Fiat 500L were named “Best-in-Class Ideal Mid-Size SUV”, “Best-in-Class Ideal Large Car”, “Best-in-Class Ideal Sporty Car” and “Best-in-Class Ideal Compact Car,” respectively.

The 2018 Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on scores developed using results from AutoPacific’s national New Vehicle Satisfaction Survey. Respondents to this survey are owners of new model-year cars and trucks purchased from September through December 2017. The questionnaire was administered from January through April 2018. Respondents rate 14 vehicle attributes concerning their desire for change. Those vehicles wanting the least change win the IVA for their class.

Based on responses from more than 58,000 owners of new vehicles across all major manufacturers, the survey indicates that the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Fiat 500L meet or exceed their expectations.

“IVAs speak to a vehicle’s layout and design,” says AutoPacific President George Peterson. “Giving owners a chance to tell us what they would change and how they would change it reveals which vehicles are designed to meet their needs and expectations. In other words, having owners who are happy with things the way they are says the manufacturer did their upfront research and designed the vehicle with their target buyer in mind.”

Jeep Grand Cherokee
This is the eighth consecutive year the Jeep Grand Cherokee has won AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Award for the Mid-Size SUV segment. Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most awarded SUV ever and the vehicle that has long defined what a premium SUV should be. A refined exterior design — complete with available bi-xenon headlamps with signature LED daytime running lamps (DRL) — provides a premium appearance.

The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee features legendary capability, world-class craftsmanship, benchmark on-road refinement and advanced safety and technology features. Legendary Jeep capability comes courtesy of four available 4×4 systems, Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension system and class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system. Grand Cherokee boasts best-in-class towing of 7,400 pounds and a crawl ratio of 44.1:1.

Chrysler 300
As the winner of the IVA Large Car segment, the Chrysler 300 lineup delivers on the brand’s promise of iconic and elegant design executed with world-class performance, efficiency and quality – all at an attainable value. Offering class-exclusive innovations and advanced technology at the driver’s fingertips, the 300 lineup includes the Uconnect 4 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, improved features and an award-winning interface.

The Chrysler 300’s standard TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission delivers up to 30 miles per gallon (mpg) highway fuel economy when paired with the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6.

Available on the Touring, Touring L, 300S and Limited is the segment’s most advanced all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which seamlessly engages at any speed to enable optimal traction and control based on conditions, driving style and road surface.

Standard on the 300C and available on the 300S, the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with 363 horsepower is the most powerful V-8 engine in its class.

Dodge Challenger
Topping the IVA Sporty Car segment for the second time in three years, Dodge launches the most powerful SRT Hellcat lineup ever for the 2019 model year by leveraging the power of the record-setting Dodge Challenger SRT Demon to introduce the new performance halo for the brand and the most powerful, quickest and fastest muscle car – the 797-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye.

The Challenger SRT Hellcat returns with output now starting at 717 horsepower and both Hellcat models feature a new dual-snorkel hood that pays homage to the distinctive Dodge design themes from some of its most famous muscle cars, including the 1970 Dart Swinger and 1971 Demon. The new R/T Scat Pack Widebody includes fender flares, adding 3.5 inches of body width, 20 x 11-inch forged wheels, 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires and larger six-piston Brembo brakes in the front for improved on-road and on-track performance.

Eight distinct models make up the reconfigured vehicle lineup for 2019: SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye. Numerous option packages offer all the upgrades, unique heritage cues and additional performance that Dodge//SRT customers demand. Challenger offers a full range of engine options, including the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 on SXT, SXT AWD, GT and GT AWD models, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 in the R/T models, the naturally aspirated 392 HEMI V-8 on R/T Scat Pack models, the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 on the SRT Hellcat and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V-8 on the SRT Hellcat Redeye.

Fiat 500L
Leading the Compact Car segment, the Fiat 500L builds on the style, efficiency and driving enjoyment that has made the Fiat 500 an icon. The Fiat 500L expands the Cinquecento’s appeal by offering 42 percent extra interior space with comfortable seating for five, engaging driving dynamics and a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine, all wrapped in contemporary Italian design.

About AutoPacific
AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm, founded in 1986, also conducts extensive proprietary research, forecasting, and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters are in North Tustin, California, with affiliate offices in the Detroit area, North Carolina and South Carolina. Additional information can be found on AutoPacific’s website.