Until recently, midsize and large cars had a well-deserved reputation for simply being family haulers or something that you’d rent at the airport. Many models were devoid of any real personality and didn’t offer anything for the auto aficionado. Not anymore. With a renewed emphasis on design, enhanced driving dynamics, upgraded interiors, upscale audio, the latest safety features and, in some cases, healthy doses of horsepower, what was once considered uncool is now viewed by many consumers as highly desirable.
In the midsize and large car segments, the Volkswagen Passat and Dodge Magnum are the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM award recipients.
Midsize Car Segment
Highest Ranked: 2008 Volkswagen Passat
A close cousin to the Audi A4, the 2008 Volkswagen Passat is available in sedan or wagon body styles, and offers a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
and optional V-6 engine. The completely updated “B6” version of the Passat sedan was introduced as a 2006 model; the wagon joined the lineup for 2007. The Passat is offered in four trims for 2008: Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. The Passat sedan has a trunk with 14.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and the Passat wagon provides 35.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up, or 61.1 cubic feet with the seat folded flat. Access to the wagon’s cargo area is eased by the presence of a standard power-operated rear hatch. Changes for 2008 are mostly limited to the drivetrain on the wagon model.
Following back-to-back No. 2 rankings in the 2006 and 2007 APEAL Studies, the Volkswagen Passat breaks through and earns the midsize car model award in the 2008 APEAL Study.
Among the 17 models in the midsize car segment, the 2008 Volkswagen Passat achieves the highest ratings in six of the 10 categories that comprise the study, including:
- storage and space
- seats
- driving dynamics
- engine/transmission
- visibility/driving safety
- fuel economy
Additionally, the Passat scores above the segment average in each of the other four categories.
According to consumers, the Passat’s top three attributes compared to the midsize car segment are: the rating of fuel economy and range between fuel stops; smoothness of gearshift operation; and the appearance of exterior paint. The Passat’s bottom three attributes are all related to the vehicle’s navigation system: the ease of using the navigation system; ability of the navigation system to provide a desirable route; and the appearance of the navigation system display.
2008 Volkswagen Passat Prices
2008 Volkswagen Passat Photos
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Ranked No. 2: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Ranked No. 3: 2008 Honda Accord
Large Car Segment
Highest Ranked: 2008 Dodge Magnum
Available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the Dodge Magnum for 2008 has a modified exterior design, new interior with
all-new front center console, and the SRT8 model features a new hood and functional hood scoop, front fascia and grille. Dodge says the SRT8 has the look and feel of a hot-rod station wagon, with its 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine. If you’re interested in buying a Magnum, however, get one while you can. Dodge recently announced that the Magnum, among other models, will be dropped from the manufacturer’s lineup due to slow sales.
Among the 11 models in the large car segment, the 2008 Dodge Magnum achieves the highest ratings in seven of the 10 categories that comprise the study, including:
- vehicle exterior
- vehicle interior (in a tie with the Dodge Charger)
- audio/entertainment/navigation
- seats
- climate control
- driving dynamics
- engine/transmission
Additionally, the Magnum scores above the segment average in storage and space and visibility/driving safety, but below the segment average in fuel economy.
According to consumers, the Magnum’s top three attributes compared to the large car segment are all related to the model’s exterior design: rear-end styling; side-profile appearance and styling; and front-end styling. The Magnum’s bottom three attributes are: the rating of fuel economy and range between fuel stops; ease of judging distances when parking; and visibility when changing lanes.
2008 Dodge Magnum Prices
2008 Dodge Magnum Photos
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Ranked No. 2: 2008 Dodge Charger
Ranked No. 3: 2008 Toyota Avalon
More Research
2008 APEAL Study Results
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