Strategic Vision: Tesla Model S Is Industry’s Most Loved Vehicle

While there's certainly something to be said for objective third-party quality testing in the U.S. auto industry, the team at Strategic Vision puts its focus right on the heart of the matter. As explained by Dr. Darrel Edwards, Ph.D., co-founder of Strategic Vision: “We completed over a decade of research and consulting in determining how to capture the ways that people talk about their loves. We discovered that the natural language was in a ‘Love-Hate’ context with nuances in-between. The report of Most Loved Vehicles in America captures a vehicle’s total emotional response from buyer-drivers. The industry is mature enough to actually accept ‘True Love’ as a core comprehensive, interactive and discriminating emotional response.”

On the other hand, it is interesting to note that, regardless of how "mature" the industry is, the No. 1 Most Loved Vehicle in the land was the revolutionary new Tesla Model S. In fact, Strategic Vision editors said that the Tesla's 852-point score (on a 1,000-point scale) was "nothing short of astounding." To put that performance into context, the only other vehicle to break 800 points was the Hyundai Equus, with a score of 821 points—which happens to be pretty astounding in and of itself.

But Hyundai also went on to earn four other Love awards, and its total of fivewere more than from any other brand. Then, dialing up the astonishment factor yet further, it was the Chrysler Group that led the way among all automakers, thanks to seven segment winners.

And now, with no further ado, here are the Most Loved Cars in America for 2014:

• Tesla Model S—Most Loved Vehicle in the Industry
• Chevrolet Spark—Micro Car
• Nissan Sentra, Dodge Dart (tie)—Small Car
• Hyundai Elantra GT—Small Multi-Function Car
• Nissan LEAF, Toyota Prius c (tie)—Small Alternative Powertrain Car
• Hyundai Sonata, VW Jetta/Passat (tie)—Mid-Size Car
• Honda Crosstour, VW Jetta SportWagen (tie)—Mid-Size Multi-Function Car
• Chevrolet Volt—Mid-Size Alternative Powertrain Car
• Dodge Charger—Full-Size Car
• Lexus ES 350, Hyundai Genesis (tie)—Near-Luxury Car
• Hyundai Equus—Luxury Car
• Dodge Challenger—Specialty Coupe
• BMW 3-Series, Audi A5 (tie)—Premium Coupe
• MINI Cooper Roadster, MINI Cooper Convertible (tie)—Standard Convertible
• Mercedes-Benz SL-Class—Premium Convertible/Roadster

Strategic Vision's Most Loved Trucks of 2014

Interestingly, especially given the increasing U.S. demand for crossovers, folks aren't quite as in love with the vehicle choices from the non-car side of the ledger. A key insight from the 2014 study, according to Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision: “There is tremendous room for improvement among vehicles with truck platforms. Love is a dynamic tool for addressing where improvements can be made. ‘Love’ should be on any brand’s internal scorecard and really is the pinnacle of achievement. We have been able to demonstrate the power of Love to predict commitment, advocacy and loyalty. Love is about the bottom line. Ignore it at your own risk.”

As for the current crop of trucks, crossovers, etc., Strategic Vision urges customers not to ignore the following winners:

• Honda Ridgeline—Standard Pickup
• Ram 1500—Full-Size Pickup
• Ram 2500/3500, Ford 2500/3500 (tie)—Heavy Duty Pickup
• Toyota FJ Cruiser—Entry SUV
• Nissan JUKE—Entry CUV
• Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee (tie)—Mid-Size SUV
• Ford Flex, Hyundai Santa Fe—Mid-Size CUV
• Nissan Armada—Full-Size Utility
• Infiniti FX—Near-Luxury Utility
• Cadillac Escalade ESV—Luxury SUV
• BMW X6—Luxury CUV
• Toyota Sienna—Minivan