2011 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards: Premium Luxury Crossover SUV

AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) are based on 73,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2011.

These Premium Luxury XSUVs are built to coddle occupants on the road, not off it.  The Premium Luxury Crossover SUV segment has many premium offerings such as the Porsche Cayenne, Infiniti FX, and Audi Q7.  They tend to compromise towing and off-road capability for comfort and/or fuel economy.

This year's AutoPacific IVA Premium Luxury Crossover SUV winner is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne.

Read on to see the entire list of category candidates and how they scored.

*NOTE: Results for 2010 Model Year Vehicles are Included in the 2011 Model Year Research Because of Availability. Scores Are Shown Where Sample Sizes Allow

#1 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Rank: #1

Score: 1236

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne is the top rated Premium Luxury XSUV based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, owners are pretty satisfied with the way the vehicle is executed with a few exceptions.  Almost 35% want better interior storage in their Cayenne.  About 25% want more cargo room and more infotainment technology.  Over 20% want better visibility and more power.  Owners like the ride, size and seat comfort.  Cayenne edges out second place BMW X5 for its category win. 

#2 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: 2011 BMW X5

Rank: #2

Score: 1232

The 2011 BMW X5 is a 4-door, 5-seat Sport Utility, available in 5 trims, ranging from the xDrive35i (A8) to the xDrive50i (A8). Upon introduction, the $46,300 xDrive35i (A8) is equipped with a standard 3.0L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard. The $58,900 xDrive50i (A8) is equipped with a standard 4.4L, 8-cylinder, engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard.

#3 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: 2011 Lincoln MKT

Rank: #3

Score: 1207

The 2011 Lincoln MKT is a 4-door, 7-seat Sport Utility, available in 3 trims, ranging from the FWD to the EcoBoost AWD. Upon introduction, the $44,300 FWD is equipped with a standard 3.7L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard. The $49,300 EcoBoost AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard.

#4 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: 2011 Audi Q7

Rank #4

Score: 1203

The 2011 Audi Q7 is a 4-door, 7-seat Sport Utility, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 3.0 TDI Premium to the 3.0T S line Prestige. Upon introduction, the $51,450 3.0 TDI Premium is equipped with a standard 3.0L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard. The $59,450 3.0T S line Prestige is equipped with a standard 3.0L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard.

#5 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: 2011 Infiniti FX

Rank: #6

Score: 1148

The 2011 Infiniti FX35 is a 4-door, 5-seat Sport Utility, available in 2 trims, ranging from the 4x2 to the AWD. Upon introduction, the $42,600 4x2 is equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard. The $44,050 AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard.

#6 Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML

Rank: #6

Score: 1146

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a 4-door, 5-seat Sport Utility, available in 6 trims, ranging from the ML350 4x4 to the ML350 BlueTEC 4x4. Upon introduction, the $48,990 ML350 4x4 is equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard. The $50,490 ML350 BlueTEC 4x4 is equipped with a standard 3.0L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard.