2011 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards: Sporty Car

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.

Sporty Cars tend to have a go-fast styling but are more comfortable to drive than Sports Cars.  They quite often can be used as a daily driver and don't usually have the punishingly hard ride that one might find in the Sports Cars segment.  Sporty Cars are all about comfortable cruisin' while looking good.

This year's AutoPacific IVA Sporty Car winner is the 2011 Dodge Challenger.

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 Sporty Car: 2011 Dodge Challenger

Rank: #1

Score: 1194

The 2011 Dodge Challenger is the top ranked Sporty Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Award Research.  Sporty Car owners are always seeking more and even though the Challenger won because its owners did not want much changed, there are some substantial areas they want changed.  First, almost 50% want more power.  This is characteristic of the Sporty Car buyer and Challenger buyers are no exception.  Challenger owners want better visibility – a characteristic sacrificed by the aggressive styling of the car.  They also want more infotainment technology.  They most like its exterior size (although some want it smaller), cargo room and seat comfort.  The Challenger handily outpointed the second place Volkswagen Eos for the Sporty Car trophy.

#2 Sporty Car: 2011 Volkswagen Eos

Rank: #2

Score: 1170

The 2011 Volkswagen Eos offers a premium hardtop convertible experience that is well suited to cruising under the sun and stars. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine contributes reasonable performance without spiking the monthly fuel bill too badly, and the vehicle also comes with the choice of either a six-speed traditional manual transmission or a dual-clutch automated manual gearbox.

#3 Sporty Car: 2011 Ford Mustang

Rank: #3

Score: 1169

The most agile contender on the muscle car market, the 2011 Ford Mustang offers potent performance regardless of whether it is ordered with its V-6 or V-6 engine. A focus on lightweight design and the availability of a convertible edition help to make the Mustang an appealing sport car option.

#4 Sporty Car: 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Rank: #4

Score: 1137

The 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is the first legitimate performance car produced by the Korean automaker. A rear-wheel drive coupe that comes with either a turbocharged, four-cylinder mill or a tuned V-6 engine, the Genesis Coupe acquits itself well on a road course without punishing occupants too badly on bumpy city streets.

#5 Sporty Car: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro

Rank: #5

Score: 1111

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro has gobs of style, but it gives up some handling to the competition. This, combined with difficult sight lines from within the coupe, as well as an interior that is not quite up to par, keep the Camaro from taking home first-place hardware in its category.

#6 Sporty Car: 2011 Scion tC

Rank: #6

Score: 1108

The 2011 Scion tC offers a brand new design that ups power and handling for the compact front-wheel drive coupe. Sharper styling also adds an edge to the two-door, but unfortunately, the tC can’t keep up with any of the other models on this list when it comes to pure performance.

#7 Sporty Car: 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Rank: #7

Score: 1095

The 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe and convertible are definitely fun to look at, and offer reasonable acceleration and fairly engaging handling. A heavy curb weight, combined with a lack of any significant improvements to the platform over the past few years has unfortunately relegated the Eclipse to the back of the sporty car pack.