The APEAL (Automotive Performance Execution and Layout) Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on information gathered from over 80,930 purchasers and lessees of 245 2009 models. The 10 categories rated were as follows: exterior, driving dynamics, interior, visibility/driving safety, engine/transmission, HVAC/climate controls, storage/space, audio/entertainment/navigation, seats, and fuel economy.

"The Study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles- which typically retain higher resale values- and by consumers to help them make more-informed choices for both new and used vehicles."

See:

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/article...-Study-Results