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Hyundai is the first thing that came to mind, so I'm following my gut. There have a been a lot of improvments the last few years in domestics, but Hyundai gets my vote.
Kia, maybe Mercedes. Mercedes quality control went AWOL 1995-2005.
You can say that again! Back in 2005 I bought a new Mustang. Around the same time an ex-girlfriend of mine bought a new C230. She had it in the shop three times in the first month! I suggested that she had bought a lemon but her new boyfriend at the time had a new Escalade...same story. Maybe they both got lemons? Meanwhile the only trouble that I had with my lowly Ford was that I had to keep putting gas in it...
As for the answer to this poll question, I would consider everything from mechanical quality to design quality. Hyundai certainly seems to be moving in the right direction, though I think it'll take a few years longer to truly determine the degree of mechanical improvement. Ford has stepped up its game in the design quality. They also seem to have really re-invented themselves, focussing on, well, cars like the Focus and Fiesta. The new Fusion is a thing of beauty too, though not in a class of vehicles that interests me.
I think Chrysler/Dodge has some nice looking stuff, but they built such crap for so long that it'll take a long time for them to regain my trust. Chevy on the other hand builds great engines, then puts them in the most asinine engine compartments. Still I would rank their overall quality high above Chrysler or Dodge.
Subaru has always seemed to have outstanding quality, albeit in cars that I have always hated!
Toyota and Honda have suffered brand image issues, but make no mistake, both brands are still front runners in build quality. I'd still trust Toyota over Chrysler or Hyundai if I was looking for a vehicle that I expected would last me 10-12 years with minimal issues.
Still since the category is most improved, I am going with Hyundai. They build some of the worst cars EVER just 10-15 years ago. Initial quality is now MUCH improved, but we'll see about the long-term build quality of their products. For their sake and that of consumers everywhere, I hope it is as good as people say. It never hurts to have competition/options out there!
Ford has stepped up its game in the design quality. They also seem to have really re-invented themselves, focussing on, well, cars like the Focus and Fiesta. The new Fusion is a thing of beauty too, though not in a class of vehicles that interests me.
Ford just brought to the USA the European Ford's models that have been there for several years. Fiesta is just the same car as in Europe, 2012 Focus is European Focus III (and the USA just missed Focus II produced in 2004-2011 in Germany, Russia, and Spain). 2013 Fusion is actually restyled Mondeo.
I wish they would bring S-Max / Galaxy and C-Max to the USA.
Ford has definitely improved tremendously over the last decade. Their engineering and design improvements have made them one of the more sought after domestic brands. Also, they are staying competitive with the foreign vehicle makers with their line of fuel efficient vehicles.
Hyundai have come a long way, but they've only managed to burst the universal "ugh, a Hyundai; am I that broke?" standard with aesthetic changes and cutting-edge technology. IMO their build quality has not improved as much as I would have hoped. I still don't think Hyundai builds a good, dependable car.
The accord is old, boring, and all auto Honda trannies still have no business working with a V6. Alas, get the 4 cylinder VTEC and the 5 speed manual and you have a car that, most of the time, will get you a quarter million miles with only routine maintenance.
I don't see a Sonata going far beyond its' warranty. If you shop for a new car every 5-7 years I guess this doesn't matter much?
I voted Ford. Their safety records are superb, their technology is cutting edge, but for me the change in build quality/reliability is the story here. Fords built cars that were mostly a national embarrassment for a few decades IMO, and now they build some of the best.
I don't own a Ford but I will soon. They have a dozen different models that excite me.
I voted Audi for the brand that has come the longest way. At least in my area, Audis are so popular they are at least as many of them as BMW's on the road, maybe even more. I have a feeling that Chrysler/Dodge may be next in line to see major improvements, but still way too early to tell.
Personally, I think Hyundai and Kia still suck. I hate every single one of their cars for asthetic reasons, with the exception of the Hyundai Genesis, which looks really good, but unfortunately has the Hyundai badge on it. I'm still a Honda/Toyota fan at heart. I would rate Lexus as my #1 favorite brand, both today and ten years ago.
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