Hyundai Genesis and Sonata win 2009 Autopacific vehicle satisfaction awards, while Hyundai receives the 2009 Rising star recognition. 

Autopacific issued already its 13th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards today and one of the biggest winner of this years award was Hyundai Motor Company with two of its sedans topping the highly competitive car segments. In addition, Hyundai has been titled as the 2009 Rising Star thanks to its impressive improvement of last years overall brand satisfaction rankings.

It was both the mid-size Sonata sedan and Hyundai Genesis sedan that topped their segments in AutoPacifics 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. The 2009 Hyundai Sonata, which has received a mid-cycle facelift and some major interior upgrades about a year ago has topped the Premium mid-size car segment, beating all of its main competitors including the highly acclaimed Toyota Camry and Accord from Honda. 

Joining Sonata a top and above all of the competition was the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Genesis sedan, which has been the highest ranked luxury sedan in the Aspirational Luxury Car category. The 2009 Genesis sedan, which starts at just $33.000, has been praised for its impressive value, affordable operating costs and Americas best warranty!

Thanks to many satisfied Hyundai owners, the overall brands satisfaction rating jumped 11 positions which was the highest highest improvement of all manufacturers in the survey. This made Hyundai earning the 2009 Rising Star honors. In addition, I should also stress that Hyundai also scored higher in 40 out of 48 rating categories in 2009 compared with 2008.

Check out the top performers of the 2009 AutoPacifics Vehicle Satisfaction Awards after the jump!

LIGHT TRUCKS:

Luxury Crossover SUV :  Land Rover LR2
Large Crossover SUV :  Mazda CX-9
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV : Toyota Venza
Mid-Size Crossover SUV :  Volkswagen Tiguan
Compact Crossover SUV  :   Kia Sportage
Minivan  : Toyota Sienna
Large Pickup : Dodge Ram 1500
Compact Pickup : Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Luxury Sport Utility : Cadillac Escalade
Large Sport Utility : Chevrolet Tahoe
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility : Ford Explorer
Mid-Size Sport Utility : Jeep Liberty
HIGHEST SATISFACTION BRAND: Cadillac

PASSENGER CARS:

Premium Luxury Car  :  Lexus LS
Aspirational Luxury Car :  Hyundai Genesis
Luxury Large Car  :   Lincoln Town Car
Luxury Mid-Size Car :  Lexus ES
Premium Mid-Size Car :  Hyundai Sonata
Mid-Size Car  : Ford Fusion
Image Compact Car : Toyota Prius
Compact Car : Mitsubishi Lancer
Economy Car   :   Honda Fit
Sports Car : Porsche 911
Sporty Car :  Scion tC