Owning a car is something that can be an incredibly personal and special experience. Even those consumers who just consider their car a tool to get them from point A to point B, develop a relationship with their vehicle. Automakers have tried their hardest to develop cars that not only cater to the need of transport but offer a deeper level of comfort and aim to bring pleasure to the simple act of driving. Some brands hit the mark better than others and Consumer Reports has come up with a list of the most satisfying cars of 2023.
It comes as no surprise that a few of the cars on the most satisfying list are sports cars, designed specifically to give the driver the best possible experience. The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 feature on the list alongside the Porsche 911, but only one car can achieve the top spot. For 2023 the most satisfying car was reported, not surprisingly to some, as the Chevrolet Corvette C8. This is the second year in a row that Chevrolet has held the spot of being the most satisfying car according to owners.
The Factors That Give The Corvette C8 The Coveted Title
Consumer Reports have created its list with the aim to rank cars based on the ability of automakers to live up to their promises. The publication wants its list to be a guide to the consumer and show which cars truly gave their owners a noteworthy driving experience. The way in which they achieve this goal is by asking consumers one question and rating cars based on the response, the question being “Given the opportunity, would you buy or lease this vehicle again?”
In their report this year, there were responses from more than 300,000 vehicle owners of 2020 to 2022 model year cars, with a few 2023 models used as well. The rank on which the car achieves is based on what percentage of owners responded “definitely yes” when posed the question as to whether or not they would purchase the same vehicle again. Owners were asked to consider factors such as price, fuel economy, enjoyment, and performance, among others, when answering the question.
Standing well above most of the pack stood the Chevrolet Corvette C8 with 94 percent of owners stating that they would absolutely purchase the mid-engine sports car again. This is not surprising given the absolute machine that Chevrolet has managed to develop. The C8 is a performance car that delivers an amazing experience to its driver, whether it's on the track or on the road. Few cars have developed a fan base quite like this automotive work of art has.
Chevrolet’s Mid-Engine Beast Delivers Supercar Performance At Affordable Prices
In developing the mid-engine C8 Corvette, Chevrolet set the standard high, aiming to spar with the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia, and boy did they deliver. The C8 has become a household name in American car enthusiasm, with few able to deny the sports car’s charm.
The C8 is an absolute bargain when you consider the level of performance that you get per dollar you spend. The sports car has a starting price as low as $66,000 dollars, which is an absolute steal when you are getting a 490-horsepower monster that can deliver 0-60 mph in under three seconds. It easily competes with cars that cost twice or even three times the amount that it does. This paired with its insane later grip make the C8 a beast around a track, hugging corners and breaking records.
A huge part of the appeal of this brilliant sports car is its ability to seamlessly come off the track and offer the comfort and reliability of a daily driver. The interior of the C8 has been improved to a point where the cockpit design surrounding the driver is built of only the highest quality materials. The brilliant ride and stunning look of the C8 make it any car enthusiast’s dream.
The future of the automotive world is looking more and more like it becoming fully electric; an exciting change, but one that leaves the thrill and character of combustion vehicles behind. This beautifully crafted mid-engine, V-8 sports car may be a dying breed, making it even more special. While demand for the C8 continues to stay strong the dealer markups were the only thing that really took a hit on the C8s appeal, but thankfully as the supplies resume, things are starting to normalize.
The Porsche 911 Follows The C8 Closely: The Runners-Up
The list of most satisfying cars is extensive and while the C8 stands in a class of its own when it comes to driver satisfaction, there are few cars that can compete. However, here are some honorable mentions from the list which have definitely lived up to their names and reputations.
The most important mention on the list aside from the C8 is the Porsche 911. There are very few people in the world who have driven a Porsche and been disappointed. The 911 held second place on the list, with 90 percent of owners stating that they would buy the sports car again. What makes this such an incredible feat is that Porsche’s 911 range is not small, with sports cars that cater to a number of different drivers. To achieve a 90 percent rating across all these different niche’s is definitely worth applauding.
Toyota makes the list twice, with its RAV4 Prime and GR86 both receiving excellent feedback. The 86’s sister car, the Subaru BRZ sits a place ahead of it. There were also a number of SUVs on the list, notable among which are the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 which sat at 3rd and 6th respectively.
In today's market, it's difficult to build a car that completely satisfies the consumer. With huge competition sprouting in every different niche, standing out has become a feat in itself. Chevrolet has, through years of fine-tuning, developed a car that is definitely first in class and is absolutely deserving of the title of the 'Most Satisfying Car in 2023.'