The popular MINI Cooper took over the top ranking in the Compact Car segment from the Volkswagen New Beetle, which held the position since 1998. America's Most Loved New Vehicles by the Editors of MSN Autos.

Cadillac's first pickup truck earned the top spot in the Full-Size Pickup category.

Ford Motor Company captured five top rankings, including the top Entry Luxury Car category with the new Thunderbird.

Hyundai earned its first APEAL award with the 2002 Hyundai Sonata in the Entry Midsize Car category.

Americans love their vehicles. But what is it about these vehicles that they really love? More importantly, which cars and trucks do Americans love the most?
We found answers to these questions and more in a survey of more than 117,000 car and light-truck owners, conducted by automotive research company J.D. Power and Associates of Agoura Hills, Calif.

According to Power's 2002 APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution And Layout) study, Ford and Lincoln brands ranked the highest in five segments. Honda, General Motors and Toyota brands each received three top segment rankings.

"Ford's achievement is crowned by the Ford Thunderbird's impressive debut," said Brian Walters, director of product research at Power.

The T'bird took top honors for J.D. Powers' Initial Quality Study this year as well, which according to Walters, is "an exceptional achievement for a vehicle in its first year of production."

Also in its first year on sale, the popular MINI Cooper captured the top ranking in the compact car segment, replacing the New Beetle, which had topped the segment since its introduction in 1998.

The Audi TT was top of the premium sports car group, and Cadillac's Escalade ranked as most-appealing luxury SUV again.

And for the first time a Hyundai model topped an APEAL segment ranking. The redesigned Hyundai Sonata received the top ranking in the entry midsize car segment

Altogether, the APEAL study examines 17 vehicle categories. Results are based on responses from vehicle owners after three months of ownership. Among the areas probed are why consumers feel the way they do about their vehicles, and what they think about vehicle styling; engine and transmission; comfort and convenience; ride and handling; seats; heating, ventilation and cooling; cockpit and instrument panel; and sound system.

The 17 APEAL vehicle category winners for 2002 are:

Compact Car
MINI Cooper

Compact Pickup
Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Compact Van
Honda Odyssey

Entry Luxury Car
Ford Thunderbird

Entry Midsize Car
Hyundai Sonata

Entry Sport Utility
Honda CR-V

Full-Size Car
Ford Crown Victoria

Full-Size Pickup
Cadillac Escalade EXT

Full-Size Sport Utility
Ford Excursion

Full-Size Van
GMC Savana

Luxury Sport Utility
Cadillac Escalade

Mid-Luxury Car
Lincoln Town Car

Midsize Sport Utility
Toyota Highlander

Premium Luxury Car
Lexus LS 430

Premium Midsize Car
Toyota Avalon

Premium Sports Car
Audi TT

Sporty Car
Acura RSX

Source: J.D. Power and Associates