Despite struggling on the business side, Ford is impressing new vehicle owners with its quality.

According to Strategic Vision's annual Total Quality Index report, Toyota and Ford tied for leading in the most segments with three vehicles each.

Toyota lead with its Yaris, 4Runner and Sequoia while Ford lead with the Edge, Mustang convertible and F-250/350 pickup trucks. The San Diego-based research firm Wednesday announced the 2008 results that are based on the ratings by new vehicle owners in 19 product segments.

"Ford is back, establishing its vehicle quality in the hearts and minds of its customers," said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision's automotive division. "The Ford Edge is one of the vehicles Ford can be proud of. By careful attention to key areas such as exterior styling, workmanship and performance, (which are the cues that signal quality for crossover customers), Ford is building vehicles that also build brand equity and perceived customer quality."

The Total Quality Index is the measure of new vehicle owner satisfaction. It asks buyers to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to performance and driving. It is much more than simply counting problems.

Toyota Motor Sales had two additional leaders with the Scion xB and the Lexus RX 350 (which tied with Land Rover's LR2); while Ford Motor Company added two additional wins with the Mercury Sable and Volvo C30.

"Innovation and thoughtfulness in functionality and design, keeping in mind how the customer will interact and use the vehicle, is essential," said Darrel Edwards, Founder and CEO of Strategic Vision. "Vehicles like the Volvo C30 and Toyota Sequoia are both terrific examples of providing customers with this 'functional luxury' in a very stylish design suggesting quality both on the inside and out."

Mercedes, Honda and Chevrolet brands each had two leaders: Mercedes leading with the S-Class and SL, Honda with the Odyssey and Ridgeline, and Chevrolet with the Corvette convertible and a tie with itself in full size trucks between the Avalanche and Silverado.

From three leads last year, Hyundai took the lead in only one segment this year with its Santa Fe in one of the most competitive automotive segments, the Smaller SUVs.

The Volkswagen Jetta, Chrysler 300C and BMW X5 were each TQI leaders. Also worthy of mention is the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu, now second in the highly competitive Medium Car segment.

"Over the past quarter century in the United States, customer perceptions of quality of domestic and Asian manufacturers underwent large swings," Edwards said. "Today, it doesn't matter if you are a Toyota or a Ford, BMW or Hyundai, each manufacturer has the opportunity and mandate to produce a product with the right cues of quality and create customer trust."

The TQI was calculated from the responses of 20,655 buyers who bought 2008 models in September, October and November of 2007. Strategic Vision has presented its TQI annually since 1995.

Buyers rated the following vehicles tops in their segments:

• Small Car: Toyota Yaris
• Small Multi-Function: Scion xB
• Medium Car: Volkswagen Jetta
• Large Car: Mercury Sable
• Near-Luxury Car: Chrysler 300C
• Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class*
• Small Specialty (under $25,000): Volvo C30
• Convertible (under $30,000): Ford Mustang
• Convertible (more than $30,000): Chevrolet Corvette*, Mercedes SL
• Minivan: Honda Odyssey
• Small SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe*
• Medium Crossover: Ford Edge
• Medium SUV: Toyota 4Runner
• Large SUV: Toyota Sequoia
• Near-Luxury SUV: Lexus RX 350*, Land Rover LR2
• Luxury SUV: BMW X5
• Standard Pickup: Honda Ridgeline*
• Large Pickup: Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, Silverado 1500
• Heavy Duty Pickup: Ford F-250/F-350*

* 2007 Total Quality Award winner