6 of the World's Most Satisfying Cars

DETROIT (TheStreet) -- Cars built by U.S. manufacturers surged ahead in the latest new car performance study by J.D. Power, but European automakers upheld their reputation for turning out top sporty and premium models.

The firm's Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) study was released last week. For the first time since 1997, domestic auto brands surpassed import brands in vehicle appeal, the study showed.

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J.D.Power measured evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes by folks who owned new cars for more than 90 days. Between February and May, J.D. Power surveyed more than 76,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year vehicles.

Ford(F) performed best, with rankings among the top three in five separate model segments. Five other brands got two segment awards each: Chevrolet, Audi, BMW, Mercedes- Benz and Volkswagen.

In the half-dozen categories involving premium or sporty cars, however, European automakers won five times. The only exception was the midsized sporty car category, in which General Motors' Camaro took the top prize (that's the Camaro pictured above).

Read on for the six premium and sporty car winners.