Scion tops in 16-to-35 crowd: J.D. Power

Compact, sporty imports top the list of cars with the highest percentage of young buyers, according to a new J.D. Power survey.

Acura, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Volkswagen made up eight of the ten cars bought mostly by those between 16 and 35 years old in 2012, according to the data from the firm's Power Information Network (PIN).

The Scion tC sport compact was the vehicle that came out on top overall: a full 50 percent of 2012 tC purchasers were under 35.

Volkswagen was one of the most popular brands among young buyers, with the Volkswagen Golf, GTI and Jetta all making the top ten list. Acura was the only premium brand to place.

The five-seat Dodge Charger was the only large, conventional domestic sedan on the list; J.D. Power chalks up its ninth-place ranking to its popularity with young families. It was also one of only three vehicles on the list with a base price above $30,000.

In order, the vehicles with the highest percentage of young buyers are:

the Scion tC, with 50.2 percent young buyers
the Mitsubishi Lancer, with 48.6 percent
The Volkswagen GTI, with 44.5 percent
the Acura ILX, with 40.2 percent
the Mazda Mazda3, with 40.2 percent
the Subaru Impreza, with 37.4 percent
the Volkswagen Jetta, with 35.2 percent
the Volkswagen Golf, with 34.7 percent
the Dodge Charger, with 34.7 percent
and the Acura TSX, with 34.3 percent

(J.D. Power)