automotive

Kia, Genesis Tops In Dependability

Korean automakers are leading the way in vehicle dependability, according to J.D. Power.

Kia, Genesis and Hyundai earn three of the top four rankings in the newly redesigned J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. 

Buick and Toyota also make the list of the brands with the fewest reported problems after three years of ownership.

With vehicle shortages and economic uncertainty due to the pandemic, many owners are holding on to their vehicles longer, so long-term dependability is even more critical, says David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power.

Automakers are increasingly looking at owners’ relationships with their vehicles as similar to relationships with other technology, he says. 

“For instance, cell phones update all the time with over-the-air software releases and, increasingly, automakers must take advantage of this approach to fix problems, improve features and add capabilities to keep owners satisfied,” Amodeo says in a release. “Automakers that are able to do this best will have a huge advantage.”

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The 2019 model-year vehicles measured in this year’s study were first examined in the J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Initial Quality Study. Seven of the 10 highest-ranked brands in the 2019 IQS are among the 10 highest-ranked brands in this year’s VDS.

The study, now in its 33rd year, has been redesigned to include features and technology available in current vehicles. The study covers 184 specific problem areas across nine major vehicle categories: climate, driving assistance (new in 2022), driving experience, exterior, features/controls/ displays, infotainment, interior, powertrain and seats.

The study also now measures satisfaction with the vehicle’s condition after three years of usage, whether owners find their vehicle as appealing now as when they first bought it, and what software updates have been made to the vehicle.

For a second consecutive year, the Porsche 911 is the highest-ranked model in the study. This is the third time in the past four years that the 911 has earned this honor, a remarkable achievement.

Kia ranks highest overall in vehicle dependability. This is the first year Kia led the overall ranking, after ranking third overall in 2021. Other mass market brands ranking high for vehicle dependability include Buick, Hyundai, Toyota and Dodge.

Genesis ranks highest in the premium segment, followed by Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac and Lincoln.

General Motors and Toyota each receive five segment awards for models with the fewest reported problems in their respective segments. 

General Motors receives segment awards for the Buick Encore, Buick Envision, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Silverado HD and Chevrolet Suburban. Toyota receives segment awards for the Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Lexus UX, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Tundra.

Hyundai Motor Group receives three segment awards for the Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sorento.

The 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from 29,487 original owners of 2019 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded from July 2021 through November 2021.

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