Kia Tops J.D. Power 2016 IQS, Quality Rises For Brands Across The Board
After 21 years on the market as a car company, Kia Motors has topped this year's J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. This makes Kia the top company on the J.D. Power 2016 IQS study out of all 33 makes in the United States, marking the first time in 27 years that this list was topped by a non-premium vehicle brand. This year was also a good year for vehicle quality across the board. "Manufacturers are currently making some of the highest quality products we've ever seen," said vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power, Renee Stephens.
"Manufacturers are currently making some of the highest quality products we've ever seen," said vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power, Renee Stephens.
"Tracking our data over the past several years, it has become clear that automakers are listening to the customer, identifying pain points and are focused on continuous improvement."
"Even as they add more content, including advanced technologies that have had a reputation for causing problems, overall quality continues to improve."
Kia finished ahead of brands like Porsche, Hyundai, Toyota, and BMW. Those brands finished after Kia – in that order, too. Kia's first entry into the top 10 on J.D. Power's list back in 2013, and just this past year the brand ranked 2nd overall.
This rise in ranks in 2016 is due largely to the Kia Sportage and Kia Soul lines – Forte, Sorento, and Rio models also ranked in the top three positions for their categories.
1. Kia (83 PP100)
2. Porsche (84 PP100)
3. Hyundai (92 PP100)
4. Toyota (93 PP100)
5. BMW (94 PP100)
"Ranking number one in the entire industry for initial quality is the result of Kia's decade-long focus on craftsmanship and continuous improvement," said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, Kia Motors America, "and reflects the voice of our customers, which is the ultimate affirmation."
"As the highest ranked brand in the industry, there is no doubt Kia is a world-class automaker."
This is also the second year in a row in which Kia ranked first amongst all non-premium brands on J.D. Power's list.
J.D. Power's study this year showed that, for the first time since the year 2006, non-premium brands have had fewer problems overall than premium brands.
Model level awards went to General Motors with 7 awards, Toyota Motor Corporation with 6, and Hyundai Motor Company and Volkswagen AG received 4 awards each.
• MIDSIZE SUV 2016 Toyota Highlander• MIDSIZE PICKUP 2016 Nissan Frontier• MIDSIZE PREMIUM SUV 2016 BMW X5• LARGE SUV 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe• LARGE PREMIUM SUV 2016 Lincoln Navigator• LARGE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD• SMALL CAR 2016 Hyundai Accent• COMPACT PREMIUM SUV 2016 Porsche Macan• MIDSIZE SPORTY CAR 2016 Dodge Challenger• MIDSIZE CAR 2016 Toyota Camry• LARGE CAR 2016 Hyundai Azera• COMPACT PREMIUM SPORTY CAR 2016 Audi TT• SMALL PREMIUM CAR 2016 Lexus CT• COMPACT PREMIUM CAR 2016 Lincoln MKZ• COMPACT MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE 2016 Kia Soul• COMPACT SPORTY CAR 2016 Scion tC• LARGE LIGHT DUTY PICKUP 2016 Chevrolet Silverado LD• SMALL SUV 2016 Kia Sportage• MIDSIZE PREMIUM CAR 2016 Lexus GS• COMPACT SUV 2016 Chevrolet Equinox• MIDSIZE PREMIUM SPORTY CAR 2016 Porsche 911• CITY CAR 2016 Chevrolet Spark• MINIVAN 2016 Chrysler Town & Country• COMPACT CAR 2016 Toyota Corolla• SMALL PREMIUM SUV 2016 Audi Q3
You can see full results of this year's J.D. Power 2016 IQS at J.D. Power – and let us know if you find any results that surprise you!