Kia Ranks Second among All Industry Brands in Initial Quality; Kia Soul and Sorento Rank Highest in Segment in Initial Quality

Source: JD Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS)

 
Achieves Highest Score among Non-Luxury Brands

 
Korean automaker Kia has made steady improvements in quality over the years and is now among the industry’s quality leaders. In addition to a strong overall performance in the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS), Kia produces two award-recognized models that perform particularly well. This year, Kia receives two initial quality awards: the 2015 Soul in the Compact MPV segment, and the 2015 Sorento in the Midsize SUV segment.

2015 NAMEPLATE IQS RANKING
Problems per 100 Vehicles (PP100) • Lower Score = Higher Quality

Other nameplates included in the study (in alphabetical order): Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, GMC, Jeep, Land Rover, Mazda, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Scion, Subaru, smart, and Volkswagen.

Source: JD Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS)

Kia ranks second among 33 industry nameplates in initial quality. Additionally, Kia achieves the highest score among all Non-Luxury brands in the industry. Kia earns an overall score of 86 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in the 2015 U.S. IQS, which is 26 PP100 better than industry average and a significant 20-point improvement from 106 PP100 in 2014.

Kia ranks second industry-wide in initial quality and achieves the highest score among all Non-Luxury brands.

 
The U.S. Initial Quality Study, now in its 29th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study is also an indicator of long-term vehicle quality.

The 2015 U.S. IQS evaluates eight problem categories that comprise initial quality:

Exterior
The Driving Experience
Features/Controls/Displays
Audio/Communication/Entertainment/Navigation
Seats
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Interior
Engine/Transmission

 
The IQS measures both defects/malfunctions and design-related problems—features that may be operating as intended but are poorly located or difficult to use. As a brand, Kia has the fewest number of design-related problems among Non-Luxury brands and improves significantly year over year.

Kia Soul — “Highest Ranked Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle in Initial Quality” by J.D. Power

The Soul has both the fewest number of design-related problems and defect/malfunction problems in the Compact MPV segment.

 
The Soul, Kia’s unique multi-purpose vehicle, is the brand’s highest-performing model in the 2015 IQS. With a score of 77 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles*)—an improvement of 20 PP100 from last year—the Kia Soul ranks highest among six competitors in the Compact MPV segment and is among the 10 highest-scoring models industry-wide. The Soul has also received an IQS segment award three times since 2012. Additionally, the Soul outperforms the Compact MPV average (89 PP100) by 12 PP100. Furthermore, the Soul has both the fewest number of design-related problems and defect/malfunction problems in the Compact MPV segment.

* Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

The Soul improves significantly year over year in two categories:

Exterior—10.2 PP100 improvement
Interior—7.1 PP100 improvement
2015 COMPACT MPV IQS RANKING
Problems per 100 Vehicles (PP100) • Lower Score = Higher Quality

Source:  JD Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS)

Kia Sorento — “Highest Ranked Midsize SUV in Initial Quality” by J.D. Power

The Sorento has both the fewest number of design-related problems and defect/malfunction problems in the Midsize SUV segment.

 
The Sorento, Kia’s 7-passenger midsize crossover SUV, has steadily improved its performance in the Initial Quality Study. With a score of 81 PP100 in the 2015 IQS—a significant 26 PP100 improvement from 2014 and 33 PP100 better than segment average—the Kia Sorento ranks highest in its segment and receives an award in the Midsize SUV segment for the first time.

The Sorento improves significantly year over year in three categories:

Audio/Communication/Entertainment/Navigation—11.0 PP100 improvement
Engine/Transmission—6.4 PP100 improvement
Exterior—5.4 PP100 improvement