Kia has long worked to deliver premium quality at an unshakable price, but with the release of this year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, the brand has taken a new triumph. In a study of the 33 makes in the United States, Kia had the highest rates for initial quality. If you are wondering what is the most reliable car brand to buy in the U.S., Kia models like the Sportage and Soul offered the fewest mechanical issues in the first 90 days of ownership.
This ranking is also the first time in almost three decades that a non-premium brand has taken this top place. Kia now holds a position of top reliability that usually only goes to elite (and therefore much pricier) brands.
The 2016 Kia Sportage and the 2016 Kia Soul won best-in-segment in the Small SUV and Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle categories, respectively. The Kia Sportage has long offered engaging handling and top technology, while the Kia Soul offers a fun-to-drive individual experience for not a lot of money, along with excellent family-friendly features.
Read More: Elite Sound System in the 2017 Kia Sportage
Other Kia models that ranked within the top three in their segments are the Kia Rio (Small Car), Kia Forte (Compact Car), and Kia Sorento (Midsize SUV).
“Ranking number one in the entire industry for initial quality is the result of Kia’s decade-long focus on craftsmanship and continuous improvement, and reflects the voice of our customers, which is the ultimate affirmation,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, Kia Motors America, in a recent Kia press release. “As the highest ranked brand in the industry, there is no doubt Kia is a world-class automaker.”
Here at Kia of Irvine, we are proud to offer these high-quality vehicles on our lot. This initial-quality honor shows that our vehicles offer minimal hassle and high value for owners, and deliver a high level of customer satisfaction. Check out our new Kia inventory today.