Kia Tops J.D. Power 2022 Dependability Study for First Time

The 33rd edition of the prestigious J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) brings a major surprise to the automotive world: the Korean brand Kia, long regarded as a volume manufacturer, has for the first time topped the overall reliability chart. The study assesses how well vehicles perform after three years of intensive use, focusing on 2019 model-year cars.

While these rankings are based on the US market and do not perfectly mirror the European reality—many models have different specifications or are not sold in Europe—they still offer a valuable overview of reliability trends shaping the auto industry.

J.D. Power 2022 Study Methodology

The J.D. Power reliability study is based on owner-reported failures after three years of vehicle use. Starting with 2022, updated evaluation criteria were introduced, aligned with modern technologies.

The research analyzes 184 specific problem areas, grouped into nine major categories:

• Climate factors - performance of climate control and heating systems
• Driving assistance - newly introduced category, evaluating ADAS systems
• Driving experience - dynamic behavior and ride comfort
• Exterior behavior - issues with bodywork and exterior components
• Controls/Displays - functioning of buttons and interfaces
• Infotainment system - the most problematic category
• Interior durability - quality of materials and finishes
• Drivetrain - engine, transmission, suspension, brakes
• Seats - comfort and durability

In addition to technical aspects, the study also evaluates owner satisfaction with vehicle appeal after three years, as well as the availability of software updates.

General results: mass-market brands outperform premium

The 2022 results show a significant shift in the automotive landscape. Mass-market brands record an average of 190 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), 14 points fewer than premium brands, which register 204 PP100.

This outcome can be explained by the fact that premium vehicles are equipped with far more complex technology, increasing the likelihood of issues. At the same time, the quality of mass-market brands has risen substantially in recent years, moving closer to premium standards.

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Infotainment system problems

A key finding of the study is that infotainment systems remain the industry’s largest headache. These systems average 51.9 PP100, more than double the next most problematic category.

This situation reflects the growing complexity of technologies integrated into modern vehicles and the difficulty for manufacturers to ensure long-term reliability of these systems.

Brand rankings

Kia achieved a remarkable feat by climbing two positions from the previous year and winning the overall ranking for the first time. The Korean brand posted 145 PP100, well below the industry average by a margin of 47 points.

Top 5 brands in the overall 2022 ranking:

1. Kia - 145 PP100 (mass-market winner)
2. Buick - 147 PP100
3. Hyundai - 153 PP100
4. Genesis - 155 PP100 (the best premium brand)
5. Toyota - 158 PP100

Premium brands performance

In the premium segment, Genesis (Hyundai/Kia’s luxury flag) led the ranking, followed by: 2. Lexus - 159 PP100 3. Porsche - 162 PP100

Porsche 911: the most reliable model for the third year

Porsche 911 retained the title of the most dependable passenger car for the second year in a row and for the third time in the last four years. This result reinforces the German icon’s reputation as an exceptionally reliable sports car.

The success of Korean brands

A notable aspect of the study is the dominance of South Korean brands. Kia Sorento secured first place in the “Upper Midsize SUV” category for the second year in a row, while Hyundai finished third in the overall ranking.

These results reflect the significant progress made by the Korean automotive industry in recent decades, evolving from an producer of economical vehicles to a maker of reliable and technologically advanced cars.

Study details

To achieve this comprehensive study, 29,487 US customers were surveyed, owners of vehicles from 32 different brands. All participants purchased new cars or light trucks for personal use, model year 2019.

The study focuses exclusively on passenger cars and light trucks, providing a detailed view of mid-term reliability for these vehicles.

Segment rankings

Compact Cars

1. Toyota Corolla
2. Chevrolet Cruze
3. Hyundai Elantra

Premium Compact Cars

1. BMW 4 Series
2. Infiniti Q50
3. Audi A5

Compact Sports Cars

1. Mazda MX-5
2. MINI Cooper
3. Hyundai Veloster

Full-Size Cars

1. Chevrolet Impala
2. Buick LaCrosse
3. Dodge Charger

Mid-Size Cars

1. Hyundai Sonata
2. Chevrolet Malibu
3. Kia Optima

Mid-Size Premium Cars

1. Lincoln MKZ
2. Lexus ES

Mid-Size Sports Cars

1. Ford Mustang
2. Chevrolet Camaro

Compact SUVs

1. Buick Envision
2. Kia Sportage
3. Hyundai Tucson

Premium Compact SUVs

1. Lexus NX
2. Lincoln MKC
3. Cadillac XT4

Large SUVs

1. Chevrolet Suburban
2. GMC Yukon
3. Chevrolet Tahoe

Mid-Size SUVs

1. Hyundai Santa Fe
2. Toyota 4Runner
3. Ford Flex

Mid-Size Premium SUVs

1. Lexus RX
2. Cadillac XT5

Small SUVs

1. Buick Encore
2. Kia Soul
3. Toyota C-HR

Small Premium SUVs

1. Lexus UX
2. Mercedes-Benz GLA

Upper Mid-Size SUVs

1. Kia Sorento
2. Dodge Durango
3. Chevrolet Traverse

Upper Mid-Size Premium SUVs

1. Porsche Cayenne
2. BMW X5
3. Mercedes-Benz GLE

Implications for the future

The J.D. Power 2022 study results mark a meaningful shift in the perception of automotive quality. The success of Korean brands and the stronger performance of mainstream brands relative to premium ones suggest the auto industry is becoming increasingly democratized in terms of reliability and quality.

These trends could influence consumer purchasing decisions and automaker strategies, which will need to adapt to rising expectations for long-term reliability.