Not only do they look good, but new arrivals from Korea are more reliable too.
Thanks to products such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and more, the South Korean manufacturers operating in the USA have scored top marks in this year's JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Kia scored the best ratings in the mass-market segments with 145 Problems Per 100 cars (PP100) while Genesis proved to be the most favorable product in the premium category with a 155 PP100 result.
JD Power surveys are based on input provided by several original owners of cars that have been purchased over the last three years. Tens of thousands of these participants are selected through a stringent verification process to generate feedback surrounding 184 issues in nine categories. These include the powertrain, infotainment technology, driving assistance technology, features, controls and display, climate system, seats, exterior condition, interior condition, and driving experience.
Using these parameters through consumer-sourced data, JD Power can get an idea of which cars are the most reliable. The rating is based on a 1,000-point scale and translated via the PP100 score. The 2022 results show us that after Kia, Buick sits as the runner-up for the most dependable brand at 147 PP100, but it's worth remembering that this brand doesn't sell very many cars. Hyundai follows this with 148 PP100 while Toyota holds fourth place at 158 PP100 and Dodge fifth at 166 PP100.
The premium sector sees Lexus follow Genesis with a 159 PP100. Porsche earns third place at 162 PP100 while Cadillac and Lincoln hold fourth and fifth with a score of 168 and 180 PP100 respectively. Despite Kia finishing first in the mass-market division, it was the veteran Toyota Corolla that scored the best results in the individual study for the compact car segment. The Hyundai Sonata earned the accolade for the most dependable midsize car.
To no surprise, the Mazda MX-5 Miata was awarded the trophy for the most reliable compact sports car while the Ford Mustang garnered the title in the midsize sports car category. The Chevrolet Impala boasts the claim of being the most trustworthy large car while the Dodge Grand Caravan claims the top spot for the now-niche minivan category.
In the SUV sphere, both the small and compact divisions are held by Buick with its Encore and Envision. The Hyundai Santa Fe scores the best reliability for the midsize segment and the Kia Sorento takes the prize in the upper midsize class. Heading up the large SUV section is the Chevrolet Suburban. In the truck category, the Nissan Frontier proved to be the most dependable model in the midsize range. The Toyota Tundra and Chevrolet Silverado HD earn the rights to the most reliable large light-duty and large heavy-duty segments respectively.
Over in the premium sector, the BMW 4 Series has been crowned the most dependable compact car and the Lincoln MKZ earns the trophy in the midsize car segment. Based on current market trends, premium SUVs are all the rave when it comes to demand. Lexus managed to clinch the win for the small, compact, and midsize segments with its UX, NX, and RX being granted the prestigious accolades, respectively. In the upper midsize SUV class, the Porsche Cayenne won the dependability trophy. The most reliable model overall, throughout segments, is the 2019 Porsche 911.
Looking at specific pieces of equipment, infotainment systems continue to cause headaches for many motorists as they have generated double the number of complaints compared to any other feature in the VDS. JD Power confirms that it accounts for seven of the 10 most common complaints from owners.
The troublesome aspects of the infotainment from the most to least complaints include irritants relating to the built-in voice recognition system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, built-in Bluetooth system, a lack of sufficient power plugs or USB ports, and navigation systems that are difficult to understand or use. Tied with an equal result at the bottom of the list are general touchscreen display complaints with navigation systems that are inaccurate or employ an outdated map.
The VDS also finds that mass-market cars are more dependable than premium products and that the build quality of more affordable cars now matches those that boast a higher purchase price. Less expensive cars also feature fewer pieces of technology that have the possibility of malfunctioning.
This year, JD Power included owner satisfaction surrounding software updates. JD Power director David Amodeo explains that the level of service manufacturers can provide to consumers via over-the-air software updates has been beneficial for the consumer, but clearly, some of the big brands need to catch up.
Keyword: World's Most Dependable Cars Come From One Country