Hyundai’s Barry Ratzlaff (right) and Omar Rivera (center) accept the Santa Fe’s initial quality award from J.D. Power’s Robert Mansfield
Photo: Hyundai
For the second year in a row, Hyundai ranks high in a prominent industry study that tracks the quality and reliability of new vehicles.
Hyundai’s vehicles were rated No. 2 among non-premium brands in J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Initial Quality Study. Among all brands, Hyundai was rated No. 3.
At the individual model level, the new Hyundai Santa Fe won for initial quality in the midsize SUV segment. The Accent, Elantra, Veloster, and Tucson all finished second in their respective segments. The Kona and Sonata finished third.
“Hyundai owners and new car shoppers can have peace of mind in knowing that our new vehicle quality continues to be among the best in the industry,” said Barry Ratzlaff, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of customer satisfaction. “Our performance in the highly respected IQS study and our overall commitment to quality are a testament to the entire company’s dedication … to deliver the highest quality vehicles to our customers.”
Initial Quality Champ: Learn more about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
J.D. Power’s 2019 Initial Quality Study ranked the Hyundai Santa Fe No. 1 among midsize SUVs
Photo: Hyundai
Even though Hyundai was again ranked second in its category, it improved on its 2018 performance. J.D. Power tracks problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) over the first 90 days of ownership. Hyundai vehicles experienced three fewer PP100 than they did in last year’s study.
Hyundai’s overall score in the Initial Quality Study was 71 PP100, significantly better than the industry average of 93 PP100.
For this study, J.D. Power surveys customers on design problems and malfunctions they encounter in eight different categories. In two of these categories, seats and ACEN (audio, communication, entertainment, and navigation), Hyundai was ranked No. 1 for fewest problems.
This isn’t Hyundai’s first success of the year in a J.D. Power study. In the company’s 2019 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which rates quality and reliability over a longer period of time, Hyundai ranked No. 5 among non-premium brands.
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