Kia tops auto survey for the first time

Kia tops auto survey for the first time

<sniff> I'm so proud of Kia


DETROIT - The Kia Amanti was the highest ranked mid-size car in a customer satisfaction survey released Wednesday by J.D. Power and Associates, marking the first time an entry from Korean automaker Kia Motor Co. made it to the top of the list.

Porsche, Land Rover, Lexus, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti were the highest ranked nameplates in the study, which measures owners' delight at the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. All six brands received more than 900 points based on a 1,000-point scale.

Hyundai, Jeep, Subaru, Suzuki and Saturn were ranked lowest.
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Consumers continue to care most about what their vehicle looks like on the outside, the study found. But the importance of the interior's details — such as seats and comfort — have gained ground over the last five years.

This year's study included more brand new or totally redesigned models — 50, up from 43 in the 2004 survey.

Top-ranked vehicles

Following are the highest ranking vehicles in J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study.

Compact car: Mini Cooper
Entry Midsize car: Pontiac G6
Premium Midsize car: Kia Amanti
Full-Size car: Toyota Avalon
Entry Luxury car: (tie) Lexus IS 300/IS 300 SportCross
and Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mid Luxury car: Lexus GS 300/GS 430 (2006 model)
Premium Luxury car: Lexus LS 430
Sporty car: Ford Mustang
Premium Sports car: Chevrolet Corvette
Midsize Pickup: Honda Ridgeline (2006 model)
Light-Duty Full-Size pickup: Cadillac Escalade EXT
Heavy-Duty Full-Size pickup: GMC Sierra HD
Entry SUV: Kia Sportage
Midsize SUV: Nissan Murano
Full-Size SUV: Nissan Armada
Entry Luxury SUV: Lexus RX 400h (2006 model)
Premium Luxury SUV: Land Rover Range Rover
Midsize Van: Honda Odyssey
Full-Size Van: Chevrolet Express

Source: J.D. Power and Associates.

Automakers are finding it increasingly difficult to make their new models stand out from the pack as more and more designs hit the market, said Chance Parker, executive director of product and research analysis at J.D. Power and Associates.

Car buyers are becoming more attracted to vehicles with amenities such as innovative storage space, he said.

The study also found that models with high ratings from buyers generally stay on dealers' lots for less time before being sold. For example, the Honda Ridgeline, which took top honors in the compact pickup category, has stayed on dealers' lots an average of 24 days, compared to an average of 77 days for all vehicles in the category.

The study was based on responses J.D. Power received from more than 115,000 new-vehicle owners who were surveyed during the first 90 days of ownership.
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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