• KIA continues to cement its place among the top 10 non-premium brands
  • Overall score increases 8 points since last year
(IRVINE, California) 3 August 2018 – KIA Motors has earned two more J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) awards for the stylish Rio and Stinger fastback. The double win helped increase KIA’s overall score by eight points since last year, while also securing the brand’s spot among the top 10 non-premium nameplates. The announcement follows KIA Motors being named the highest ranked mass-market brand in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for the fourth consecutive year, with the Rio also capturing a win in the small car segment.

The J.D. Power APEAL study measures new-vehicle owners’ overall satisfaction with their vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership. The results are divided into 10 categories and weighted accordingly: exterior, interior, storage, audio, seats, heating and ventilation, driving dynamics, powertrain, visibility, and fuel economy.

One of the most popular models in the global KIA model line-up, the KIA Rio outshined the competition in the small car segment, being one of the only contenders to score the highest marks in overall performance and design, comfort, features, and style.

The highest performing vehicle in KIA’s history, Stinger bested its more expensive European counterparts in the compact premium car segment. Announced for local introduction in April 2018, KIA Motors South Africa has presold nearly its entire allocation of Stinger for 2018 in a space of three months. The first Stinger customers in South Africa is scheduled to take delivery of their vehicles in September 2018.