Kia has remarkably achieved first place in seven vehicle segments in the U.S. new vehicle APEAL (Automotive Performance Execution and Layout) study, proving its global competitiveness in product quality.
On the 21st, Kia announced that seven of its models topped their respective segments in JD Power’s “2023 APEAL Study.” This achievement marks the largest number of segment wins for a single manufacturer in the 28-year history of the APEAL study.
The 28th APEAL Study was conducted through surveys of customers who purchased vehicles sold in the U.S. from November last year to February this year (covering 32 brands and 197 models), three months after their purchase.
The evaluation emphasizes emotional aspects such as interior and exterior design, driving performance, infotainment convenience, safety, and economy, with scores based on a maximum of 1,000 points. A higher score indicates greater product satisfaction.
Kia’s models that achieved first place include: ▲Carnival (849 points) in the minivan segment ▲EV6 (861 points) in the compact SUV segment ▲Forte (K3) (841 points) in the compact segment ▲K5 (875 points) in the midsize car segment ▲Rio (807 points) in the subcompact segment ▲Stinger (884 points) in the midsize premium segment ▲Telluride (873 points) in the large SUV segment.
This recognition is particularly significant, as the Carnival and Telluride were selected as the best in the highly competitive minivan and large SUV segments in the U.S. automotive market.
The EV6, which ranked first in the compact SUV segment with 861 points, achieved the highest score among regular brand electric vehicles, significantly outpacing competitors like the Ford F-150, Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota bZ4X, and Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Additionally, the EV6 ranked second in the fuel efficiency assessment (APEAL Fuel Economy Index) measuring charging speed and driving range, trailing only the BMW iX, and has received top-tier evaluations in terms of economy, driving range, and charging speed.
A Kia representative stated, “The fact that seven of our models have ranked first is a result of ongoing efforts to satisfy customers from the initial stages of product development,” adding, “We will continue to strive for recognition of value from our customers across all aspects of product quality and performance.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr