Hyundai Motor Group tops 2022 J.D. Power US Vehicle Dependability Study

By Kim Hyun-bin

Hyundai Motor Group is the top-ranked automaker in J.D. Power's 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), with Hyundai, Kia and Genesis ranking among the industry's top four brands overall.

Kia is the top-ranked brand overall, Genesis is the top-ranked premium brand and fourth brand overall. Hyundai Motor is ranked third overall, based on the VDS' problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) scoring criteria.

Hyundai Motor also took the top honors in the midsize SUV and midsize sedan segments with the Santa Fe and Sonata. Kia's Sorento took the top honor in the upper midsize SUV segment for the second consecutive year.

“We at Hyundai Motor Group hold long-term ownership satisfaction as one of the key benchmarks for success,” said Cha Seog-ju, head of the Quality Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “The VDS results speak to Hyundai, Kia and Genesis' dedication to delivering vehicles that not only excel in areas long-appreciated by owners, like design and driving experience, but also across innovative technologies that have become a crucial part of the overall ownership experience. We strive to maintain these high standards in all the vehicles we build.”

Based on the new criteria, Kia jumped two positions to take the top spot overall with a PP100 score of 145, beating the industry average by 47 points. It is the second consecutive year that Kia has claimed the top spot among mass-market brands, coming in third overall last year, behind two premium brands.

Genesis improved four positions overall this year, and three positions in the premium category with a top-ranked PP100 score of 155, beating the industry average by 37 points.

Hyundai Motor improved its rating by four positions overall for the 2022 study and one position in the mass-market category to place third, with a score of 148, beating the industry average by 44 points and securing its highest-ever ranking in the VDS study.

For the 2022 VDS, J.D. Power surveyed 29,487 customers in the U.S. across 32 automotive brands. Only verified purchasers and lessees of new 2019 model-year cars and light trucks registered for personal use were considered.