Kia Sub-compact Vehicle Earns Highest in Segment Honor in Initial Quality Study


According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS) released today, the 2007 Kia Rio/Rio5 ranked highest in initial quality in the sub-compact segment. This is the second consecutive year Kia Rio/Rio5 has received this honor. Completely redesigned in 2006, the study captures issues experienced by owners in two distinct categories -- quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions).

"The J.D. Power IQS awards are particularly significant since they are based directly on positive feedback from Kia owners," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. "Fresh on the heels of the Strategic Vision Total Quality Index(TM) honors, this honor further demonstrates the strength of the full Kia line-up."

In the study, the Kia Rio/Rio5 was honored as the highest-ranking model in the sub-compact segment at 102 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). The annual report measures 228 vehicle attributes across eight categories, including the driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality problem symptoms reported by vehicle owners.

For 2007, the Kia Rio and Kia Rio5 model lineup, which includes three trim levels for the four-door sedan -- Base, LX and SX -- and the Rio5 SX five-door, continues to offer the same combination of engine performance and fuel economy as the 2006 model. Rio and Rio5 also offer one of the largest interior volumes in their class, as well as six standard airbags, including full-length side- curtain airbags.

Kia Motors America -- the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea -- offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 retailers throughout the United States.

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Source: Kia Motors America