Kia Forte Named Highest Ranking in 2019 J.D. Power APEAL Study

Kia Motors has been getting a lot of good news lately, and we’re just going to keep hearing more with this automaker. The most recent news comes from trusted organization J.D. Power. As we enter the second half of 2019, J.D. Power will be releasing more and more data collected from its various studies. Today, we’re taking a look at the results of their 2019 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, and the Kia Forte compact sedan, one of Kia Motors America’s best-selling models, earned an award and was the highest ranked vehicle in the compact car segment.

The 2019 J.D. Power APEAL Study

Every year, the J.D. Power APEAL Study is conducted. This year, the study spanned from February 2019 to March 2019. Surveys were sent out purchasers and lessees of new 2019 model-year vehicles after at least 90 days of ownership. Out of all the surveys sent out, nearly 68,000 surveys were completed and returned. Taking a more emotional approach to the study, the 2019 J.D. Power APEAL Study measures an owner or lessees’ emotional attachment and level of excitement in relation to their vehicle, from applying pressure to the throttle and the vehicle’s response to their satisfaction with the vehicle overall. To build a complete picture of this, the study is based on more than 90 vehicle attributes that fall into ten categories: driving dynamics, visibility and safety, engine/transmission, audio/communication/entertainment/navigation, seats, HVAC, exterior, interior, storage and space, and fuel economy.

Vehicles earn a score based on a 1,000-point scale. With that being said, there’s some good news for everyone this year. Not only did the industry average increase by three points, but automakers are starting to close two important gaps. The first is the gap between luxury brand automakers and mass market brands – the two are only 35 points apart, illustrating that mass market brands are starting to match the quality of luxury brands. Second, the gap of satisfaction between cars and SUVs is shrinking – although cars continue to outperform SUVs for fuel economy and engine/transmission, SUVs have the advantage with driving dynamics; storage and space; visibility and safety; and seats.

The Kia Forte Ranked Highest Compact Car

“Kia developed the third-generation Forte to take on the toughest the compact segment has to offer and the result is a world-class vehicle that raises the bar in terms of styling, packaging and content…Earning back-to-back J.D. Power APEAL and IQS awards, the Forte demonstrates Kia’s high level of commitment to quality and the ownership experience.” – Michael Cole, chief operating officer and EVP, Kia Motors America

Kia Motors was named the highest ranked mass market brand in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for the fifth consecutive year earlier this year. In terms of the 2019 J.D. Power APEAL Study, the automaker overall earned a score of 817 out of 1,000 points. For the Kia Forte to be named as the highest ranking in its respective segment lever during the APEAL model awards is just another plaque on the wall for Kia Motors.

Kia models also placed in the top three for other car segments. The Kia Rio was named in the Small Car segment and the Kia Stinger was named in the Compact Premium Car segment. The good news keeps on coming.

Want to find top ranking Kia models like these? Come to Miami Lakes Automall Kia today.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media

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