Hyundai Motor Group Dominates US J.D. Power 2025 Quality Survey for Second Consecutive Year

Breaking Records: Hyundai's Historic Achievement in American Quality Standards

Hyundai Motor Group has once again proven its commitment to excellence by securing the top position in the prestigious J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study for the second consecutive year. This remarkable achievement places the Korean automotive giant ahead of 17 global automaker groups, demonstrating the company's unwavering dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.

The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, now in its 39th year since its inception in 1987, stands as the world's most authoritative quality survey in the automotive industry. The study measures initial quality by calculating the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, with lower scores indicating higher quality satisfaction. This year's comprehensive evaluation was based on responses from approximately 92,000 customers who purchased new vehicles between March 2024 and February 2025, covering 227 quality-related aspects across 31 brands including 18 mainstream and 13 premium brands.

Hyundai Motor Group achieved an impressive average score of 178 points, tying for first place among global automotive groups. This outstanding performance reflects the group's strategic focus on incorporating innovative convenience features and distinctive designs in their newly launched models, combined with continuous quality improvement efforts centered on customer satisfaction.

Individual Brand Excellence: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis Shine Bright

The success of Hyundai Motor Group extends beyond the overall group ranking, with each individual brand demonstrating exceptional quality performance. Hyundai Motor Company secured second place among mass-market brands with a score of 173 points, showcasing consistent improvement in quality standards. The brand's rise to second place among mass-market brands reflects the entire organization's relentless collaboration and focus on quality excellence.

Kia Corporation, the group's sister brand, achieved sixth place overall with 181 points, proving its superior quality engineering capabilities. This performance demonstrates Kia's commitment to delivering reliable and well-crafted vehicles that meet the demanding expectations of American consumers. The brand has consistently shown improvement in various quality metrics, particularly in areas such as infotainment systems, driving assistance features, and overall build quality.

Genesis, Hyundai's luxury brand, earned third place among premium brands with a score of 183 points, significantly outperforming the premium brand average of 232 points. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it positions Genesis as a serious competitor in the luxury automotive segment, challenging established European and American luxury brands with its combination of sophisticated design, advanced technology, and exceptional build quality.

Segment Winners: Santa Cruz and Telluride Lead Their Categories

Hyundai Motor Group's excellence extends to specific vehicle segments, where two models earned the coveted Segment Winner awards for delivering the highest quality in their respective categories. The Hyundai Santa Cruz claimed the top position in the Midsize Pickup category for the second consecutive year, reinforcing its reputation for bold design, everyday versatility, and exceptional quality. This unique vehicle, which bridges the gap between traditional pickups and crossover SUVs, has consistently impressed customers with its refined driving dynamics, clever storage solutions, and technology-packed interior.

The Kia Telluride secured first place in the Upper Midsize SUV segment, demonstrating the brand's ability to compete effectively in one of the most competitive automotive categories. The Telluride has become a standout success story for Kia in the American market, combining three-row seating capability with premium features and robust build quality. Its success reflects Kia's evolution from a value-oriented brand to a manufacturer capable of delivering premium experiences at competitive prices.

Additionally, several other Hyundai Motor Group vehicles achieved notable rankings in their segments. The Hyundai Sonata finished second in the Midsize Car segment, while the Hyundai Elantra secured third place in the Compact Car category. The Hyundai Palisade also earned third place in the Upper Midsize SUV segment, further demonstrating the group's comprehensive approach to quality across its entire lineup.

Manufacturing Excellence: Global Production Quality Recognition

Beyond vehicle-specific achievements, Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to quality extends to its manufacturing operations, with three of the group's production facilities receiving J.D. Power Plant Awards for excellence in production quality. This recognition highlights the company's global manufacturing capabilities and consistent quality standards across different regions.

In the Asia Pacific region, Hyundai's Ulsan Plant 5 and Kia's Gwangju Plant 1 both achieved joint second place rankings, demonstrating the high standards maintained at the group's Korean manufacturing facilities. These plants have been instrumental in producing vehicles that meet the stringent quality requirements of global markets, including the demanding American market.

For North and South American operations, Kia's Mexico facility achieved joint third place, proving that the company's quality standards are consistently maintained across its international manufacturing network. This global manufacturing excellence ensures that customers receive the same high-quality vehicles regardless of where they are produced, supporting the group's reputation for reliability and consistency.

Market Impact and Consumer Response

The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study results serve as a crucial benchmark for American consumers when making vehicle purchasing decisions and represent a key indicator of competitive quality among manufacturers. Hyundai Motor Group's outstanding performance in this prestigious survey is expected to significantly enhance its competitiveness in the North American market, where quality perception plays a vital role in consumer choice.

American automotive enthusiasts and industry observers have responded positively to Hyundai Motor Group's achievements, with many noting the remarkable transformation of Korean automotive brands over the past decade. Online automotive communities and forums have praised the group's consistent improvement in quality metrics, with particular appreciation for the innovative features and competitive pricing that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles offer.

The success has also been well-received in Korean automotive communities, where there is significant pride in seeing domestic brands compete successfully against established global competitors. Korean automotive blogs and forums have highlighted how this achievement represents the culmination of decades of investment in research and development, quality improvement processes, and customer-focused innovation.

Strategic Vision and Future Outlook

Hyundai Motor Group's success in the J.D. Power survey aligns with the company's broader strategic vision outlined in its Strategy 2025 plan, which focuses on becoming a leader in smart mobility solutions. The plan emphasizes four key areas: electric vehicles, urban air mobility, autonomous driving technology, and hydrogen fuel cell systems. The group's commitment to quality excellence provides a strong foundation for these future-oriented initiatives.

The company's electrification strategy is particularly noteworthy, with plans to achieve an 8-10% share of the global electric vehicle market and fully electrify its lineup in major global markets by 2040. The quality achievements demonstrated in the J.D. Power study provide confidence that Hyundai Motor Group can maintain its high standards as it transitions to new technologies and powertrains.

Looking ahead, Hyundai Motor Group is well-positioned to leverage its quality reputation to expand its market presence in North America and other key global markets. The company's spokesperson emphasized their commitment to offering the highest quality and technological excellence to meet the increasingly diverse needs of customers, building on the positive response from American consumers to continue striving for consistent quality improvements and innovation.