Top survey finds Kia Sportage is tops with owners

The Kia Sportage is tops with owners according to the latest published JD PowerWhat Car? owner satisfaction survey, writes Padraic Deane.

Out-ranking every other car in the survey the Sportage delivered the best in terms of ownership experience, according to the survey of more than 18,000 new car buyers.

Heading the Jaguar XF, Toyota Prius, Skoda Superb and the Mercedes Benz E-Class in the top five, the Sportage scored a ranking of 83.8 per cent among owners. The survey rates cars according to vehicle quality and reliability, vehicle appeal, dealer service satisfaction and ownership costs. All vehicles featured were registered between January 2009 and December 2010.

What Car? commented: “The Sportage was the only car in the survey to score five stars across all the categories. Thoughtful design, excellent reliability and sheer value for money helped Kia’s SUV to an historic double win as it is the first SUV ever to take the overall title, in its first year in the survey.”

And owners were reported as saying: “It is better looking than other SUVs and less expensive than most”, “This is one of the best looking cars ever”, “Am I going to trade mine in? I think not, friends, family, passers-by, they all love it”.

A Kia Motors spokesman told the Advertiser: “This survey talks to the most important people in the business – owners. We are delighted they have loved their Sportages so much and it bears out what we know from the demand for this car – that we have a winnr on our hands.”