Rio and Stinger named segment winners in J.D. Power 2018 APEAL awards

Kia Motors Corp., through its sole UAE distributor Al Majid Motors Co., is proud to reveal that Kia has earned two more J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) awards for its stylish subcompact and its powerful fastback sports sedan.  The double win helped increase Kia’s overall score by eight points since last year, while also securing the brand’s spot among the top 10 non-premium nameplates. The announcement follows Kia Motors being named the highest ranked mass market brand in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for the fourth consecutive year, with the Rio also capturing a win in the small car segment.

 Mr. Mohammed Khader, President of Al Majid Motors Company, commented: “Kia once again proves to be a strong contender among the top 10 non-premium brands with both the Rio and the Stinger exceeding the expectations of their drivers. Earning a J.D. Power APEAL award for both models demonstrates the level of dedication we put on delivering a superior combination of the desirable features and attributes today’s savvy car buyers want from their vehicles.”

Completely redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Rio outshined the competition in the small car segment, being one of the only contenders to score the highest marks in overall performance and design, comfort, features, and style. The highest performing vehicle in Kia’s history, Stinger, bested its more expensive European counterparts in the compact premium car segment.

The J.D. Power APEAL study measures new-vehicle owners’ overall satisfaction with their vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.  The results are divided into 10 categories and weighted accordingly: exterior, interior, storage, audio, seats, heating and ventilation, driving dynamics, powertrain, visibility, and fuel economy.