Kia Sorento Rises to Top of Class in UK JD Power Survey

Sorento is Only 4x4 to Score Maximum '5-Star' Rating

If you're still questioning whether the South Koreans build vehicles as well as the Japanese, all you need to do is look up

Are Korean cars dependable? Consumer Reports recently announced that the Hyundai Sonata is the most reliable vehicle available in the U.S. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada)

some recent third party survey information and your concerns will be put to rest.

Last month Consumer Reports (CR) announced that the Hyundai Sonata is the most reliable vehicle available in the U.S., eclipsing the Lexus LS 430 no less (see automotive news for Mar 15, 2005: Hyundai Sonata is Tops in Consumer Reports Reliability Survey), and before that the Sonata was awarded top Entry Midsize Car in the 2004 J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which came out last year.

The midsize Sorento has brought a lot of respect to the Kia brand name since its inception in 2002, winning award after award and a

Kia's midsize Sorento has won award after award and a lot of happy customers along the way. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

lot of happy customers along the way. To name a few, of the awards not the customers, it held the highest consumer rating voted by new car buyers in the 2003 Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) (see automotive news for June 13, 2003: Kia Sorento Receives Top Award for Quality), it was voted winner of the "Official Winter Vehicle of New England" competition by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) and won the prestigious 2003 "Drivers' Choice" Award for Best Mid-Size SUV (see automotive news for April 2, 2003: Kia Taking Its Sorento SUV to the Top).