2012 Kia Soul earns high owner marks in survey

The 2012 Kia Soul took the title of highest-ranking compact multi-purpose vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study this year, following feedback from new car owners who rated automobiles based on their quality of design and production.

The report captured vehicle assessments from drivers 90 days after their purchase. Overall, the 2012 study consisted of 233 vehicle models evaluated across eight categories, including engine and transmission, driving experience and a range of quality tests.

The positive results of the study come during a year when the Soul received several enhancements. A significant number of powertrain, style and technological improvements have been added to the 2012 model, which Kia claims has led to a 22 percent increase in sales from January through June.

Since its launch in 2009, the Soul has become responsible for Kia’s new direction in design and remains one of the company’s most popular vehicles, said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. “Kia Motors is dedicated to building world-class, high quality vehicles, and the Soul’s recognition in the automotive industry’s authoritative study on quality is the latest example of Kia’s maturity and momentum in the U.S. market.”