Hyundai Sonata is Tops in Consumer Reports Reliability Survey

Hyundai Beats Toyota in New Consumer Reports Survey and Last J. D. Power Initial Quality Study

No doubt executives running Toyota, the worlds most profitable automaker, are experiencing greater concerns over South Koreas Hyundai than classic rivals Honda and Nissan.

After all, Honda and Nissan target a slightly different, more sport-oriented buyer than Toyota, one that South Koreas number one producer is successfully luring away from domestic and Japanese new car buyers due to lower prices, unique styling, attractive features and now, top-tier reliability.

This last point was made crystal clear when the brands Hyundai 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. In the same U.S.-based survey, the Hyundai nameplate ranked 7th out of 37 brands with 102 problems per 100 vehicles, which was second among entry-level brands behind 4th place Honda, with 99 problems per 100 vehicles, and 9th place Toyota, with 104 problems per 100.

While J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) showed Hyundai near the bottom of the barrel, ranked in 32nd of 37 nameplates, with 375 problems per 100 vehicles, the study surveys owners of three year old vehicles, and doesnt necessarily reflect the ownership experience a new 2005 model year buyer can expect.

Rather, the brands rise in J.D. Powers IQS, placing it ahead of Toyota, is a sign that its VDS scores are about to dramatically improve as well. Driving this point home is a new survey by another independent and highly influential organization, Consumer Reports magazine, which rates the Sonata highly to say the least. With only 2 problems for every 100 vehicles sold, Consumer Reports rates the 2004 Sonata as the "single most reliable vehicle" available.

This Consumer Reports rating, of course, has the Sonata besting Hondas Accord and Toyotas Camry for top dependability honors, as well as every other midsize rival on the market.

The Hyundai brand overall is also the entry-level class leader at 11 problems per 100 vehicles, tied with luxury nameplates Lexus, made by Toyota, and Infiniti, Nissans premium division.

So how did Consumer Reports arrive at its decision? The popular consumer advocate publisher surveyed its subscribers and came up with more than 810,000 responses of car owners and lessees, which incidentally is about 20 percent more than last years 675,000 respondents. This total is the greatest number of car owners surveyed by any independent organization, J. D. Power and Associates included, making the results all the more satisfying for Hyundais team of executives and employees as well as its many Sonata owners.

Additional rewards and accolades the South Korean automaker has racked up in recent years include a three-time victory of the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction award for the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle, for being the most satisfying mid-size SUV. Whats more, Strategic Vision has consistently recognized Hyundai products for both value and quality.

As well as ranking the Sonata first in its class, the 2004 J. D. Power IQS placed the Accent and Santa Fe second in their respective classes; Compact Car and Entry SUV.

Yes, Toyota had better keep an eye on Hyundai here at home and abroad. The South Korean automaker wont catch up to the Japanese giants global dominance for quite some time, or maybe never, but Hyundai will be a constant thorn in Toyotas side as it vies for many of the same customers by offering top-tier reliability, attractive styling, and with the addition of its upcoming all-new 2006 Sonata, enhanced performance and superb interior quality. The brands low prices and better than average warranty wont hurt its prospects either.