Consumer Reports
The brand rankings of Korea’s Hyundai Motor and its sister Kia Motors slipped compared to those a year earlier in the latest automakers assessment released by Consumer Reports magazine on February 25 (local time).
The US magazine said Hyundai placed 16th among the 23 high-volume car brands by getting 60 points. Kia came in at 15th by earning 61 points in the latest Car Brand Report Cards.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, flagships of the world’s fifth-largest automotive conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group, ranked 14th and 11th, respectively, in the 2013 estimate, showing slips from a year ago.
The magazine said Hyundai has great value for the money, and its vehicles make for comfortable rides, but its reliability fell below average. It said Kia continues to make improvements in every model it turns out.
Japanese carmakers occupied four slots in the top five, with Lexus and Acura finishing first and second, followed by Audi. Lexus got 79 points to top the list for the second straight year, with Acura and Audi receiving 75 points and 74 points, respectively.
Mercedes-Benz ranked ninth, with BMW and Volvo tying for 10th place.
By individual vehicle, Hyundai’s Santa Fe sport utility vehicle was rated as the best car pick for the midsize SUV segment, usurping Toyota’s Highlander for the title. The Tesla Model S was rated as the best overall car.
The rankings in Consumer Reports are assessed based on actual road-test scores and feedback from the magazine’s 1.1 million subscribers.