All-New Model’s Next-Gen Infotainment and Technology Options Increase Consumer Satisfaction

• Soul ranks highest in Multimedia Quality among all compact vehicles
• Award comes on the heels of Soul being named among the top 10 vehicles in the industry in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

 Kia Motors America’s (KMA) beloved urban runabout – the Soul – has been awarded Best Multimedia Quality in its award segment in the J.D. Power 2019 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study. The announcement follows Kia’s award as the highest ranked mass market brand in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for the fifth consecutive year, with the Soul recognized among the top 10 vehicles in the industry (1) 

The all-new Soul delivers unmatched style, peppy performance, thrilling technology and urban practicality, evolving the popular subcompact into the most advanced and innovative Soul yet. For the 2020 model year, the Soul offers impressive technology, including standard Android Auto(2)  and Apple CarPlay(3) and a suite of available options including: Bluetooth®(4) Multi-Connection, interior mood lighting, a 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen(5) with split screen functionality and a 640-watt Harman/Kardon(6) audio system – twice the wattage of the previous generation Soul. 

“Simply offering a variety of multimedia technologies isn’t enough,” said Brent Gruber, Senior Director, Automotive Quality Practice at J.D. Power. “In order to enhance the vehicle experience, owners want those technologies to be problem free and work as expected. In the compact segment no vehicle demonstrates that high level of multimedia quality better than the Kia Soul.” 

The J.D. Power Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study measures the experiences and opinions of vehicle owners regarding the quality, design and features of their audio, communication, entertainment and navigation systems in the first 90 days of ownership. Multimedia system quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality – the Kia Soul scored a 9.0 PP100. 

^[1] Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

^[2] Vehicle user interface is a product of Google and its terms and privacy statements apply. Requires the Android Auto app on Google Play and an Android compatible smartphone running Android™ 5.0 Lollipop or higher. Data plan rates apply. Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC.

^[3]Apple CarPlay™ is a trademark of Apple Inc. Requires a compatible Apple device sold separately.  Apple CarPlay™ runs on your smartphone cellular data service.  Data plan rates apply.

^[4]The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc., and any use of such marks by Kia is pursuant to license. A Bluetooth® enabled device is required to use Bluetooth® wireless technology.

^[5] Failure to pay attention to travel conditions and vehicle operation could result in loss of vehicle control. Always drive safely and use caution.

^[6]Harman/Kardon is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Inc.