Genesis has achieved a No. 2 overall finish in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study, climbing seven positions from ninth place in 2025. This significant improvement reflects continued progress across the Genesis lineup and a strong showing in key vehicle segments.
Genesis delivered exceptional results across multiple categories, including top three finishes for the GV70 compact premium SUV, the brand’s best-selling model, GV80 upper midsize premium SUV, G70 compact premium car, and G80 upper midsize premium car.
These recognitions underscore the brand’s ongoing focus on craftsmanship, engineering, and owner satisfaction in the first 90 days of ownership.
Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America, stated Genesis continues to push forward with a strong commitment to excellence in every aspect of the vehicle ownership experience. As the brand continues to expand its product offering, they are pleased to see SUVs and sedans across the lineup receiving top accolades in industry tests. The JD Power rankings further highlight the relentless pursuit for excellence in quality and reinforce the trust customers place in the Genesis brand.
G80 Sedan Drives Brand Improvement
Driving the brand’s rise were substantial improvements from the G80 sedan. The model saw meaningful reductions in reported customer issues, with gains concentrated in infotainment systems, features and controls, and overall usability.
GV70 Achieves Third-Place Segment Finish
Finishing third in its segment, GV70 delivered significant year-over-year improvement across key quality categories, resulting in a third-place finish in the Compact Premium SUV segment. Its enhancements were primarily driven by refinements to technology interfaces and controls, contributing to a more intuitive and seamless ownership experience.
GV80 Posts Broad-Based Quality Gains
Finishing second in its segment, GV80 posted strong, broad-based gains across multiple quality attributes including infotainment, features/controls, and exterior, and ranked among the top performers in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment, continuing to demonstrate the model’s strength.
Barry Ratzlaff, chief customer officer, Genesis Motor North America, stated earning the No. 2 overall ranking in the JD Power Initial Quality Study is a meaningful milestone for Genesis and reflects the entire organization’s dedication to delivering vehicles of the highest standards. The continued momentum on GV70, GV80, and the sedan lineup highlights the ability to listen to customers, act quickly, and continuously refine the experience.
JD Power Study Methodology and Industry Findings
Overall industry initial quality improved significantly year over year, with fewer problems reported across nine of 10 categories evaluated. Initial quality is measured by problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership, with a lower score indicating higher quality.
JD Power’s 2026 study is based on responses from 78,514 purchasers and lessees of new 2026 model-year vehicles.
Infotainment is the only category showing increased challenges, driven primarily by smartphone connectivity issues such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.