When buying a new car it’s important that you’re satisfied with your choice. Consumer Reports conducts user surveys to help make informed decisions about car purchases to better ensure satisfaction when car shopping. They ask various questions to measure the owner’s level of satisfaction. 

According to Consumer Reports, one Kia earned the unenviable distinction of having the lowest level of consumer satisfaction. Let’s look at the least satisfying Kia model of 2023 so far. 

Consumer Reports user surveys

The criteria Consumer Reports uses for its surveys are basic, yet informative. They ask consumers what they like and dislike regarding functionality and performance. People who have owned and lived with a vehicle can tell you what they like and dislike about the model you’re thinking about buying. 

The big question these surveys answer is, how likely are you to buy the same car again? This is referred to as the owner satisfaction score. This score combined with Consumer Reports’ own testing and reliability scores can give consumers the information they need for making an informed decision when buying a car.

The Kia Seltos scores low with Consumer Reports

With sales of over 2.8 million vehicles in 2019, Kia is South Korea’s second-largest automobile manufacturer after its parent company, Hyundai Motor Company. The Kia Seltos has become a popular model that has been on the market since 2019. Despite its popularity, it appears that only 48% of users who have bought the Seltos would buy it again. 

The Seltos is known for its excellent fuel economy and great value. With a base MSRP of $23,340 to $28,840, this SUV is one of the most affordable on the market. However, the Seltos scored very low for its ride comfort and road noise. It also scored very low on predicted overall owner satisfaction. The predicted reliability score was average, with the score based on data from the 2021 and 2022 models. 

What were the other models on the list?

In addition to Kia, there were also models from other brands that scored lower. For example, with the 2023 Jeep Compass, only 46% would buy it again. The Compass has a price range of $29,995 to $35,745.

One of the most surprising models on the list is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB. Only 39% of consumers would purchase this vehicle again. With a price tag of $39,800 to $51,500, the low score is definitely something to consider when purchasing this vehicle.

Another Kia made the list, the 2023 Kia Forte. 51% of consumers stated that they would buy this vehicle again. This small sedan received low scores on ride and noise comfort, which is clearly a point of contention among Kia consumers because this was one of the biggest complaints of the Seltos.

Kia is a popular car brand that has been around for many years. It offers great value for money, with its range of vehicles offering a variety of features and options at competitive prices. However, even with the most successful car brands, there is always room for improvement.