Genesis Climbs to No. 2 Overall in J.D. Power 2026 Initial Quality Study
The brand finished second among all nameplates this year, up seven positions from ninth in 2025, with the G80 sedan driving the gains, according to Genesis and J.D. Power.
Genesis finished second overall in J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study, up seven positions from ninth place in 2025, the automaker said, citing results from the research firm.
The brand attributed the rise primarily to the G80 sedan, which Genesis said posted meaningful reductions in reported customer issues, with gains concentrated in infotainment systems, features and controls, and overall usability.
Two Genesis models drew exact segment ranks, according to the company. The GV70, which Genesis described as its best-selling model, finished third in the Compact Premium SUV segment, and the GV80 finished second in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment. The G70 and G80 each recorded top-three finishes in their segments, the company said, without specifying a position for either.
J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study measures problems reported per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, a measure in which a lower score indicates higher quality. Genesis said the 2026 study was based on responses from 78,514 purchasers and lessees of new 2026 model-year vehicles. The release did not state a problems-per-100-vehicles score for Genesis.
The company also cited broader study findings: overall industry initial quality improved year over year, with fewer problems reported across nine of the study's 10 categories. Infotainment was the only category showing more challenges, driven largely by smartphone connectivity issues, according to the findings Genesis cited.
Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America, and Barry Ratzlaff, the company's chief customer officer, both called the result a milestone for the brand.
The rankings and study figures are J.D. Power's, as reported in the Genesis announcement. Pricing, sales figures and competitive positioning were not addressed in the release.