JD Power Satisfaction Survey 2006 - 4x4s

Eastern reliability and build quality showed the way in this class. Last year's winner, the Korean Kia Sorento, was top alongside the Japanese Subaru Forester.

The Japanese manufacturers held the monopoly in this class taking the top eight places, with the Land Rover Freelander and the old-shape Land Rover Discovery finishing 9th and 10th respectively.

Kia has now established itself as the name to beat in a category where six out of the 10 contenders finished in the top 50, but Land Rover must be hoping its new models will give the Japanese manufacturers a run for their money next year.

Class winners
Kia Sorento and Subaru Forester
Rating83.1%
Overall ranking 13th

Last year the Sorento made a bold entrance into JD Power. It finished 7th overall and top in the class. Its light still shines. It came 13th overall but once again finished top of the class, sharing honours with the Subaru Forester.

The Sorento is consistent. In two categories it was rated as excellent and in four others it received an above average score. It scored highly for comfort and convenience and for the quality of the service offered by Kia. There were few problems with mechanicals and the only real gripes were with the sound system.

Owners liked the looks, the cockpit and the interior. Add on the low running costs for the Sorento and you have satisfied customers.

The Subaru Forester was extraordinarily reliable. Right across the board there were very few problems with it. There were hardly any complaints in the cockpit or with the mechanicals. It has proved to be an extremely robust vehicle.

The Forester also received the highest scoring for its styling and its owners were very pleased with the low running costs. Some owners felt slightly disappointed with the performance and there were a few problems with the sound system.

Customers are pleased with the reception they get when they are booking in for a service – the score for the advice they got from staff was the highest in this class.

3rd Honda CR-V
4th Toyota RAV4
5th Hyundai Santa Fe
6th Suzuki Vitara
7th Nissan X-Trail
8th Land Rover Freelander
9th Land Rover Discovery

Click here for a manufacturers' league table.

Click here for a model league table.