Recently, J.D. Power released the results of their dependability study for 2023. This study, which is called the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, analyzed the amount of vehicle problems found on average in every 100 vehicles. This study found that the industry average hovers somewhere around 186 problems for every 100 vehicles on the road today. When it comes to the sedan class, this segment is so overlooked that the most dependable sedan, according to this study, isn’t even sold new anymore. Here is everything you need to know about the most dependable sedan you can buy today and why you can’t even buy the Kia Optima new anymore.

What is the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study?

The J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study ranks the most dependable automotive brands and models based on how many reported issues these vehicles have. This study has recently been expanded to include the reliability of a vehicle’s climate control, driving assistance, driving experience, exterior, controls, infotainment, interior, powertrain, and seats. J.D. Power reports that the 2023 study results show that infotainment systems continue to be problematic. Consumers also tend to appreciate vehicles that stay up to date with over-the-air technology updates.

Lexus, Genesis, Kia, Buick, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, and Toyota lead the pack in reliability, while Ram, Volvo, and Nissan show the biggest leaps in improvement from the last time this study was performed. When it comes to the vehicles that are the most dependable overall, the Lexus RX and Toyota C-HR are leading the industry.

What midsize sedan is the most dependable?

According to this J.D. Power study, the Kia Optima is the most dependable midsize sedan on the market. The Kia Optima is a fantastic midsize sedan that is incredibly dependable, but this sedan isn’t even sold anymore. The Kia Optima was sold from the 2001 model year through the 2020 model year, with the final generation, the fourth generation, being sold from the 2016 model year to the 2020 model year.

The Kia Optima is still on sale in the U.S. today, just under a different name; the Kia K5. Kia decided to rename the Kia Optima the K5 to standardize its model names across the world. Kia also reports that the K5 also follows the trend of performance vehicles holding a smaller abbreviated name like the BMW 330i or the Chevy Corvette C8.

What is the Kia K5?

The Kia K5 is Kia’s main midsize sedan offering, which is in direct competition with the Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, and the Honda Accord, to name a few. The K5 offers seating for five, solid fuel economy ratings of 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, and up to 290 hp. U.S. News ranked the K5 as the Best Midsize Car for the Money, with the base model starting at only $25,290 MSRP. According to GoodCarBadCar, the K5 seems stagnant in sales, possibly due to its unfamiliar name change.

With available all-wheel drive, supportive seats, a big trunk, and sporty ride quality, the Kia K5 leads the midsize sedan segment in value and style. Tack on that the Kia K5 is the next generation of the Kia Optima, J.D. Power’s most dependable midsize sedan offering, and the K5 looks like one of the best values in the sedan marketplace.