J.D. Power Study Identifies Models with Best Seats

A new J.D. Power study on seating and seat belt quality and satisfaction revealed that the Audi A3, Ford Escape and Edge, Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Cadenza, Porsche Cayenne and Toyota Tundra had what customers considered to be the best seating systems.

Called the J.D. Power 2017 Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study, the study covered over 77,000 new owners and lessees of 2017 model-year cars and light trucks. They were asked to rate the seating systems and seat belts within 90 days of purchasing or leasing the car. Vehicles were broken into seven segments. The models were evaluated on the basis of their score with regard to 22 attributes to measure seat quality, three measures of seat belt quality and 12 to measure satisfaction. They were scored on the basis of total seat problems per 100 within each segment, with awards being given to the seating system supplier.

Canadian auto supplier Magna emerged as the topper in three out seven categories with awards for the seating systems in the A3, Escape and Edge. Adient got prizes for the seating systems in the Cadenza and the Cayenne while Lear got the credit for designing the seating in the Chevrolet Cruze. Avanzar Interior Technologies scored highest for seats in the Toyota Tundra

J.D. Power said that the study was meant to supply automakers and suppliers with information on the quality and satisfaction levels related to their seating systems so that they can develop and market better seating systems. The information is also useful to customers who spend long hours behind the wheel.

Ford was the only automotive manufacturer to get awards in two segments, in the mass-market compact SUV category for the Escape and in the midsize/large SUV category for the Edge.