Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's No. 2 carmaker, said Thursday it has ranked highest among nameplates in a U.S. quality test, beating Porsche and other premium brands.

"Kia ranks highest in initial quality with a score of 83 PP100, the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings," J.D. Power and Associates, a U.S.-based marketing information service company, said in the 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study, referring to problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100).

The study examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

"It is also the second consecutive year that Kia, which ranked second in 2015, has led all non-premium makes in initial quality," said the U.S. company, adding that non-premium brands had fewer problems than premium brands for the first time since 2006.

Porsche ranked second among nameplates in the quality test with 84 PP100, followed by Hyundai Motor (92 PP100), Toyota Motor (93 PP100) and BMW (94 PP100).

J.D. Power and Associates said Hyundai and Kia models that ranked highest in their segments are the Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Azera, Kia Soul and Kia Sportage.

Hyundai and its smaller affiliate Kia, which together form the world's fifth-largest automaker, said the latest quality test could boost sales of their vehicles and improve their brands.

The quality study is based on responses from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study was fielded from February through May. (Yonhap)