The quality of Hyundai vehicles has improved markedly in the past year, underlining the South Korean carmaker’s relative success during the motor industry slump, according to a closely watched survey published by JD Power.

The California-based consultancy’s study, based on the number of new-vehicle defects after 90 days of ownership, puts Hyundai in fourth spot, behind three luxury brands, Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac.