Nov. 4, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kenmore Elite® line of dishwashers ranks at the top for customer satisfaction(1), according to a new study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The 2009 Kitchen Appliances Study analyzed customer feedback on performance, ease of use, features, style and feel, price and warranty, and ranked Kenmore Elite the highest in customer satisfaction for Dishwashers.

According to the study, which was based on responses from more than 11,000 customers who purchased kitchen appliances, the Kenmore Elite line of dishwashers achieved a customer satisfaction score of 810 on a 1,000-point scale.

"Any product developed by Kenmore® begins with one simple thing - a customer's need. We listen intently to our customers and translate what we hear into products that deliver on performance, innovation and value," said Betsy Owens, Kenmore brand's vice president and general manager. "Customer satisfaction is at the core of all that we do at Kenmore, and is one of the main reasons why the Kenmore brand has been able to provide trusted and reliable products for generations. This honor from J.D. Power and Associates further demonstrates our position as a market leader in the dishwasher category. We take our customers' opinions very seriously, so we are thrilled to receive this award."

The Kenmore Elite dishwasher line includes a range of ENERGY STAR® qualified products including the Kenmore Elite 24-inch built-in dishwasher, priced as low as $789.99 (# 13102). It has options such as Ultra Wash® HE wash system that saves up to 41% less water and 34% less energy(2) and TurboZone(TM) with rotating spray jets to tackle tough, baked-on soils with no pre-scrubbing or soaking. The line also features the top-of-the-line Kenmore Elite dishwasher featuring the Smart Display(TM) interface (#13163), which is priced at $1,549.99. This model is so quiet, at 46 dBA, you hardly know it is on. To help customers know the cycle status at all times since it is virtually silent , Kenmore brand introduced the Smart Display(TM) console that shows an animated visual representation of what is happening during each stage of the cycle.

"Kenmore has heard from a number of customers that are pleased with the technology that is available in the brand's latest appliances," said Owens. "For example, The SmartWash HE(TM) option in Kenmore Elite dishwashers measures each load's size and soil level and sets the optimal amount of time, water and energy to effectively clean the load.