Luxury brands Lexus and Porsche lead the way for vehicle dependability but if you’re interested in mainstream nameplates, Toyota is best pick, J.D. Power ratings reveal.
The auto research firm’s 2017 vehicle dependability study examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2014 model-year) vehicles.
It generates an overall dependability score of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in order to compare vehicle brands and models.
While Lexus and Porsche topped the list on 110 PP100 each, Toyota scored 123 PP100 and Toyota Motor Corporation as a whole, including both Toyota and Lexus marques, claimed 10 out of 18 individual segment awards.
These included the country’s best-selling car, the Camry, for the midsize car segment.
In fact, when it comes to top sellers, the study showed that the 10 best-selling 2014 model-year vehicles average a score of 134, beating the industry average 156 PP100.
“While many expensive and niche vehicles do have excellent quality, the fact is that most consumers are shopping in the high-volume mainstream segments,” said Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power, in a statement. “The good news is that consumers don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a very dependable vehicle.”
Vehicle dependability affects consumers in a number of ways, impacting not only purchase decisions and brand loyalty, but contributing to higher residual vehicle values, too.
J.D. Power estimates Toyota residual values are about $750 more per vehicle than the average brand, for example.
Take a look at how the brands and models fair in J.D. Power’s vehicle dependability study results below.
Vehicle dependability by nameplate (PP100)
Lexus – 110
Porsche – 110
Toyota – 123
Buick – 126
Mercedes-Benz – 131
Hyundai – 133
BMW – 139
Chevrolet – 142
Honda – 143
Jaguar – 144
Kia – 148
Lincoln – 150
MINI – 150
GMC – 151
Cadillac – 152
Audi – 153
Volvo – 154
Industry average – 156
Chrysler – 159
Subaru – 164
Volkswagen – 164
Mazda – 166
Acura – 167
Nissan – 170
Land Rover – 178
Mitsubishi – 182
Ford – 183
Ram – 183
Dodge – 187
Infiniti – 203
Jeep – 209
Fiat – 298
Most dependable vehicles by car segment
Cars
Small car – Chevrolet Sonic
Compact Car – Toyota Prius
Compact premium car – Lexus ES
Midsize car – Toyota Camry
Midsize sporty car – Chevrolet Camaro
Midsize premium car – Lexus GS
Large car – Toyota Avalon
SUVs, MPVs, vans and pickups
Small SUV – Volkswagen Tiguan
Compact MPV – Toyota Prius v
Compact SUV – Toyota FJ Cruiser
Compact premium SUV – Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
Midsize pickup – Honda Ridgeline
Midsize SUV – Toyota Venza
Midsize premium SUV – Lexus RX
Minivan – Toyota Sienna
Large SUV – Chevrolet Tahoe
Large light-duty pickup – Ford F-150
Large heavy-duty pickup – Chevrolet Silverado HD
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