Toyota the most dependable mainstream car brand, says J.D. Power

 

 

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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