Top 10 Best Car Brands in Initial Quality for 2018
J.D. Power has released its Initial Quality Study for 2018.
The annually conducted study examines problems experienced by original vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership, J.D. Power says. The ‘initial quality’ is determined by recording the number of problems a certain model experiences per 100 vehicles (PP100). The lower score, the higher the vehicle’s initial quality is.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Vehicles with the Highest Three-Year Depreciation
While not an indicator of long-term reliability, a vehicle’s initial quality is a good measure of how many small issues and problems it may experience over its lifetime. It’s worth noting that J.D. Power’s study takes into account tech-related issues, which account for many of the vehicle’s problems in the first 90 days of ownership. Problems related to infotainment systems were down in frequency compared to last year, although active safety systems, which are becoming increasingly popular in new vehicles, still proved to be a bit finicky on many new vehicles.
Let’s take a look at the best automakers for initial quality for the 2018 model year.
10. Nissan
Nissan was tenth in initial quality with 85 problems per 100 vehicles. This is a big win for the brand, which beat out Toyota, Honda and Mazda in initial quality.
9. Ram
A surprising appearance in the top 10 was Ram with 84 problems for every 100 vehicles.
8. Lexus
Lexus vehicles recorded 84 problems for every 100 vehicles, netting it eighth position.
7. Lincoln
In seventh was Lincoln with 83 problems for every 100 vehicles.
6. Chevrolet
Chevrolets experienced 82 problems for every 100 vehicles, landing it in sixth position.
5. Ford
Ford performed well in the study, with J.D. Power recording 81 problems for every 100 vehicles.
4. Porsche
Porsche, as always, ranks well in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality study with 79 problems experienced per 100 vehicles.
3. Hyundai
Hyundai recorded 74 problems for every 100 vehicles, netting it the first available podium position in the study.
2. Kia
Kia vehicles had just 72 recorded problems for ever 100 vehicles, landing it second in the rankings.
1. Genesis
With just 68 problems recorded for every 100 vehicles, Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand, Genesis, tops this year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. It was a clean sweep of the top three for the Korean brands.
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
More by Sam McEachern
Comments
Join the conversation
89 out of 100 cars or trucks have a problem at delivery? Or 1 out of a 100 has 89 problems? Which is it? Whatever - I dont believe this survey! Way too high a % with problems. Oh... maybe for the Detroit based union shops, but not for the Japanese / Korean products.