Lexus leads among most dependable models of 2013

by Keith Morgan on Friday, March 11th, 2016

Lexus ES is the most dependable premium model overall, reporting the lowest average number of problems

The Lexus brand captured the highest ranking in vehicle dependability among all nameplates for a fifth consecutive year in the 2016 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS).

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) received six segment awards total, and four of the top 10 models belong to TMS. The study measures the number of owner-reported problems of 2013 model year vehicles in their third-year of ownership.

Lexus GS 350 F Sport

2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva.

2013 Buick Verano

 

 

In addition to the brand’s highest score in the overall nameplate ranking, Lexus received three segment awards. The Lexus ES is the most dependable premium model overall, reporting the lowest average number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) and was ranked highest in the Compact Premium Car segment. The Lexus GS was awarded for the Midsize Premium Car segment and the Lexus GX luxury utility vehicle was awarded among Midsize Premium SUVs, with the Lexus RX coming in second in the category.

The Toyota brand was ranked 4th overall and also received three segment awards. The Toyota Prius v was awarded for the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle segment, while the popular Toyota Sienna received the award in the Minivan segment. The Toyota Tundra led the Large Light Duty Pickup segment with a segment award.

Buick came in third overall with the Buick Verano outperforming every other model as the industry’s most dependable vehicle.

Sixty percent of the brand’s 2013 models ranked highest in their respective segments. In addition to the Buick Verano topping the Compact Car segment, the Buick LaCrosse was recognized as the segment leader in the Large Car segment for the second year in a row. The brand’s top-selling vehicle, the Buick Encore, ranked highest in the Small SUV segment.

Last year, Buick ranked highest among mass-market brands for the second consecutive year in the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Customer Service Index StudySM.

The Fiat 500 ranks highest among City Cars in the same study while the Ram Truck brand moved up six spots to rank eighth highest among all automakers for vehicle dependability.

The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Challenger also performed well, ranking second and third in the Minivan and Midsize Sporty Car segments, respectively.

The study examines owner-reported problems in the past 12-months by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles. It is based on responses from 33,560 original owners.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca