Following are highlights for each of the 21 highest-ranked models in the 2010 Initial Quality Study:
Click a model name to view the profile

Sub-Compact Car
2010 Hyundai Accent

• Moves from No. 3 in segment in the 2007 and 2008 IQS, to No. 2 in 2009, and to highest-ranked in 2010.
• Accent also ranked highest in its segment in the 2008 vehicle dependability study (VDS).

Compact Car
2010 Ford Focus

• Moves from No. 11 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.
• Among the top 18 industry models overall in initial quality.

Compact Crossover/SUV
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

• Among the top 20 industry models overall in initial quality.
• Ranked highest in its segment in the 2008 APEAL study.

Compact Multi Purpose Vehicle
2010 Scion xB

• Moves from No. 8 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.

Compact Sporty Car
2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata

• Ranked highest in its segment in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 IQS, and again in 2010.
• Ranked highest in its segment in vehicle dependability in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 VDS.

Entry Premium Car
2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

• Moves from No. 6 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.
• Among the top 4 industry models overall in initial quality.

Entry Premium Crossover/SUV
2010 Acura RDX

• Moves from No. 12 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.

Compact Premium Sporty Car
2010 Volvo C70

• Among the top 6 industry models overall in initial quality.

Midsize Car
2010 Honda Accord

• Moves from No. 9 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.
• Among the top 12 industry models overall in initial quality.

Midsize Crossover/SUV
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

• Among the top 7 industry models overall in initial quality.

Midsize Pickup
2010 Nissan Frontier

• Moves from No. 2 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.

Midsize Sporty
2010 Ford Mustang

• No. 2 in segment in the 2006 IQS, and highest in segment in 2007.
• Maintains 2009 highest-rank position in 2010. (Note: this segment did not have an award in 2008 as too few models qualified for a ranking).
• Among the top 11 industry models overall in initial quality.
• Ranked highest in its segment in the 2006 and 2007 APEAL study.

Minivan
2010 Toyota Sienna

• Maintains 2009 highest-rank position in 2010.

Midsize Premium Car
2010 Lexus GS

• Maintains 2009 highest-rank position in 2010.
• Among the top 9 industry models overall in initial quality.

Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV
2010 Lexus GX 460

• Moves from highest-ranked in segment in the 2006 IQS, to No. 3 in 2007, to No. 2 in 2008, and to highest-ranked in 2009.
• Maintains 2009 highest-rank position in 2010.
• Ranked highest in its segment (in a tie) in the 2006 APEAL study.
• Ranked highest in segment in vehicle dependability in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 VDS.

Large Car
2010 Ford Taurus

• Moves from No. 8 in segment in the 2009 IQS to highest-ranked in 2010.

Large Crossover/SUV
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe

• Moves from No. 3 in segment in the 2006 IQS, to No. 2 in 2008 and 2009, and to highest-ranked in 2010.

Large Pickup (tie)
2010 Chevrolet Avalanche

• Moves from No. 3 in segment in the 2008 and 2009 IQS to highest-ranked (in a tie) in 2010.
• Among the top 16 industry models overall in initial quality.
• Ranked highest in its segment in the 2008 APEAL study, and highest in its segment (in a tie) the 2009 APEAL study.

Large Pickup (tie)
2010 GMC Sierra 1500

• Moves from No. 3 in segment in the 2007 IQS, to No. 4 in 2009, and to highest-ranked (in a tie) in 2010.
• Among the top 16 industry models overall in initial quality.
• Ranked highest in its segment in the 2007 APEAL study.

Large Premium Car
2010 Lexus LS 460

• Maintains 2008 and 2009 IQS highest-rank position in 2010.
• Has the lowest number of reported problems among all models in the 2010 IQS.
• Ranked highest in its segment in vehicle dependability in the 2008 and 2009 VDS.

Large Premium Crossover/SUV
2010 Cadillac Escalade

• Moves from No. 3 in 2008 IQS, to No. 2 in 2009, and to highest-ranked in 2010.

About the Study
The 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 82,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to identify problems, to drive product improvement, and to improve initial quality for new-vehicle buyers. The study was fielded between February and May 2010.