2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study Ranks Korean Brands Highest
The 2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) ratings are in, and Korean brands rank highest in both the mass-market and premium categories. Among mass-market brands, Kia scores highest with a reported 145 Problems Per 100 (PP100) vehicles. Genesis tops the list as the most dependable in the premium-brand category, at 155 PP100.
How J.D. Power Creates Dependability Ratings - Find the best car deals!
To arrive at these conclusions, J.D. Power surveys tens of thousands of verified, original owners of three-year-old 2019 model-year vehicles. The VDS collects owner feedback in 184 problem areas across nine major categories, including:
- Powertrain
- Infotainment technology
- Driving assistance technology
- Features, controls, and displays
- Climate system
- Seats
- Exterior condition
- Interior condition
- Driving experience
Based on this voice of the consumer data, J.D. Power determines which makes and models are most and least troublesome to their owners, rated on a 1,000-point scale with a PP100 score.
Top-rated Makes and Models for Dependability - Find the best car deals!
According to the 2022 J.D. Power VDS, the following mass-market brands provide the highest levels of dependability after three years of ownership:
In the premium vehicle category, these are the highest-ranked brands:
In each vehicle segment included in the study, these are the highest-ranked 2019 model-year vehicles. The first set covers mass-market brand cars and minivans:
- Compact Car – Toyota Corolla
- Compact Sporty Car – Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Midsize Car – Hyundai Sonata
- Midsize Sporty Car – Ford Mustang
- Large Car – Chevrolet Impala
- Minivan – Dodge Grand Caravan
These are the top-rated mass-market SUVs and pickup trucks for dependability:
- Small SUV – Buick Encore
- Compact SUV – Buick Envision
- Midsize SUV – Hyundai Santa Fe
- Upper Midsize SUV – Kia Sorento
- Large SUV – Chevrolet Suburban
- Midsize Pickup – Nissan Frontier
- Large Light Duty Pickup – Toyota Tundra
- Large Heavy Duty Pickup – Chevrolet Silverado HD
This list includes the highest rated premium-brand models for dependability:
- Premium Compact Car – BMW 4 Series
- Premium Midsize Car – Lincoln MKZ
- Premium Small SUV – Lexus UX
- Premium Compact SUV – Lexus NX
- Premium Midsize SUV – Lexus RX
- Premium Upper Midsize SUV – Porsche Cayenne
The most dependable individual model in the 2022 J.D. Power VDS is the 2019 Porsche 911.
Infotainment Systems Remain Top Source of Complaints - Find the best car deals!
According to J.D. Power, infotainment systems produce more than twice the number of complaints of any other category measured by the VDS, accounting for seven of the top ten most frequently cited problem areas.
The trouble spots, listed in order from most to least problematic, are:
- Built-in voice recognition system
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
- Built-in Bluetooth system
- Not enough power plugs/USB ports
- Navigation system difficult to understand/use
- Touchscreen/display screen in a tie with…
- Navigation system inaccurate/outdated map
Additionally, the 2022 J.D. Power VDS finds that, as a group, mass-market brands are more dependable than premium brands because their build quality now matches that of the more expensive vehicles, and they contain less technology.
Summary - Find the best car deals!
For 2022, J.D. Power redesigned the VDS to reflect the proliferation of modern technology in today’s vehicles. It also newly measures owner satisfaction with software updates.
David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power, explained the advantage to automakers who can provide vehicle owners with regular over-the-air software updates. In a statement, Amodeo said: “Automakers are increasingly looking at owners’ relationships with their vehicles as having similarities to other consumer technology. For instance, cellphones update all the time with over-the-air software releases and, increasingly, automakers must take advantage of this approach to fix problems, improve features and add capabilities to keep owners satisfied. Automakers that are able to do this best will have a huge advantage.”
For automakers, the implication is that by addressing owner complaints about technology, brands can improve their dependability rankings in the future. Learn more about all J.D. Power car ratings.
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