Lexus Tops J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

While American-built cars and trucks show vast improvement, imports still take home most of the accolades.

2009 Lexus LS 460

The quality of vehicles built for American consumers has once again improved, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which captures problems experienced by buyers within the first 90 days of ownership in two major categories: quality of design, and defects and malfunctions.

In fact, “new vehicle quality is at an all-time high,” says Dave Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power. “Nearly 71 percent of the vehicles in the survey showed some level of improvement between 2008 and 2009.” Looking more closely at the numbers, overall vehicle quality among 2009 models improved 8 percent compared with 2008 models, dropping from an industry average of 118 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles a year ago to 108 PP100 today. That’s the most significant year-to-year improvement since 2004. (Lower PP100 scores indicate a lower incidence of problems and, thus, a higher level of quality.)

View Pictures: Top-Rated Cars of the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates IQS

This bodes particularly well for anyone looking for a new ride, Sargent told MSN Autos. “It’s a fantastic time to buy. If you can square away the financing, there are plenty of deals out there and a huge number of high-quality cars.”

But the real story is in vehicle rankings. Imports won top honors in more than 83 percent of the vehicle categories, showing that America’s Big Three still have a ways to go if they want to compete with the European and Asian car builders.

Domestic Versus Foreign
While the initial quality gap between domestic and import vehicles is narrower than it has ever been, this year's IQS shows that imports still have the edge, capturing top honors in 15 of the 18 vehicle segments.

The numbers of problems per 100 vehicles in the car and truck segments are almost identical; the difference is really in the crossover offerings, where foreign automakers best the Americans by nearly 17 PP100, or 128 to 111 PP100, respectively.

Reviews

“Foreign automakers are simply more experienced at building car-based utility vehicles,” explains Sargent. “American automakers chose to start with larger truck-based sport utilities, while Asia and Europe went with car platforms and thus are more familiar with them.”

Even so, Chrysler’s, Ford’s and GM’s domestic brands have improved in initial quality by an average of 10 percent compared with 2008, surpassing the 8 percent rate of improvement by the industry overall, which is a step in the right direction.

Toyota Leads the Way
Toyota brands, which include Lexus, Scion and Toyota, truly outdid themselves this year. Collectively, they captured top honors in 10 out of the 18 vehicle segments (five for Lexus, four for Toyota and one for Scion).

Lexus, which ranked third in 2008, leapfrogged to the top of the IQS overall nameplate rankings, averaging a score of only 84 PP100. It received awards for the IS, GS, GX, LS and LX models. The LX also got the award for best in survey for the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 52 PP100.

Compare the Toyota Yaris with the Hyundai Accent and Honda Fit

Sargent says this isn’t anything new for Toyota’s luxury brand. “It has been No. 1 in initial quality 12 out of the 20 years this survey has been published. Toyota and Lexus are like Tiger [Woods] when he is in the top three going into the last round; they tend to win.”

Rounding out the top five behind Lexus are Porsche, Cadillac (which moves from 10th position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (improves from 13th in 2008 to fourth in 2009) and Honda.

Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to ninth in 2009.

Quality Better Right Out of the Gate
The study also finds that initial quality for newly launched and redesigned models in 2009 has improved compared with previous years. Typically, most all-new models get below-average levels of initial quality; not all of the kinks are worked out before the vehicles roll off the assembly line. However, several all-new models in 2009, including the Hyundai Genesis, Kia Borrego, Toyota Venza and Volkswagen CC, perform considerably better than their respective segment averages. Many redesigned models in 2009 also show notable improvement from the previous generation, particularly the Acura TL, Ford F-150, Honda Pilot and Nissan Z.

“Now that more manufacturers are getting their launch quality right straight out of the gate, consumers can expect the quality of new vehicles to continue to rise,” Sargent says.

Here are the official rankings . . .

TOP THREE MODELS PER CAR SEGMENT

Subcompact Car
Highest Ranked: Toyota Yaris
Hyundai Accent
Honda Fit

Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Hyundai Elantra sedan
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic

Compact Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Scion tC
Volkswagen GTI

Compact Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Nissan Z
Mercedes-Benz SLK

Entry Premium Vehicle
Highest Ranked: Lexus IS
Cadillac CTS (tie)
Infiniti G Sedan (tie)

Compare the Lexus IS with the Cadillac CTS and Infiniti G sedan

Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Lexus GS
Acura RL
Lexus ES

Midsize Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Ford Mustang

Large Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Lexus LS
Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Midsize Car
Highest Ranked: Nissan Altima
Pontiac G6
Chevrolet Malibu

Large Car
Highest Ranked: Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Chevrolet Impala

Compact MAV
Highest Ranked: Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (tie)
Honda CR-V (tie)
Mitsubishi Outlander

Midsize MAV
Highest Ranked: Chevrolet TrailBlazer (tie)
Ford Edge (tie)
Toyota 4Runner (tie)

Compare the Chevy TrailBlazer with the Ford Edge and Toyota 4Runner

Large MAV
Highest Ranked: GMC Yukon
Chevrolet Tahoe

Midsize Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Lexus GX
Lexus RX
Cadillac SRX

Large Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Lexus LX
Cadillac Escalade
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Large Pickup
Highest Ranked: Ford F-150 (tie)
Toyota Tundra (tie)
Chevrolet Avalanche

Midsize Pickup
Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Frontier
Ford Ranger

Minivan
Highest Ranked: Toyota Sienna
Honda Odyssey

Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2009 IQS

2009 NAMEPLATE IQS RANKING

Automaker	Problems per 100 Vehicles
Industry Average	108
Lexus	84
Porsche	90
Cadillac	91
Hyundai	95
Honda	99
Mercedes-Benz	101
Toyota	101
Ford	102
Chevrolet	103
Suzuki	103
Infiniti	106
Mercury	106
Nissan	110
Acura	111
BMW	112
Kia	112
Volkswagen	112
GMC	116
Buick	117
Audi	118
Pontiac	118
Scion	118
Volvo	118
Saturn	120
Mazda	123
Lincoln	129
Subaru	130
Dodge	134
Jaguar	134
Mitsubishi	135
Chrysler	136
Hummer	136
Jeep	137
Saab	138
smart	138
Land Rover	150
MINI	165

Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2009 IQS

For nearly two decades, New York-based writer and editor Chuck Tannert has covered everything from automobiles to gadgets to travel. Before joining the MSN Autos team, Tannert served as senior automotive editor at Cargo and Popular Mechanics, and his work has appeared in many outlets, including Men’s Fitness, Men's Journal, Penthouse, Popular Science and Wired.

In the market for a new car? MSN Autos is pleased to provide you with information and services designed to save you time, money and hassle. Click to research prices and specifications on any new car on the market or get a free price quote through MSN Autos' New-Car Buying Service.

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anatolevna

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:18:37 AM

Lexus = Overpriced Toyota, it is a good one

bimmerM3

Friday, July 17, 2009 5:12:27 AM

Lexus = Overpriced Toyota

TotallyAmerican

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:18:39 PM

Did J.D. say Tundra was better than Silverado?......Wow.....Conflicting opinions.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/reports-of-aggressively-rusting-toyota-pickup-frames-mounting/

The only thing "Superior about Foreign Auto's is their BS advertizing.........I see far to many Foreign Dealerships with full repair bays for me to believe "Superior Quality". Foreign cars have a long way to go to beat Quality American Content of Detroit. American content means American jobs. Wonder how we survived 100 years without "Superior Foreign Quality"?

personal1

Monday, June 29, 2009 12:58:39 PM

Where is BMW in all of this? Are they included?

Bankers wife

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 11:03:59 PM

REF:LOYALIST: Well, you are certainly welcome to you opinion. Although what you speak of was then, and this is now. Speaking historically though, you'd be hard pressed to prove in the long run that the U.S. car makers every really considered our safety and welfare. This is why they have continued building cars engineered in the 30-40's and have changed that basic structure very little, spending way more on flashy ads, body/design instead of R&D for a Better machine, which, after all is what Real Engineering is all about. Good luck with your loyalty though my friend; with the profits they've made by not spending they could afford much, much more on charitable causes, they sure haven't spent it on making better vehicles.

FreedomFighter20004real

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:26:55 PM

Get real! I'm on my fifth Jeep (all Grand Cherokee's) and every single one has had issues with it. 'Every' single one has had the brakes go out well before it was due and my current Jeep was in Chrysler's shop for over a month because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with the motor so had to rebuild it from scratch!! They gave me a Dodge Ram extended cab which was a total joke as well. I hope to buy a domestic car in the future but (not due to current financial issues) I will never be a repeat customer. I'm sick and tired of putting up with excuses. A little reminder, this article has nothing to do with history either so go by the facts not the past. If you're a real American, act like one "monkey a-)."

Forenza

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:08:14 PM

Ok so, I can cover both sides of the debate here. When i was growing up, my dad drove a Datsun/Nissan Pickup for 16 years. The Datsun had about 140k miles when he traded it in, the Nissan had 207k miles when he sold it (Nissan only had the driveshaft replaced at 205k miles...the only issue, it was 10 years old) He then bought a Honda Civic in 98, we disliked the car thinking the transmission was going, so we sold it. In 2000, he bought a Ford Ranger XLT, 4cyl. No big problems the 8 years he owned it. However, within the first 3 days of owning it, we noticed that it was missing 3 bolts (straight from the factory) on the rear bumper. That and changing the spark plugs was near impossible without some strange tool. The ergonomics were horrible and it had the worst designed turn single i've ever seen. (It crooked down??) He recently bought a 2008 Nissan Frontier SE V6, wonderful, great ergonomics. No issues yet.

My mom owned bought a Hyundai Excel in 1988, we replaced the water pump and the clutch in 90k miles. We traded it in, in 1995 for a Toyota Camry. Amazingly comfortable, great power, great gas mileage, great looks. No issues (minus the power antenna always going out). She bought a 2004 Acura TSX. The entire radio/climate part of the dash (1 unit), went out after 2 years. It was under warranty and a known recall. Still drives like new other than that with over 90k miles.

My first car is a 2005 Suzuki Forenza (aka Chevy Lacetti overseas). It's built with mostly Korean (GMDaewoo parts) and an Australian engine from Holden (also GM). Runs perfect, very comfortable, i did have 1 issues with the A/C unit stalling and killing the car, but other than that, perfect affter 4 years and 40k miles. I drive this wagon VERY hard.

My sister owns a 1999 Ford Taurus SE V6, thing is a tank. Tons of electrical problems. Paint is peeling badly. Headlights discolored. But it runs perfectly.

So i can say overall, I would prefer a foreign car, but If our American builders, beit GM or Ford, could bring some of their European models here, I would buy them in a heartbeat. The Euro styling is great, they're built well (think Chevy Lacetti/Suzuki Forenza) and are a good price. However, the current American selection is boring, too large, and too overpriced. They need to think economical, longevity and excitement. When you say, "Tahoe", "Expedition" or "Sebring" can you even start to correlate those? No. I am very much looking forward to Chevy in the next few years, and also Ford. I just may buy a domestic next, if they can prove they are worth it. (Without electrical problems and forgetting bolts) =)

FreedomFighter2000

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:28:50 PM

How soon we forget,it was the U.S. auto companies who donated money an resources when the World Trade Center was attacked.The foreign auto makers gave little or nothing at all. It was the the U.S. auto companies during WWII that converted their plants to manufacture military equipment to support this country during the war,so that your monkey a_ _ could be free!! And you show your gratitude by purchasing a vehicle where most of the money is sent overseas!Foreign is better is B.S.

czarn

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:54:36 PM

I am a Toyota owner, and always will be. In over 10 years my wife and I have owned a Camry, a Solara, and now a Venza, and have NEVER had a single problem with any of them. I'll put 50k on a car in a year, and never even so much as a wimper out of a Toyota. My parents are "American" car drivers, and they go through Chevys and Fords every 3 to 4 years on 25-30k per year driving. My uncles are non-union, read non-brainwashed, laborers and all are moving to Toyotas. Of my 5 uncles who have been in construction since before I was born, only 1 is still a non-Toyota guy. ANd he will be in the next year. For the Texas80 guy, the reason why your arguments make no sense is because they are contrary to the proof we have as to the number of issues. American car companies are going bankrupt because they pay their workers too much for what has become a mostly supervisory position over a robot. In the 50's it took training and skill. Now it's so automated a monkey can do it. You want to make $25/hr? Get an engineering degree. You want to make $13/hr? Screw in teh same 6 bolts all day with a machine that calibrates the torque, rotation speed, and force for you so you can come to work drunk and still not make a mistake. It's not a highly skilled labor position anymore. It's the way things are.

Texas80

#10

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:24:15 PM

Unfortunately they are in San Antonio. The people hired are making around $13.00/hr and working horrible hours, it is a **** sweat shop and no the money does not stay here. I am a native SA and believe me they have done many bad things and the majority of the locals want them OUT. Several of my friends tried it and they could not even make the mortgage on the house and quit after grueling hours of hell. They all are working in much better conditions for far better companies making no less than 25.00/hr. I wish people knew how bad it is but I am sure because of their arrogance eventually they will go down where they belong.

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