These Are the most dependAble new vehicles you cAn purchAse
Lexus tops list for fewest problems per 100 vehicles for seventh straight year
Dependability is rarely mentioned in new car reviews, in part because tracking and measuring that requires the honest input of thousands of genuine owners, not internet trolls.
However, J.D. Power does exactly that in the U.S. with its annual dependability survey, asking tens of thousands of original owners of three-year-old vehicles how dependable their vehicles have been over the last 12 months. Based on responses from 36,896 owners of 2015 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, J.D. Power measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles. Overall, the industry average improves in J.D.’s 2018 study to 142 problems per 100 vehicles, down from 156 per 100 in 2017.
Among manufacturers, Lexus topped the list for a seventh consecutive year with a score of 99 problems per 100 vehicles. Porsche ranks a close second with 100, while Buick ranks third with 116.
Among specific models, the following 2015 model vehicles ranked best — with the fewest number of problems — followed by the two runners-up. J.D. Power ranks, but does not provide a specific number, for each model.
Compact Car: Toyota Prius
The 2015 Prius is a five-passenger, four-door hybrid hatchback that more or less kick-started the hybrid segment in the late 1990s. Despite a lacklustre interior, the Prius could achieve a fuel economy rating of about 5.5 L/100 kilometres. Runners-up: Buick Verano, Nissan Leaf.
Small Car: Kia Rio
A city-friendly car with hatchback versatility, the 2015 Rio is powered by a 1.6-L four-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. Runners-up: Chevrolet Sonic, Nissan Versa. Compact Premium Car: Lexus ES
The sixth-generation Lexus ES rides on a lengthened chassis shared with the Toyota Avalon, allowing for more legroom and trunk space. It employs a 3.5-L V6 that makes 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. Runners-up: Infiniti Q40, BMW 4 Series.
Small Premium Car: Lexus CT
A luxury hybrid hatchback, the Lexus CT is known for outstanding fuel economy. Although the 134-hp, 1.8-L four-cylinder gas engine, electric motor and CVT were not quick, the CT was rated at 4.5 L/100 km in the city and 4.8 on the highway. Runners-up: BMW 2 Series, Acura ILX.
Mid-size Sporty Car: Dodge Challenger
Dodge refreshed the Challenger range in 2015, using the 1971 edition for inspiration. The car received new front and rear fascias that feature a split grille, like the one found on the ’71, plus LED tail lights and a vastly improved interior. Runners-up: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang. Mid-size Car: Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu was revised for 2015 in an effort to bring styling in line with its siblings, the Impala and Cruze. Four models came standard with a 196-hp, 2.5-L in-line four-cylinder Ecotec engine, while a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec four-cylinder, with 259 hp, was available on LTZ trims. Runners-up: Toyota Camry, Buick Regal.
Mid-size Premium Car: Lexus GS
A five-passenger luxury sedan with AWD, the Lexus GS is the Japanese automaker’s entry-level touring sedan. Thoroughly reworked for the 2013 model year, the GS came as a gas-powered all-wheel-drive model fitted with a six-speed automatic, or a rearwheel-drive hybrid fitted with a CVT. Runners-up: BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Large Car: Buick LaCrosse
An all-wheel-drive luxury sedan, the Buick LaCrosse came with a 304-hp 3.6-L V6 that made 264 lb-ft of torque. It was mated to a six-speed automatic. Runners-up: Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus. Compact SUV: Chevrolet Equinox
Revised for 2015 with minor exterior changes, the Chevrolet Equinox paired trim levels to the LS, LT and LTZ. Base models had a four-cylinder engine, criticized for being underpowered, but the LTZ’s 3.6-L V6 was quiet and refined, with 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. Runners-up: GMC Terrain, Ford Escape.
Small SUV: Hyundai Tucson
A front- or all-wheel-drive SUV with a 2.0-L or 2.4-L four-cylinder engine, the 2015 Hyundai Tucson was the last year of a design eclipsed by the current generation. It won the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s Best New SUV/CUV Under $35,000 award for 2011. Runners-up: Chevrolet Trax, Volkswagen Tiguan. Compact Premium SUV: MercedesBenz GLK-Class
Sharing a look with the largest SUV in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup, the GLK got its first major update for the 2013 model year. A dieselpowered, twin-turbocharged 2.1L in-line four was available in the GLK 250. Runners-up: Porsche Macan, Lexus NX.
Small Premium SUV: Audi Q3
By placing the engine crosswise, as opposed to the lengthwise orientation of the Q5, which takes up cabin space, the Audi Q3 is only slightly smaller inside than the Q5, most of the difference in rear-seat legroom. A 200-hp 2.0-L turbo-four is mated to a six-speed automatic. Runners-up: BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Mid-size SUV: Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse received a mid-life upgrade in 2013 that saw some new exterior styling and an upgraded interior with larger central touch-screen display, but underpinnings for the 2015 model remained unchanged. Runners-up: Buick Enclave, Hyundai Santa Fe. Mid-size Premium SUV: Lexus RX
In 2015, the Lexus RX came in three trims — Sportdesign, F Sport and RX 450h — and all were produced in Canada. A 3.5-L V6 engine powered the RX 350, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All RX models came with all-wheel drive. Runners-up: Lincoln MKX, Lexus GX.
Large SUV: Ford Expedition
A refreshed Ford Expedition returned for 2015 with a single powertrain: A 3.5-L EcoBoost V6 generating 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Runnersup: Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban.
Mid-size Pickup: Toyota Tacoma
Canada’s top-selling compact pickup truck, Toyota’s Tacoma was available in eight models, offering a choice of drivetrains, transmissions, cab and bed sizes to total 23 possible configurations. Runnersup: Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado.
Large Light Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado
All new in 2014, the Chevrolet Silverado came with a trifecta of engines — a popular 5.3-L V8, a 4.3L V6 and a 6.2-L V8 — in a range of body styles and bed lengths. Runners-up: Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra.
Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Ford Super Duty
Ford reworked its 6.7-L Power Stroke diesel for 2015, ratcheting up torque to 860 lb-ft. The engine also got a new exhaust manifold, more efficient fuel injectors and a larger turbocharger. A 6.2-L gasoline V8 was available for both F-250 and F-350 models. Runnersup: Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD.
Minivan: Honda Odyssey
All-new in 2011, the 2015 Honda Odyssey carried over from the previous year without substantial updates to the front-wheeldrive, eight-passenger minivan. All versions came with the same V6 engine, turning out 248 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Runners-up: Chrysler Town & Country, Kia Sedona.