Genesis, Lexus, Buick top dependability

Most people tend to prefer vehicles that start first thing in the morning without requiring an obscene amount of care and feeding.

For them, the industry group J.D. Power publishes an annual Vehicle Dependability Study.

This is a data-driven report measuring the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of their threeyear-old vehicles.

This year’s list, populated by vehicles sold new in 2017, is topped by Genesis, Lexus and Buick. Their PP100 scores of 89, 100, and 103 handily outstripped the industry average of 134. It is worth keeping in mind that the Genesis showrooms have fewer models and lower volume than most other brands on this list. In terms of individual vehicles, the Lexus ES sedan, with just 52 problems reported per 100 vehicles, was the highest-ranked vehicle in the 2020 study and the best model ever tracked.

For this study, the term “problems” doesn’t necessarily mean failing transmissions and apocalyptic rust issues.

Reported snags or difficulties with the infotainment system, for example, could earn brands a negative mark. This speaks to the ever increasing importance of manufacturers providing responsive and easy-to-use touch screens if they want to keep out of the J.D. Power basement.

Chrysler and Land Rover landed at the bottom of this year’s chart, with 214 and 220 problems per 100 vehicles respectively.

BRIAN HARPER The Genesis ranked first in three-year dependability by J.D. Power in its first year of eligibility for J.D. Power’s study.