Some drivers choose a car for its style and flash, some for the sheer number of passengers and items it can carry. Others need a vehicle that can handle mountain roads or snowy highways.
But if there’s one thing any vehicle needs, it’s to be dependable: ready to start up and run smoothly when called upon.
J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study compares the quality of 2021 model year vehicles using responses from more than 30,000 owners after three years of ownership.
The study covers 184 specific problem areas across nine major vehicle categories: climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats.
Here’s a look at the most dependable cars, based on J.D. Power’s study for 2024.
Compact Car
In the category of compact cars, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Prius
As for the Toyota brand as a whole, it ranked second overall for dependability — and ranked highest among all mass-market brands for 2024. There were 147 problems per 100 Toyota vehicles, J.D. Power found, compared with the industry average among all brands of 190 problems per 100 vehicles.
Midsize Car
In the category of midsize car, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Hyundai Sonata
Midsize Pickup
In the category of midsize pickups, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Toyota Tacoma
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Ford Ranger
Large Light Duty Pickup
In the category of large light duty pickups, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Toyota Tundra
- GMC Sierra
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Ram 1500
Large Heavy Duty Pickup
In the category of large heavy duty pickups, the model that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 is:
- Ford Super Duty
- GMC Sierra HD
- Chevrolet Silverado HD
The Ford brand overall had 239 problems per 100 vehicles, placing it 23rd overall for dependability.
Compact SUV
In the category of compact SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Buick Envision
- Toyota RAV4
The Chevy brand as a whole had 174 problems per 100 vehicles, tying it for fourth place in dependability.
Small SUV
In the category of small SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Buick Encore
- Toyota C-HR
- Chevrolet Trax
The Buick brand as a whole ranked No. 3 for dependability, with 149 problems per 100 vehicles.
Midsize SUV
In the category of midsize SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Toyota 4Runner
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Toyota Venza
Upper Midsize SUV
In the category of upper midsize SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Buick Enclave
- Toyota Highlander
Large SUV
In the category of large SUVs, the model that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 is:
- Chevrolet Tahoe
No other vehicle in the category performed at or above the segment average, J.D. Power found.
Minivan
In the category of minivans, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Kia Sedona
- Toyota Sienna
- Honda Odyssey
Both minivans and SUVs are efficient options for families, but minivans win some drivers over with additional leg room and sliding rear doors, which make climbing aboard easier both for children and for those with mobility challenges.
Compact Premium Car
In the category of compact premium cars, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Lexus IS
- BMW 4 Series
- BMW 3 Series
While BMW took two of the three top spots in this category, the brand overall sits right at industry average — it had 190 problems per 100 vehicles, J.D. Power found.
Category winner Lexus, meanwhile, was the overall most dependable brand, with just 135 problems per 100 vehicles.
Midsize Premium Car
In the category of midsize premium cars, the model that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 is:
- Lexus ES
No other vehicle in the category performed at or above the segment average, J.D. Power found.
Premium Sporty Car
In the category of premium sporty cars, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Porsche 718
- Chevrolet Corvette
No other vehicle in the category performed at or above the segment average, J.D. Power found.
The Porsche brand as a whole ranked sixth for dependability, with 175 problems per 100 vehicles.
Compact Premium SUV
In the category of compact premium SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Lexus NX
- Cadillac XT4
- Porsche Macan
Small Premium SUV
In the category of small premium SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- BMW X1
- Volvo XC40
No other vehicle in the category performed at or above the segment average, J.D. Power found.
Midsize Premium SUV
In the category of midsized premium SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- Lexus RX
- Lexus GX
No other vehicle in the category performed at or above the segment average, J.D. Power found.
Upper Midsize Premium SUV
In the category of upper midsize premium SUVs, the models that ranked highest for dependability for 2024 are:
- BMW X6
- Porsche Cayenne
- BMW X5
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