When it comes to assessing the reliability of cars, JD Power is one of the most trusted names in the industry. Every year, JD Power releases its Vehicle Dependability Study, which looks at how reliable cars are in the third year of ownership. This year, JD Power’s 2018 study revealed some interesting findings about car reliability. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the study and explore what it means for car buyers.
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What is the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study?
The JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) is an annual survey that measures the long-term reliability of cars. The survey measures the number of problems that car owners have experienced in the third year of ownership. The study covers 177 different problems across eight categories. These categories include engine, transmission, interior, exterior, features/controls/displays, audio/communications/entertainment/navigation, seats, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
The study also looks at the dependability of cars from specific manufacturers. The 2018 study surveyed more than 80,000 original owners of 2015 model-year vehicles. The survey was conducted between October and December 2017.
Key Findings from the JD Power 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study
The 2018 study found that overall vehicle dependability improved by 4 percent compared to the 2017 study. The study also revealed that the most dependable cars were those from the Asian brands. The top three brands were Lexus, Kia, and Hyundai. The bottom three were Fiat, Jeep, and Land Rover. The study also found that the most dependable cars were electric vehicles and hybrids.
The Most Dependable Cars of 2018
The study revealed that the Lexus ES was the most dependable car of 2018. The Lexus ES scored a dependability rating of 95 out of 100. Other cars that made the top 10 list include the Kia Soul, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Honda CR-V, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Toyota RAV4, and Toyota Prius Prime.
What Does this Mean for Car Buyers?
The findings from the 2018 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study can be useful for car buyers. The study revealed that the most dependable cars are from Asian automakers. This means that car buyers should consider these brands when shopping for a reliable car. In addition, electric vehicles and hybrids are becoming increasingly dependable, which could be a good option for eco-conscious car buyers.
Overall, the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study is a great resource for car buyers. The study provides useful information about the reliability of different cars and can help car buyers make an informed decision when shopping for a reliable vehicle.
