New J.D. Power Survey Reveals the Highest Quality Vehicles Sold in the U.S. for 2021
Each year J.D. Power collects consumer feedback on every significant vehicle on the market for their U.S. Initial Quality Study. The survey is designed to measure new vehicle quality within the first 90 days of ownership.
Now on its 34th year, the study examines 223 problems across nine categories: climate, driving assistance, driving experience, exterior, features/controls/displays, infotainments, interior, seats and powertrain.
Automakers around the world use this information to measure and compare their competitive performance – helping them to design and build higher quality vehicles.
Scroll down to see the top-rated vehicles in each category.
Highest Quality Small Car: Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent is a compact car with big style. It offers standard safety technology like forward collision avoidance assist and a rearview camera, and an array of features usually not found on cars in its price range including a hands-free trunk release. It comes with a standard three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Small Premium Car: BMW 2 Series
The BMW 2 Series is a blend of smooth acceleration, high-tech features, and excellent drive dynamics. The model comes in the buyer's choice of four powertrains and all-wheel drive is available. The 2 Series is available in gran coupe, coupe, and convertible body styles. It comes with a limited four-year/50,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Compact Car: Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is a small car that packs a high-quality punch. Buyers get a lot of bang for their buck, especially in mid-grade and higher trim levels. It is one of the few cars that is available with a manual transmission. The 2021 Forte comes standard with Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Compact Premium Car: Lexus RC
The Lexus RC is a muscular compact premium vehicle that comes loaded with the Lexus Safety System suite of safety and driver assist technology. Every RC also gets a 48-month/50,000-mile basic warranty.
Highest Quality Premium Sporty Car: Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette features a mid-engine configuration for its seventh generation. It's also gotten a completely redesigned interior that features high-tech features. The Corvette comes standard with Chevrolet's three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Highest Quality Midsize Car: Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a versatile midsize car that comes in a variety of trim levels and is available with all-wheel drive. The Altima's spacious trunk combines with a 60/40-split second row to expand your cargo capacity in seconds. The midsize car comes with an array of entertainment and safety features, and a standard 36-month/36,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Midsize Premium Car: Cadillac CT5
The Cadillac CT5 luxury sedan is described by Cadillac's global design executive director as exuding "athleticism, sophistication and confidence". The CT5 can be equipped with Super Cruise hands-free driving technology, and comes in a high-powered CT5-V variant.
Highest Quality Upper Midsize Premium Car: Genesis G80
The Genesis G80 secured the most dependable midsize premium car for the third consecutive year in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. The luxury sedan delivers a connected driving experience and features intuitive technology. It comes with a five-year/60,000 mile warranty.
Highest Quality Large Car: Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima is one of the few large cars still on the market. For its 40th anniversary edition, the Maxima is offered in a unique two-tone Ruby Slate Gray Pearl or Super Black exterior to its bespoke interior featuring red Semi-aniline leather-appointed seats. All Maximas come standard with the company's basic 36-month/36,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Small SUV: Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is a funky hatchback that offers an excellent amount of passenger and cargo space for a model its size. The uniquely shaped model has a long list of desirable standard and available features. It comes standard with Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Small Premium SUV: Lexus UX
The Lexus UX merges traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary luxury. The premium SUV comes standard with advanced infotainment and safety technology. The UX comes with the basic Lexus 48-month/50,000 mile warranty.
Highest Quality Compact SUV: Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage SUV wears Kia's signature tiger nose grille. The Sportage comes with an array of features and upgrades buyers can choose from, including a Nightfall Edition trim with black roof rails. It comes standard with Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Compact Premium SUV: BMW X4
The BMW X4 is a compact SUV that gives buyers a sporty take on the traditional crossover. Its exterior design gives the X4 a bold foot forward. The standard sport seats and three-zone climate control provide personalized comfort in the X4. It comes with a limited warranty lasting four years/50,000 miles.
Highest Quality Midsize SUV: Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano is a five-passenger crossover that is easy on the eyes but more than just a pretty package. The Murano is equipped with a powerful engine, a long list of features, and comfortable seats. It comes with Nissan's standard 36-month/36,000 mile warranty.
Highest Quality Midsize Premium SUV: Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a versatile SUV with power-folding seats, a hands-free lift gate and unmistakable floating roofline. The crossover comes with a variety of safety features and security options. It also comes a standard 48-month/50,000 mile warranty.
Highest Quality Upper Midsize SUV: Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is one of the best three-row SUVs you can buy. The eight-seater midsize SUV is offered with a long list of equipment and features, and is now available in a Nightfall Edition trim level. It comes standard with Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Upper Midsize Premium SUV: BMW X6
The BMW X6 is a luxury crossover that offers a wide stance, horizontal contours, bold air intakes and sharp headlight design. The optional illuminated kidney grille adds to the distinction. The interior offers premium comfort with standard leather upholstery and exclusive interior trims.
Highest Quality Large SUV: Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia is a highly versatile SUV. With a towing capacity of up to 7,400 pounds and Toyota racing development suspension this large SUV can conquer serious terrain. It comes with Toyota's standard 36-month/36,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Large Premium SUV: BMW X7
The BMW X7 is the largest BMW utility vehicle ever made. The seven-seater has standard two-axle air suspension that provides driving comfort, while the adjustable height allows for easier entry and loading. The BMW X7 comes with a host of standard safety features and available driver assistance technology.
Highest Quality Minivan: Kia Sedona
The Kia Sedona is an eight passenger minivan with significant cargo space and adjustability. The Sedona comes with a large selection of standard and available safety features. It comes standard with Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Highest Quality Midsize Pickup: Jeep Gladiator
The off-road-ready Jeep Gladiator offers an impressive set of standard safety and security features with upgrades available. The 5-foot cargo bed and three-position tailgate allow for adaptable use of the back end. Each Gladiator comes with a three-year membership in the Jeep Wave program that provides complementary maintenance at no additional cost.
Highest Quality Large Light Duty Pickup: Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra's strong core allows for up to 10,200 pounds of towing capacity. This pickup truck is equipped with navigation and Amazon Alexa, among other features. It comes with Toyota's standard 36-month/36,000 mile warranty.
Highest Quality Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Ram 2500/3500
The Ram Heavy Duty pickup is designed for hard work. Buyers can get the truck with a 360-degree surround view camera with trailer reverse guidance view and adaptive forward lighting along. A range of passive and active safety and security features are available. Ram backs each new HD truck sold with a five-year/100,000 mile warranty.
