Ad image

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Minnesota Dave
6 Min Read

New vehicle quality is at an all-time high according to the 2017 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study.

The J.D. Power study measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership. Along with ranking each automaker based on their performance, J.D. Power also recognizes the highest initial quality cars based on their segments.

SEE ALSO: Kia Edges Out Porsche to Top 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Here are the highest quality cars of 2017 based on J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study.

Small Car: Chevrolet Sonic

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Leading the small car segment this year is the Chevrolet Sonic. Also recognized were the Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit.


Small Premium Car: BMW 2 Series

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

For the small premium car segment, the BMW 2 Series edged out the BMW i3 and Lexus CT.


Compact Car: Kia Forte

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

This year, Kia had numerous highest ranked vehicles, with the Kia Forte taking the crown for the compact car segment. Tying for second place are the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Jetta.


Compact Sporty Car: MINI Cooper

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

There wasn’t much competition in the compact sporty car segment this year, with the MINI Cooper being the only model recognized in the 2017 study.


Compact MPV: Kia Soul

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Same goes for the compact MPV segment, where the Kia Soul was the only model recognized.


Compact Premium Car: BMW 4 Series

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

A competitive segment, the BMW 4 Series edged out the Lexus ES and Cadillac ATS for top honors.


Midsize Car: Toyota Camry

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

There’s plenty of reasons why the Toyota Camry is America’s best-selling car, and one of those reasons is its lack of issues within the first 90 days of ownership. Also being recognized this year is the Kia Optima and Nissan Altima.


Midsize Sporty Car: Ford Mustang

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

It appears Chevrolet Camaro owners are running into issues with their sports car, with the Ford Mustang claiming top honors in the midsize sporty car category. The Dodge Challenger is also recognized, leaving the Camaro the odd sports car out.


Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

With so few minivans left in the market, it’s no surprise the new Chrysler Pacifica was named the highest quality minivan. Also being recognized is the Dodge Grand Caravan.


Midsize Premium Car: Lexus GS

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

In the midsize premium segment, the Lexus GS beat out the Lincoln Continental and Audi A7.


Midsize Premium Sporty Car: Porsche 911

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

The only vehicle recognized in the midsize premium sporty car segment is the Porsche 911. No other midsize premium sporty car performed above segment average.


Large Car: Kia Cadenza

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

The competitive large car segment has the Kia Cadenza rising above the competition. Also recognized is the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima.


Small SUV: Kia Niro

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Owners of Kia’s newest crossover are finding little reasons to complain, with the Kia Niro named best small SUV. The Kia Sportage came in second, while the Buick Encore and Volkswagen Tiguan tied for third.


Small Premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLA

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

In the small premium SUV segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLA beat out the BMW X1. No other model in the segment performed above segment average.


Compact SUV: GMC Terrain

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

American automakers ruled the compact SUV segment, with the GMC Terrain sitting on top. Coming in second is the Ford Escape, while the Chevrolet Equinox finished third.


Compact Premium SUV: Porsche Macan

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

In the compact premium SUV segment, the Porsche Macan received top honors over the BMW X3 and BMW X4 models.


Midsize SUV: Kia Sorento

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Another winner for Kia, the Sorento is the highest quality midsize SUV, beating the Toyota Highlander and Buick Enclave.


Midsize Premium SUV: BMW X6

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Although the Porsche Macan beats BMW’s models in the compact premium SUV segment, the BMW X6 beats out the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne in the midsize premium SUV category.


Midsize Pickup: Nissan Frontier

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

There’s a lot to like about the Chevrolet Colorado, but the Nissan Frontier is the midsize pickup that has the highest initial quality. The Colorado however, does finish second, with the Honda Ridgeline coming in third.


Large SUV: Ford Expedition

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

The Ford Expedition finished on top of the large SUV segment, beating out the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia.


Large Premium SUV: Infiniti QX80

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

There might be a new Infiniti QX80 on the way, but the current-generation model is doing just fine. The QX80 edges out the Lincoln Navigator and Mercedes-Benz GLS in the large premium SUV segment.


Large Light Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

When it comes to large light duty pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado stands over the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra. Yes, the popular Ford F-150 doesn’t perform above segment average.


Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD

Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Which is little surprise to hear the Chevrolet Silverado HD also claims the large heavy duty pickup category. But Ford does show up in this segment with its Super Duty in second place.

Share this Article
Leave a comment