Lynk & Co Tops List of Best Car Brands in 2025 for Vehicle Quality

According to the authoritative institution J.D. Power’s “2025 Initial Quality Study”, the satisfaction of car buyers for the 2025 models has slightly increased compared to the 2024 models. The highest satisfaction comes from buyers of Lexus (Lexus, known as Lexus in Chinese) and Nissan, with these two brands respectively taking the first place in the premium market and mass market categories.

This 39th annual study by J.D. Power is the second time that actual repair data from franchised dealers has been included. This new set of data was added to J.D. Power’s metrics for the first time in the 2024 study. The research is based on feedback surveys from new car buyers and lessees 90 days after their purchase in 2025. 92,694 customers submitted survey questionnaires between June 2024 and May 2025 for this year’s study.

Respondents answered 227 questions about their new cars, covering 10 categories: infotainment; features, controls, and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; air conditioning; and an unspecified category, intentionally designed to encompass the latest repair data.

J.D. Power processed the survey results in terms of the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) encountered. The industry average is 192 PP100, slightly better than the 194 PP100 in 2024. Lower scores are better because they indicate fewer problems per 100 vehicles.

The average level for mass-market brands actually decreased from 181 PP100 last year to 187 PP100. However, the average score for premium brands significantly improved, dropping from 230 PP100 in 2024 to 203 PP100 this year. J.D. Power pointed out that this improvement is “largely due to Tesla”, but because of insufficient survey responses from Tesla buyers, Tesla was not officially ranked on the list. For the same reason, another electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian, was also not included in the official rankings.

Which car brands have the best new car quality in 2025?

The rankings and scores of major car brands in the 2025 J.D. Power New Vehicle Quality Study are as follows (the average score for all brands is 192 PP100):

• Lexus: 166

• Nissan: 169

• Hyundai: 173

• Jaguar: 175

• Chevrolet: 178

• Honda: 179

• Dodge: 180

• Kia: 181

• Buick: 183

• Genesis: 183

• Jeep: 186

• Subaru: 187

• Porsche: 188

• Ford: 193

• BMW: 196

• Acura: 198

• GMC: 199

• Cadillac: 200

• Toyota: 200

• Lincoln: 206

• Land Rover: 208

• Mercedes-Benz: 210

• Chrysler: 213

• Mini: 218

• Ram: 218

• Mitsubishi: 222

• Mazda: 225

• Volkswagen: 225

• Infiniti: 242

• Volvo: 258

• Audi: 269

• Tesla: 200

• Rivian: 274

J.D. Power also divided the survey results by powertrain type. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles had the most reported problems with a score of 237 PP100, followed by battery electric vehicles at 212 PP100, and internal combustion engine vehicles at 184 PP100. In the electric vehicle segment, Tesla had a significant impact, with its one model showing an improvement of 66 PP100 from the previous year’s study, raising the average for electric vehicles.

J.D. Power did not disclose the scores for each individual model on the market but listed the top-performing model in each category. General Motors had the most leading models in specific markets, with five: Buick Encore GX, Cadillac XT5, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado, and Tahoe. Ford had four models, including the Escape, F-150, Mustang, and F-Series Super Duty. Honda had three: Acura Integra, RDX, and Honda Odyssey. The Porsche 911 was the best-performing model in this year’s study with just 116 PP100; last year, this honor went to the Lexus LC.

Compact sedan: Nissan Sentra

Compact luxury sedan: Lexus IS

Small luxury sedan: Acura Integra

Midsize sedan: Nissan Altima

Midsize luxury sedan: Lexus ES

Midsize high-end luxury sedan: Mercedes-Benz CLE

Sports sedan: Ford Mustang

High-end sports sedan: Porsche 911

Small SUV: Buick Encore GX

Small luxury SUV: Audi Q3

Compact SUV: Ford Escape

Compact luxury SUV: Acura RDX