The irony!
J.D. Power announces its automaker rankings every year. J.D. Power releases its automaker rankings every year for the initial quality of new vehicles. The study covers the first 90 days of ownership and includes responses from more than 110,000 people who purchased or leased vehicles with the 2021 model year. The study focuses on specific areas within nine categories of initial quality. These include functionality, tech systems, and driving experience.
The survey includes all major U.S. automakers, except Tesla which is not allowed to be reported in certain states according J.D. Power. Ram is the winner with 128 problems per 100 cars (PP100). Stellantis sibling Dodge comes in second at 139PP100. Lexus follows at 144PP100. Mitsubishi is tied at 144PP100. Kia round out the top five at 146PP100. The lowest score wins, as you can see.
People might be surprised by the brands that populate the other side. Alfa Romeo is the best with a score 204. Volvo comes in at 210, and Volkswagen is at 213. Audi comes in second, with a massive drop to 240, but Chrysler is right at the bottom. Yes, the other Ram’s automotive sibling is the survey leader. However, it ranks last in terms of initial quality among automakers. There are two models available, one of which is able to recall the Bronze Age. This seems to have its downsides.
J.D. Power ranks automakers in addition to other categories. The J.D. Power survey ranks models in nine categories. With a score of 85 PP100, the Nissan Maxima landed at the top in its Large Car category. Other winners include:
| Category | Winner |
| Small Car | Chevrolet Spark |
| Small Premium Car | BMW 2 Series |
| Compact Car | Kia Forte |
| Compact Premium Car | Lexus RC |
| Premium Sporty Car | Chevrolet Corvette |
| Midsize Car | Nissan Altima |
| Midsize Premium Car | Cadillac CT5 |
| Premium Car of Upper Midsize Size | Genesis G80 |
| Large Car | Nissan Maxima |
J.D. Power has provided 2021 forecasts. Power points out that the 2-percent increase year-over year is slightly less than the 3-percent average over the past decade. This study reveals that customer frustrations with technology are the key to the change. It is particularly evident in the difficulties customers have with getting their smartphones to connect to infotainment systems, which seem to grow more complex every minute.