On some level, these rankings typically feel a little procedural: Toyota and Lexus always win. If it’s not those, maybe a Subaru wins for safety or owner satisfaction, or something. However, a pretty unlikely contender has shot up from out of nowhere to claim the top spot in J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study. Not only was that unlikely contender a Jeep Gladiator, but it beat the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma? This does not feel procedural.
Jeep Gladiator Tops J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study
Take a minute to digest that the Jeep Gladiator, in fact, has clinched the top spot in the Midsize Pickup category of the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), marking a significant win for Stellantis and reinforcing Jeep’s promise to focus more on customer satisfaction. According to the latest IQS results, the Gladiator outperformed the segment average in seven of ten key categories, including driving experience, infotainment, and interior quality.
This marks the second time in three years that the Gladiator has ranked first in its segment, cementing its reputation as a standout in the competitive midsize truck market. Its performance contributed to an overall 13-point improvement for the Jeep brand in the IQS, driven also by a strong showing from the Jeep Wrangler, which ranked second in the Compact SUV category.
Jeep Is Building Trust With Buyers
The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study surveys new vehicle owners within the first 90 days of ownership, tracking the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) to determine product quality across the industry. Lower PP100 scores indicate fewer problems and higher quality. Stellantis saw improvements across several of its brands in 2025, signaling a broader upward trend in customer satisfaction and quality control.
“We’re building momentum and, more importantly, building trust. These results show that we’re listening to our customers and putting them at the center of every decision we make.”
– Yuri Rodrigues, Senior VP of quality at Stellantis North America.
Dodge Was Another Stellantis Dark Horse
Dodge made the most dramatic leap of any brand in this year’s IQS, climbing 24 positions to rank seventh overall—a remarkable ascension that reflects improved build quality and attention to detail. Chrysler also made strides, reducing its problem count by 13 PP100 and placing second in the Minivan segment thanks to the Chrysler Pacifica’s continued success with families and fleet buyers alike.
Altogether, three Stellantis models placed in the top three of their respective segments, highlighting the company’s renewed focus on quality and customer feedback.
“These rankings aren’t just numbers,” Rodrigues added. “They’re proof that our commitment to improving the customer experience is working.”
TopSpeed’s Take
The strong showing comes as Stellantis pushes forward with ambitious product development and quality improvement initiatives across its entire global lineup. The gains in initial quality could help bolster consumer confidence and showroom traffic at a time when competition in key segments like midsize pickups and SUVs remains intense.
With the Gladiator leading its class and its stablemates close behind, Stellantis enters the second half of 2025 with a solid foundation—and a clear message to the market: the quality gap is closing fast.
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