J.D. Power just released its 2025 Initial Quality Study, IQS for short. This report card of sorts is an influential barometer of how well – or poorly, as the case may be – the automotive industry is doing at building vehicles without defects. This study is always fascinating to explore and is often loaded with surprises. And there was certainly at least one unexpected bit of news in the latest IQS.
Nissan Is No. 2, Has Some Segment Leaders
Toyota and its Lexus luxury division are known for building top-quality vehicles. For decades and decades, dependability is what this Japanese giant has hung its proverbial hat on more than anything else. Accordingly, Toyota is famed for building cars and trucks that just don’t quit. Unfortunately, Nissan does not have the same reputation, though that may be changing.
Surprisingly, the company was rated No. 2 in the latest Initial Quality Study, just behind Lexus. Shockingly, Toyota was well down the list, actually worse than the industry average, which is quite a shock.
J.D. Power’s IQS measures problems per 100 vehicles (PP100 for short) that are reported during the first 90 days of ownership. In the 2025 installment of this report, Lexus earned a score of 166, and Nissan was right behind at just 169. Toyota had a PP100 rating of 200, appreciably worse than the study’s average, which was 192.
Digging into the numbers, the Altima and Sentra sedans were both No. 1 in their respective segments, handily trouncing well-respected rivals like the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic. Additionally, the Rogue small utility vehicle, , and Pathfinder three-row SUV all landed in the top three of their respective vehicle segments. More good news for Nissan.
According to a release shared by the automaker, “Nissan’s recognition by J.D. Power as the top-performing mass-market brand in initial quality reflects the company’s customer-centric commitment to producing vehicles that deliver quality and customer satisfaction.” Indeed, with a showing like this, there’s plenty to be proud of.
More About IQS
J.D. Power’s influential IQS is now in its 39th year. This report is based on the responses of tens of thousands of people who purchased or leased a new 2025 model-year vehicle. The study tracks 227 problem areas in nine different categories. This covers everything from the seats and powertrain to infotainment issues, driver assistance technology, climate control systems, and more.
This J.D. Power study helps drivers find vehicles that have the fewest manufacturing defects. The automaker rankings are also valuable, pointing consumers to brands that are less likely to have issues in the future. Strong quality in the first 90 days of ownership is likely a good indication of long-term dependability.
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