There’s a Clear Winner for Worst Car Brand in America

You mostly hear about J.D. Power’s ratings in car commercials: Most dependable midsize truck! Most reliable luxury crossover! But with the release of its 2019 Initial Quality Study last week, there are also clear losers.

According to the company’s study of new-vehicle quality, the worst car brand sold in America this year is Jaguar. A close second is its sister brand Land Rover, both of which are owned by India’s Tata Motors.

The study’s sample includes 76,256 people who either bought or leased a new 2019 model-year vehicle, and were then surveyed after just 90 days. As MSN writes, the data collection was relatively simple: “How many problems are there per hundred vehicles of each brand?”

Jaguar clocked in 130 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles). Land Rover came in at 123. MSN cites the Jaguar XJ as one of the least popular cars in America (which may be why it might become an EV). Their analysis also offers a reminder that the brand’s “mechanical problems are legendary” and it is niche in the U.S., with only 2,021 vehicles sold in May. 

Although, the most depressing part for both Jaguar and Land Rover is the fact that J.D. Power highlights them for being the two most-improved brands. Over 2018, Land Rover owners reported 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles and Jaguar owners reported 18 fewer. But they still came in last.

It’s not all bad news though. Here are some of the study’s other findings:

• The brand with the least problems was Genesis, part of the Hyundai Motor Group, receiving only 63 PP100 (or less than half of Jaguar). 
• Korea is the undeniable winner by country. The top three brands (Genesis, Kia and Hyundai) are all Korean, it’s the second year in a row these three are at the top (with 63, 70 and 71 PP100, respectively) and they beat everyone else by a long shot. The fourth place finisher is Ford with 83 PP100. 
• Lincoln is making headway (with its new lineup we’ve been impressed by) and came in fifth. It’s the first time both Ford and Lincoln (both underneath the Ford Motor Company umbrella) placed in the top five in the same year.
• We’ve talked brands, but what about specific car models? For the second year in a row, the Porsche 911 had the best score with only 58 PP100.

If you’re looking for an excuse to buy a brand spankin’ new Porsche, this is it.

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