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Japanese car makers continue to build the world's most reliable vehicles: Study

Washington , Fri, 28 Oct 2011 ANI

Washington, Oct 28 (ANI): Japanese car makers continue to build the world's most reliable vehicles, a latest annual survey by US magazine 'Consumer Reports' has revealed.

Toyota's North American youth brand Scion topped the rankings, with all but the last spot in the top 10 occupied by Japanese companies. Lexus was second, followed by Honda's luxury off-shoot Acura, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Infiniti, Subaru and Nissan.

The survey, which collated data from 1.3 million 2002-2011 model-year vehicles leased or owned by Consumer Reports readers, revealed that 96 per cent of Japanese vehicles rated Average or Much Better Than Average compared with a 64 per cent figure each for US and European vehicles, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Chrysler was the best performer of the domestic manufacturers, with Jeep jumping seven places to 13th and Chrysler and Dodge climbing 12 and three places, respectively.

Ford, which underperformed in J D Power's 2011 Initial Quality Study earlier this year, plummeted from last year's position of 10th to 20th. Consumer Reports said the blue oval brand had been "blemished" by 'Below Average' ratings for its Fiesta and Focus global small cars that are also sold in Australia, as well as its Explorer 4WD.

Key reliability issues for Ford revolved around its MyTouch infotainment system that's not yet available in Australia and its Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

General Motors' Chevrolet Cruze, known and built in Australia as the Holden Cruze, was recorded a below-average rating.

Jaguar, Porsche and Audi finished bottom of the brands for which Consumer Reports had sufficient data, though a mixed result for European brands saw Volvo place 10th.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW both moved up four spots but languish well down the table, in 18th and 19th.

Korean car makers Hyundai and Kia are not among the top 10.

Best and worst cars: 2011 Consumer Reports Reliability Survey

1. Scion (no change from 2010)

2. Lexus (+7 places)

3. Acura (-)

4. Mazda (+8)

5. Honda (-1)

6. Toyota (-)

7. Infiniti (-2)

8. Subaru (-1)

9. Nissan (+5)