The Reliable Toyotas

The VDS study tracks the number and type of problems owners have had with their vehicles over a three-year period, with this year's study focusing on the 2005 model year. Lexus was the top nameplate for the 14th consecutive year, with 120 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). In the study, Lexus received six segment awards and Toyota earned five awards.

For the 14th consecutive year, the Lexus LS premium luxury sedan was the top-performing model in the industry while leading the Large Premium Car segment. With a score of 72 PP100, it was the first time ever that a vehicle achieved a score less than 80 PP100 in the VDS study. The previous low score was in 2006, with the LS 430 earning a score of 88 PP100.

The top three performing models in the VDS were all Lexus passenger cars (LS 430, SC 430 and ES 330). The Lexus LX 470 topped the Large Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) segment with a score of 124 PP100; it was the fewest PP100 of any truck or SUV in the study.

Other Lexus models to lead their respective segments include the ES 330 with a score of 101 PP100, which was followed by the GS 300/GS 430 (124 PP100) in the Midsize Premium Car segment. The IS 300 led the Entry Premium Car segment with a score of 122 PP100, while the SC 430 (89 PP100) topped the Premium Sporty segment. The GX 470 (130 PP100) prevailed in the Midsize Premium MAV segment, and the RX 330 was second with a score of 144 PP100. Overall, every Lexus passenger car or luxury utility vehicle either led its segment or finished second to another Lexus.

For the past 19 years (since 1990), the Toyota nameplate has consistently ranked among the top five non-luxury brands. For 2008, the Toyota nameplate placed fourth overall with 159 PP100, an improvement of 19 PP100 from 2007.

Prius, the world's best-selling gas-electric hybrid, led the Compact Car segment with 141 PP100. Prius continues to prove that a gas-electric hybrid vehicle with many cutting-edge technology features can also set a standard for long-term durability.

Other top-performing models include the Tundra, for the third consecutive year, in the Large Pickup segment with 159 PP100; RAV4 in the Compact MAV segment with 166 PP100; Highlander in Midsize MAV with 138 PP100; and Sequoia in the Large MAV segment with 198 PP100.



[b]2008 J.D.POWER AND ASSOCIATES VVEHICLE DEPENDABILITY STUDY TOYOTA/LEXUS SEGMENT AWARD WINNERS[/b]

VEHICLE SEGMENT

Toyota Prius Compact Car
Toyota Highlander Midsize MAV
Toyota Sequoia Large MAV
Toyota Tundra Large Pickup
Toyota RAV4 Compact MAV
Lexus IS 300/IS 300 SportCross Entry Premium Car
Lexus ES 300 Midsize Premium Car
Lexus GX 470 Midsize Premium MAV
Lexus SC 430 Premium Sporty
Lexus LS 430 Large Premium Car
Lexus LX 470 Large Premium MAV

Credits: Jarvis