J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Results: Crossovers

For 26 years, J.D. Power has been conducting surveys of new car owners to gather data about problems with their vehicles. The Initial Quality Study collects this data and rates each model based on the numbers of reported problems in the first 90 days of ownership. The results are adjusted based on sales numbers to determine a number of “problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).”

While J.D. Power does not release the specific PP100 numbers for each model, it does release the numbers for each brand, as well as for the industry as a whole. For 2012, that industry average was 102. The top five brands in the survey were Lexus (73), Jaguar and Porsche (75), Cadillac (80) and Honda (83).

Click through the gallery to see the highest scoring Crossovers in the 2012 J.D. Power IQS.

MSRP: $26,115 - $27,705
Invoice: $24,286 - $25,765
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 20 mpg Highway

Automakers have been improving their quality across the board, with 26 brands scoring better in the 2012 IQS than in 2011, while only five saw scores drop.

Research the Toyota FJ Cruiser
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MSRP: $22,650 - $28,650
Invoice: $21,178 - $26,788
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg City, 28 mpg Highway

With a PP100 score of 88, Toyota was the eighth highest ranked brand in the IQS study, and the company’s Cambridge, Ontario, factory received a Gold Plant Assembly Line Quality award.

Research the Toyota RAV4
Toyota RAV4 Photos & Information
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MSRP: $22,495 - $28,495
Invoice: $21,133 - $26,749
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg City, 31 mpg Highway

Besides winning a segment award for the CR-V, Honda was the highest-rated mainstream brand in the 2012 IQS, and its Suzuka, Japan, factory received the Platinum Plant Assembly Line Quality award for producing the fewest defects.

Research the Honda CR-V
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MSRP: $29,960 - $40,560
Invoice: $27,601 - $37,349
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway

Nissan’s overall brand score was 99 PP100, placing it just above the industry average of 102.

Research the Nissan Murano
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MSRP: $28,240 - $37,195
Invoice: $25,783 - $33,959
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

There were 185 models ranked in both the 2011 and 2012 IQS. As a further indication of the improving quality of all vehicles, 65 percent of models ranked in both years saw an improvement in 2012.

Research the Toyota Highlander
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Toyota Highlander Specs
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MSRP: $27,195 - $54,670
Invoice: $26,803 - $52,150
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 23 mpg Highway

Despite the favorable quality results for the Grand Cherokee, Jeep finished in the middle of the bottom half in the 2012 IQS, with an overall score of 110 PP100.

Research the Jeep Grand Cherokee
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MSRP: $28,620 - $40,970
Invoice: $26,179 - $37,444
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

Honda was the highest-rated non-premium brand in the 2012 IQS, but the lowest scoring was Fiat, with a 151 PP100.

Research the Honda Pilot
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Honda Pilot Specs
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MSRP: $27,755 - $34,540
Invoice: $25,390 - $31,579
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City, 29 mpg Highway

While the Accord Crosstour has garnered significant criticism for both its design and value proposition, its IQS score says quality is not part of the problem.

Research the Honda Crosstour
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MSRP: $36,500 - $45,765
Invoice: $34,675 - $43,477
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway

The Enclave was a segment leader, but the Buick brand had a 106 PP100 rating overall, just below the industry average of 102.

Research the Buick Enclave
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