New-car excitement fades fast, but the question that really matters comes later: how does a vehicle hold up after three years on the road? JD Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study answers exactly that, tracking how original owners rate their vehicles once the new-car shine has worn off and daily use has had time to reveal any real issues. Unlike studies that focus on the first few months of ownership, this one captures a much longer stretch of real-world driving, making it a useful reference point for anyone thinking about how a vehicle will perform for years down the road.
This year’s results included some standout performances from brands and models sold across Humberview Group’s dealerships. Several nameplates in the group’s lineup earned recognition at both the brand level and the model level, across categories ranging from full-size pickups to family SUVs. Here’s a look at what the study measures and which vehicles came out on top.
Now in its 37th year, the Vehicle Dependability Study surveys original owners of three-year-old vehicles about problems they’ve experienced across 184 specific areas, grouped into nine major categories including powertrain, exterior, interior, and driving experience. This year’s results are based on responses from 33,268 owners of 2023 model-year vehicles, collected between December 2024 and November 2025.
The result for each brand and model is expressed as PP100, meaning problems per 100 vehicles. A lower PP100 score means fewer reported issues and stronger long-term dependability. Because the study looks specifically at three-year-old vehicles rather than brand-new ones, it offers a different kind of insight than an initial quality study. It reflects how a vehicle performs once it has accumulated real mileage, weathered a few seasons, and settled into its owner’s day-to-day routine.
Buick ranked as the highest-scoring mass market brand in this year’s study, a title it also held last year. Holding the top spot two years in a row is a meaningful signal of consistency, since it shows the result wasn’t a one-time outcome but a pattern that owners are experiencing across model years.
Buick backed up that brand-level result with a model win of its own: the Buick Enclave tied for the highest ranking in the upper-midsize SUV segment, a category where family-focused buyers tend to weigh long-term reliability heavily before making a decision.
Chevrolet placed third among all mass market brands, rounding out a strong showing for General Motors nameplates sold at Humberview Group. That result puts two of the group’s brands, Buick and Chevrolet, among the top three mass market performers in the entire study.
At the model level, the Chevrolet Equinox earned the highest ranking in the compact SUV segment, and the Chevrolet Tahoe topped the large SUV segment. Both are popular choices for families cross-shopping compact and full-size SUVs, which makes their segment wins especially relevant for anyone comparing options in those categories.
Toyota Motor Corporation received more model-level awards than any other manufacturer in this year’s study, a result that spans a wide range of vehicle types rather than just one or two segments. That breadth is notable in itself: it means owners across very different kinds of vehicles, from compact sedans to midsize pickups, are reporting strong long-term experiences.
Among Toyota-badged vehicles, five segment wins stood out:
That last result is a nice coincidence for Humberview shoppers: two vehicles sold across the group’s dealerships tied for the top spot in the same segment, giving buyers two well-regarded options to compare in that category rather than just one.
Among large light-duty pickups, one of the most competitive and closely watched segments in the industry, the Ram 1500 earned the highest ranking in the study. Full-size trucks see heavy use across a wide range of driving conditions, from daily commuting to hauling and towing, which makes a strong dependability result in this segment particularly meaningful for owners who put real demands on their vehicle.
A vehicle’s first impression tells you a lot, but it doesn’t tell you everything. Studies like this one capture the experience of owners who have already lived with a vehicle through multiple seasons, regular maintenance cycles, and everyday wear. That longer view can be a helpful complement to specs, reviews, and test drives when you’re weighing which vehicle is the right long-term fit.
|
Brand or Model |
Recognition |
|
Buick |
Highest-ranked mass market brand, second consecutive year |
|
Buick Enclave |
Tied for highest ranked, upper-midsize SUV |
|
Chevrolet |
Third highest-ranked mass market brand |
|
Chevrolet Equinox |
Highest ranked, compact SUV |
|
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Highest ranked, large SUV |
|
Toyota Corolla |
Highest ranked, compact car |
|
Toyota Camry |
Highest ranked, midsize car |
|
Toyota Tacoma |
Highest ranked, midsize pickup |
|
Toyota Sienna |
Highest ranked, minivan |
|
Toyota 4Runner |
Tied for highest ranked, upper-midsize SUV |
|
Ram 1500 |
Highest ranked, large light-duty pickup |
Long-term dependability data like this can be a helpful piece of the puzzle when you’re comparing your options for your next vehicle. Visit our team right here in Ontario to talk through which brands and models line up with what matters most to you.
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