Top Ranked Vehicles in 2009 JD Powers Survey

Midsize premium car:

--Highest ranked: Lexus GS

--Runners-up: Acura RL, Lexus ES

 

Interesting, since the GS was the Lexus model to drop from CR recommended status. It was primarily due to tranny issues and interior fit issues, from what I have read.

But I never put too much weight on Initial Quality as most vehicles due a pretty darn good job with initial quality. It is how they hold up 18 months later an into the warranty end period that appeals to me.

I also read that initial quality reports can be skewed by owners who are 'confused' with features and operation since newer care are so technology laden. Acura always get dinged on the number of buttons and confusing dash...but in reality I hardly ever use the buttons because of VR and redundancy in the controls (ie steering wheel controls).

And on the other side of the coin, when a JD Powers audit is underway, the dealers HEAVILY canvass their customers for ratings. So perhaps they are slanted in that manner as well.

Still....nice to see the RL recognized anywhere, anyway being quite the wallflower.

 

Would agree, my Fusion was great for a few months and then everything went to hell after that. It ranked well at one time in initial quality.