Zac Quinn 
The results are in for the latest J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). And the results may surprise you. Ram placed first against its 32 competitors as the only truck-exclusive brand to claim the top spot in the study, while Dodge comes in second, retaining its status after a historical 2020 finish. The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette also does well, taking the highest rank in the Premium Sporty Car segment. Jeep also rose three spots up from the previous year, placing itself in eighth at the finish, which is the highest it’s ever been. The Jeep Gladiator even won the midsize pickup segment category in the new quality study, and the previous-generation WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee landing on the podium for the midsize SUV category.
The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) measures the number of problems experienced during the first 90 days of ownership per 100 vehicles
Ram Trucks Come In First And Second Place
Owners of new Ram 2500 HD and Ram 3500 HD trucks brought the vehicle to the first-place finish within the large heavy-duty pickup segment, ahead of the Ford Super Duty. And the popular 2021 Ram 1500 ranked second among the large light-duty pickups, behind the Toyota Tundra. This is fantastic news for the Ram brand, as it had previously tied for third for the 2020 IQS, and was as far back as 21st the year before that.
Dodge And Chrysler On Podium
These vast improvements made by the company compliment Dodge’s first-place finish last year, which marked the first domestic brand to claim top honors since the JD Power IQS study has been around. The Dodge Charger still finished at the top of its segment in the study, alongside the Chrysler 300 within the large car segment.
Suppose when a car’s been around as the current LX Platform Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans, a lot of the quality wrinkles tend to get ironed out. We’re sure quality isn’t the reason why they’re so often stolen, though. We’re sure it has more to do with the fact that they’re a blast to drive.
Corvette Takes First Place In Segment
The Corvette took first place within the Sporty Car segment, with the Porsche 718 in second and the Lexus LC in third. However, the biggest complaint geared towards the Corvette was the infotainment system, which isn’t uncommon amongst vehicles trying to integrate wireless connectivity between smartphones and cars.
This sort of thing also highlights the overall flaw in the JD Power IQS Study, as what could constitute as a “problem” for customers is a complete matter of perception, rather than a true disfunction in quality.
These results are spectacular for domestic brands, given that it’s turning the reputation of the companies around. With time, we may see more American vehicle brands on the road as people come to realize the quality and exponential improvements made over the past few years.
You can have a full look at the 2021 JD Power Initial Quality Study here.
