Porsche bests European rivals in 2021 J.D. Power dependability ranking

Porsche emerged as the best European automotive brand in the just-released J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The sports car maker’s top rating was bolstered by the Porsche 911’s ranking, which is the highest among all models in terms of trouble-free ownership, and that of the Porsche Macan’s, which is cited as most dependable among Premium Compact SUVs.

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This marks the second time in three years in which the 911 took top honors among all models evaluated in the VDS.

Porsche customers reported 18 fewer PP100 in the latest study to bring the overall score down to 86 PP100, compared to this year’s luxury average of 118 PP100. The 911 came in with 57 PP100, the fewest of any model across the automotive sector.

In the VDS, PP100 represents the number of problems per 100 vehicles experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles. A lower score reflects higher dependability, and the study covers 177 specific problems grouped into eight major categories of vehicle features, such as infotainment systems, engine and transmission, and interior and exterior equipment.

“Porsche strives to make our customers’ sports car dreams come true,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc. “It is gratifying to see our iconic 911 and Macan exemplify our commitment to developing, building and maintaining exciting and dependable Porsche vehicles.”

The 911’s and Macan’s top VDS ranking follows that of the Porsche 718 Cayman’s, which won its category in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Best Resale Value Awards. In the study, the 718 Cayman was found to retain more of its value than any other model in its class. This ranking indicates a vehicle’s high dependability.

The latest VDS reveals vehicle dependability is at an all-time high, with the overall level of problems cited by owners declining 10% from a year ago. The 2018 model-year vehicles measured in this year’s study were first examined in the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Study when new-vehicle quality had improved for the fourth consecutive year and reached its best level. Six of the 10 brands that ranked highest in that study also appear among the 10 highest ranked in the 2021 VDS—the 32nd year the survey was held.