Breaking News: Only Two Newly (Re)Designed Vehicles Considered Standouts in Latest Industry Reliability Study

The redesigned Dodge Durango is ranked as one of the best vehicles in class in the latest quality study.

The Hyundai Equus is also ranked at the top of its class as relates to quality. Its only second to the Lexus LS 460, one of the best luxury vehicles in the world.  

With close to a hundred vehicles being redesigned or introduced for the 2011 model year, only two vehicles were considered true standouts in their segments, the Dodge Durango and the Hyundai Equus, according to J. D. Power 2011 Initial Quality Study. Only seven all-new or redesigned models rank among the top three of their respective award segments, compared with 17 models in 2010, and only one launch model received a segment award this year, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe (and convertible), versus five launch models in 2010, according to J. D. Power. Receiving this type of recognition is comparable to a musician earning a Grammy. So this award means that a particular car is at the top of its game.

The 2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 73,000 purchasers and lessees of brand spanking new 2011 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a comprehensive 228-question survey designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2011. So, as you can see, this data could possibly drive one's new-vehicle purchase.

Also this is a first for the third-generation Durango to be ranked so high. This shows that Chrysler is serious about building bold, reliable vehicles. The midsize Durango SUV is now operating in the same league as Honda's Accord Crosstour and Subaru's Outback wagon. These three vehicles ranked the highest in the combined midsize crossover/SUV segment.

And not to be outdone, the Lexus-like Hyundai Equus, which is new to the game for 2011, competes against what many would consider to be the industry standard, as it relates to both luxury and dependability, the Lexus LS 460. The Hyundai Equus is rated as one of the top tier vehicles in the large premium car segment just like Porsche's Panamera and Lexus' LS 460. So for folks who have been questioning Hyundai, its time to give them some love. Ironically, it was just three decades ago Hyundai was basically run out of America for build low-priced, unreliable vehicles. Now they're building high priced, reliable vehicle. What a difference a few decades make!

Just think: what is the world coming to when Hyundai and Dodge are the only majorly redesigned vehicles to make it to the top of their segments as it relates to quality. It usually takes a model that has been heavily revised or at least two model year runs to be considered at the top of its class. In fact, some vehicles don't make it to top of their segment, until their nearing the end of their product cycle. Obviously, by then, the automaker should have gotten the quality right.

Some old favorites return, while some American-based vehicles make a suprise stop on the list just like the Durango.

To see where each new make and model landed in the latest J D. Power IQS by category, click here.
And to see how each brand ranked, click here.