Choosing a dependable vehicle can make ownership easier, more predictable, and less expensive over time. The J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study measures problems owners report after three years of ownership, offering useful insight into how different models perform beyond the early ownership period.
The 2025 study examined 34,175 original owners of 2022 model-year vehicles and evaluated 184 specific problem areas. This article highlights ten models that received top segment honors in the study, covering cars, SUVs, pickups, and a minivan. The results offer a practical reference for shoppers comparing long-term dependability across several vehicle categories.
1. Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon earned the distinction of being the top model in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The result is important because the Avalon was also one of the models represented by Toyota Motor Corporation, which received six model-level awards in the study.
The 2025 VDS evaluated 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, giving the Avalon recognition based on owner experiences during that period.
The Avalon occupied a distinctive position in Toyota’s lineup as a large sedan, offering a combination of passenger space, comfort, and conventional car-based driving characteristics.
Its appearance in the dependability results reflects how the model performed among owners during the study period. For shoppers interested in a used vehicle from the 2022 model year, the Avalon is therefore particularly relevant because the study directly covers that model year.
The Avalon result also illustrates why model-level data can provide useful information beyond brand reputation. Toyota ranked third among mass-market brands in the 2025 study with 162 PP100, behind Buick at 143 and Mazda at 161.
However, the Avalon was identified as the top model, showing that brand-level performance and individual-model performance are separate measurements.
For used-car buyers, a three-year dependability result can be especially useful because it describes vehicles after they have accumulated several years of real-world ownership.
The Avalon had reached the stage where owners had experienced its technology, powertrain, interior equipment, and other systems for a meaningful period. That makes the award relevant to people considering a pre-owned sedan rather than simply comparing specifications on a new vehicle.
The Avalon was discontinued after the 2022 model year, so this particular result has added significance for used-car shoppers. Buyers looking for an Avalon can use the 2025 VDS finding as one piece of information alongside service records, vehicle history, mileage, inspection results, and recall information.
The study does not replace an individual inspection, but its recognition provides useful context when evaluating a 2022 Avalon.
2. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry was the highest-ranked model in the midsize car segment in the 2025 VDS. It was followed in the segment by the Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata. Toyota also received the highest-ranking position in the compact car category with the Corolla, demonstrating strong representation among the sedan categories covered by the study.
The Camry has long been positioned as a practical midsize sedan, making its dependability result particularly relevant to families, commuters, and used-car shoppers seeking conventional transportation. The 2022 model-year Camry was included directly in the owner survey, so the recognition reflects experiences after three years rather than impressions from a short test drive.
Toyota’s wider performance provides additional context. The company ranked third among mass-market brands in the 2025 study with 162 problems per 100 vehicles. Toyota models received six model-level awards, including the Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, and Lexus GX under Toyota Motor Corporation’s group of brands.
A dependability award does not mean the Camry is immune to repairs or maintenance. Every vehicle requires routine servicing, and individual examples can develop issues that are not reflected in an industry study.
Buyers considering a used Camry should still check maintenance documentation, tire condition, brakes, and vehicle dependability. Its segment award is based on comparative performance within the midsize car category, while the broader VDS measures numerous aspects, fluid levels, battery condition, accident history, and recall completion.
The study’s findings make the Camry a useful reference point for anyone researching three-year vehicle dependability.
Its segment award is based on comparative performance within the midsize car category, while the broader VDS measures numerous aspects of ownership. That combination gives buyers more context than a simple reliability claim based only on engine or transmission durability.
3. Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla earned the highest position in the compact car segment in the 2025 VDS. The Kia Forte ranked second, and the Subaru Impreza ranked third in that category. The result places the Corolla among the study’s recognized model-level performers and adds to Toyota’s six model-level awards in the 2025 research.
Compact cars can be particularly sensitive to ownership concerns because many buyers select them for affordability and everyday practicality.
A vehicle that develops frequent problems can reduce some of those financial advantages through repair costs and downtime. The Corolla’s recognition provides useful information for shoppers seeking a compact sedan with a documented three-year ownership record.
The 2022 Corolla covered by the study represents a generation that emphasized practical transportation, fuel efficiency, straightforward operation, and a broad selection of driver-assistance features. Since the VDS covers more than mechanical systems, its result also accounts for the wider ownership experience reported by surveyed owners.
Toyota’s brand performance adds supporting context without replacing the model-specific finding. Toyota recorded 162 PP100 in the 2025 study, compared with an industry average of 202 PP100.
The difference shows that Toyota owners reported fewer problems per 100 vehicles than the study average, while the Corolla’s segment award identifies its position within the compact car category.
For someone shopping for a used Corolla, the VDS result is best combined with vehicle-specific evidence. Service history, mileage, accident records, tire wear, brake condition, previous ownership, and inspection findings can reveal issues that a broad survey cannot identify. A strong study result can provide useful background, but the condition of the individual vehicle remains important.
4. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 was the highest-ranked model in the compact SUV segment in the 2025 J.D. Power VDS. The GMC Terrain followed it, with the Mazda CX-5 in third place. The RAV4 was also among Toyota’s six model-level award recipients in the study.
The RAV4’s result is significant because compact SUVs occupy a major part of the modern vehicle market. Buyers often choose this class because it provides more cargo and passenger versatility than many compact cars while remaining easier to maneuver than larger SUVs. Dependability can therefore be an important consideration for owners expecting to use the vehicle for commuting, family transportation, and longer trips.
The 2022 RAV4 was available with different powertrain configurations, including gasoline and hybrid versions. J.D. Power reported that hybrids as a group had the fewest problems per 100 vehicles in the 2025 study, at 199 PP100, compared with 200 for gas-powered vehicles, 223 for battery-electric vehicles, 233 for diesel vehicles, and 242 for plug-in hybrids.
These figures apply to powertrain price, fuel economy, cargo capacity, safety equipment, insurance costs, maintenance records, and vehicle condition. Dependability is an important part of the ownership categories across the study, not specifically to the RAV4.
That distinction is important when using the data. A segment award for the RAV4 does not mean every RAV4 powertrain, trim level, or equipment configuration will have the same ownership experience. Used buyers should identify the specific version they are considering and research its maintenance requirements separately.
The RAV4’s compact SUV award makes it a relevant model for shoppers comparing used SUVs from the 2022 model year. Its result can be considered alongside purchase price, fuel economy, cargo capacity, safety equipment, insurance costs, maintenance records, and vehicle condition.
Dependability is an important part of the ownership picture, but it is not the only factor that determines whether a particular used vehicle suits a buyer.
5. Lexus GX
The Lexus GX ranked highest in the midsize premium SUV segment in the 2025 VDS, followed by the Lexus RX and Cadillac XT5. Lexus also ranked highest among all brands in the study, recording 140 PP100. This was the third consecutive year that Lexus held the highest brand position in the VDS.
The GX is a premium SUV with a body-on-frame design and a reputation for combining luxury features with serious utility. Its recognition in the midsize premium SUV segment gives used buyers a data point when comparing luxury SUVs from the same period.
The distinction between the Lexus GX and the Lexus brand score is worth noting. The 140 PP100 figure represents Lexus as a brand, while the GX’s award represents its position in the midsize premium SUV segment. These are different measurements and should not be treated as interchangeable.
The 2025 study also recognized the Lexus RX as the second-highest model in the midsize premium SUV category. Having two Lexus models near the top of the same segment shows that the brand had substantial representation in that portion of the results.
Still, buyers should examine each model separately because different vehicles can use different platforms, engines, transmissions, electronics, and equipment.
For someone considering a used GX, the study provides useful historical evidence about owner-reported dependability after three years. The vehicle’s age, mileage, previous use, maintenance history, and equipment condition remain important.
A GX that spent years towing, traveling off-road, or operating in demanding environments may have different needs from a low-mileage example used mainly for highway driving.
6. Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano earned the highest position in the midsize SUV segment in the 2025 VDS. It was followed by the Chevrolet Blazer and Toyota Venza. Nissan received two model-level awards in the study, with the Murano joined by the Nissan Kicks.
The Murano’s result is useful for shoppers looking at midsize SUVs because this category includes vehicles intended for everyday family transportation, commuting, road trips, and general utility. The model’s segment recognition reflects the owner-reported experiences captured by J.D. Power after three years of ownership.
The 2025 VDS covered 184 problem areas, so the Murano’s award should not be interpreted as a measurement of only engine or transmission reliability. The study also considers features, controls, displays, infotainment, climate systems, seats, interior components, driving assistance, and other areas.
The Kicks’ segment recognition gives shoppers considering a 2022 model-year small SUV an owner’s award also demonstrates that model-level performance can vary considerably from a manufacturer’s brand score. Nissan’s 215 PP100 brand score was above the 202 PP100 industry average, yet the Kicks received the highest position in its small SUV segment.
Dependability was assessed across areas ranging from powertrain and driving experience to infotainment, climate, seats, interior components, and electronic controls. Modern use, accident history, tires, brakes, suspension, and electronic functions can influence the ownership experience. The J.D. Power result can help establish a-level award recipients also included the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, RAV4, and Tacoma.
Nissan’s brand score was 215 PP100 in the 2025 study, which was above the industry average of 202 PP100. That brand figure and the Murano’s segment position can coexist because brand averages combine multiple models, while a model-level award evaluates a particular vehicle within its segment.
Used-car shoppers should therefore avoid assuming that the Murano award automatically applies to every Nissan vehicle. The VDS provides model-level information, which is more specific than a general brand reputation. A buyer should still check the exact model year, drivetrain, mileage, maintenance records, recall history, and condition before purchasing.
7. Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks was the highest-ranked model in the small SUV segment in the 2025 VDS. The Subaru Crosstrek ranked second, and the Buick Encore GX ranked third. The Kicks was also among Nissan’s two model-level award recipients in the study.
Small SUVs appeal to buyers who want a higher seating position and flexible cargo area without moving into a larger vehicle. The Kicks’ segment recognition gives shoppers considering a 2022 model-year small SUV an owner-based dependability reference.
The study is especially useful because three years can expose issues that may not appear during the first year of ownership. Components such as infotainment systems, climate controls, electronic features, driver-assistance systems, and interior equipment can develop problems over time. J.D. Power’s methodology considers these areas alongside traditional mechanical concerns.
The Kicks’ award also demonstrates that model-level performance can vary considerably from a manufacturer’s brand score. Nissan’s 215 PP100 brand score was above the 202 PP100 industry average, yet the Kicks received the highest position in its small SUV segment. The two findings measure different levels of performance and should be interpreted separately.
For used buyers, the Kicks may therefore be worth including in a comparison of small SUVs from the study period. The dependability result should be combined with practical considerations such as cabin space, driving characteristics, fuel economy, insurance costs, available equipment, and the maintenance history of the individual vehicle.
8. Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe ranked highest in the large SUV segment in the 2025 VDS. J.D. Power noted that no other model in this segment performed at or above the segment average. The Tahoe was also one of six General Motors model-level award recipients in the study.
Large SUVs have different ownership demands from compact cars and small SUVs. Their greater size, weight, towing capability, passenger capacity, and equipment can mean that maintenance costs differ substantially.
The Tahoe’s segment recognition therefore provides useful information for shoppers seeking a large vehicle for family use, towing, travel, or other demanding applications.
The Tahoe was joined by the Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Silverado HD, and GMC Acadia among General Motors’ six model-level award recipients. This gave GM the same number of model-level awards as Toyota Motor Corporation in the 2025 study.
Chevrolet also recorded 169 PP100 at the brand level, below the 202 PP100 industry average. However, the Tahoe’s specific segment recognition remains the more relevant measurement for someone researching that particular SUV. Brand scores combine numerous vehicles and cannot tell a shopper exactly how an individual model performed.
The Tahoe result is especially useful when assessing used examples from the 2022 model year. Buyers should pay close attention to service records, tire condition, brakes, suspension components, towing history, drivetrain maintenance, and the condition of electronic features.
Large SUVs can accumulate significant mileage, so vehicle-specific inspection remains essential even when a model has received a dependability award.
9. GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia was the highest-ranked model in the upper midsize SUV segment in the 2025 VDS. The Buick Enclave ranked second, and the Mazda CX-9 ranked third. The Acadia was also among General Motors’ six model-level award recipients.
The Acadia occupies a space between smaller family SUVs and larger three-row vehicles. Its segment position makes it relevant to buyers who want substantial passenger and cargo capacity without necessarily moving to a full-size SUV. The 2025 VDS result provides an owner-based data point for people comparing used examples.
GMC recorded 181 PP100 in the 2025 study, which was below the industry average of 202. The brand result provides context, while the Acadia’s award supplies model-specific information. As with other entries in this list, the two figures should not be treated as identical measures.
The Acadia’s recognition also demonstrates the breadth of the 2025 study. Dependability was assessed across areas ranging from powertrain and driving experience to infotainment, climate, seats, interior components, and electronic controls. Modern dependability therefore extends beyond traditional mechanical reliability.
A used Acadia buyer should examine the exact vehicle rather than relying solely on its award. Mileage, maintenance records, previous use, accident history, tires, brakes, suspension, and electronic functions can influence the ownership experience. The J.D. Power result can help establish a research starting point, while an inspection can reveal the condition of the individual vehicle.
10. Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna ranked highest in the minivan segment in the 2025 VDS. Toyota’s model-level award recipients also included the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, RAV4, and Tacoma. The Sienna’s result is particularly relevant to families looking for a vehicle designed around passenger capacity, cargo flexibility, and everyday practicality.
Minivans have demanding ownership requirements because they are frequently used for family transportation, school runs, commuting, road trips, and carrying large amounts of equipment. Sliding doors, multiple seating rows, climate systems, entertainment equipment, and powered features can add numerous components that owners rely on every day.
The Sienna covered by the study was a 2022 model-year vehicle. The 2025 VDS therefore provides information based on three years of owner experience with vehicles from that model year. Toyota also ranked third among mass-market brands with 162 PP100, compared with the 202 PP100 study average.
The Sienna’s result should still be interpreted carefully because model awards do not guarantee identical performance for every vehicle. A specific Sienna may have accumulated much more mileage than another example, or it may have been maintained differently. Used-car buyers should verify service history and inspect major systems before making a purchase.
For families comparing used minivans, the Sienna’s VDS recognition provides a useful reliability-related reference alongside factors such as seating configuration, cargo space, fuel economy, safety equipment, maintenance costs, and purchase price. The award is most useful when combined with information about the individual vehicle.
