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The highly anticipated J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) is out and has all of the most dependable cars, trucks, and SUVs. It might not come as a surprise that Toyota and Lexus made the list of J.D. Power’s Most Dependable SUVs. The Lexus RX and Toyota CH-R are some of the market’s most reliable sport utility vehicles.

The Lexus RX is one of J.D. Power’s Most Dependable SUVs for 2023

Each year, J.D. Power releases its dependability study, and the newest J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) is finally here. The study shows that the industry average is 186 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles, up six over last year. For 2023, this study looks at 2020 vehicles and how those continue to perform over time. The lower the score, the better the vehicle’s performance.

Lexus ranks highest overall in vehicle dependability, scoring 133 PP100. However, Toyota’s parent company, Lexus, had the most overall awards. Six Toyota vehicles received awards, the Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Toyota C-HR, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, and Toyota Tacoma.

The Lexus RX SUV was one of the most dependable models, with a score of 111 PP100. Lexus is no newcomer to J.D. Power’s U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, but it has improved in eight out of nine categories from last year.

Toyota’s C-HR is another one of J.D. Power’s Most Dependable SUVs

Toyota scored 168 PP100, one of the lowest brands in the mass market section. Kia had the highest score with 152 PP100, but the Toyota C-HR SUV was one of the most dependable models. The C-HR beat the Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax in the small SUV segment.

Toyota’s C-HR beat the Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax in the small SUV segment. In the segment of midsize premium SUVs, the Lexus RX beat the Lexus GX, but that was the entire segment. J.D. Power says no other midsize premium SUVs had enough of a score to qualify.

Jonathan Banks, vice president and general manager of vehicle valuations at J.D. Power, says, “the used-vehicle market has helped sustain dealers’ profitability in the past couple of years, but they need to know which vehicles to have on their lots.” Banks noted that stocking vehicles with strong dependability scores help “nurture a positive brand perception and drive foot traffic.”

Overall, most vehicles showed an improvement

J.D. Power's most dependable SUVs for 2023 include this Lexus RX
A 2020 Lexus RX | Lexus

The 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study examined responses from 30,062 original owners of 2020 model-year vehicles after the first three years of ownership. J.D. Power studied these vehicles between August 2022 and November 2022. J.D. Power found that most vehicles improved from the 2022 study until now, showing an average improvement of 6 PP100.

J.D. Power’s Most Dependable SUVs for this year are the Lexus RX and Toyota CH-R, but 2024 isn’t set in stone. Even though the Lexus RX is on this list regularly, the CH-R got beaten by the Buick Encore in 2022.

It seems America’s favorite SUV remains on top for another year, but as reliability among automakers continues to improve, Toyota and Lexus have an uphill battle ahead.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.