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Sometimes the ranking results from J.D. Power can be surprising, leaving even the most knowledgeable car enthusiasts scratching their heads. Such is the case with the 2023 Toyota Tundra, which has recently been rated as the lowest-ranked truck from the outlet, with a rating of only 79 out of 100. This news is especially unexpected considering Toyota‘s reputation for producing reliable, high-quality vehicles. It begs the question: what went wrong with the Tundra, and will this allow other truck manufacturers to gain a foothold in the competitive truck market?

Why did the Tundra truck score so low on J.D. Power?

A red 2023 Toyota Tundra Unlimited full-size pickup truck model parked on a hill of dirt and stones
2023 Toyota Tundra Unlimited | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

A J.D. Power score of 79 means that the Toyota Tundra had more problems reported by owners than the other pickup trucks included in the study. This could consist of engine sound issues, loading and unloading problems, vehicle cabin insulation, or other vehicle components.

While the Tundra may have scored lower than other pickup trucks in this study, it’s important to note that a score of 79 still indicates that the Tundra is still a dependable vehicle overall. However, if you are in the market for a pickup truck, it may be worth considering other options that scored higher in J.D. Power‘s study to ensure the best possible reliability and performance.

Contextualizing the Toyota Tundra’s dependability score compared to rivals

The Toyota Tundra’s score of 79 in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study may not be considered terrible. However, it is still surprising given that it is the lowest among all the pickup trucks included in the study. However, it’s important to note that the score of 79 is not too far off from the scores of other pickup trucks, which indicates that the differences in dependability between the trucks may not be incredibly significant.

For example, the Ford F-150, considered a top competitor to the Toyota Tundra, scored 83 in the same study. While this is a higher score than the Tundra’s score of 79, it’s still relatively close in terms of overall dependability.

It’s also worth noting that the study measures dependability based on problems reported by owners, which can vary widely based on individual experiences. Some owners may experience more problems with their vehicles than others. These experiences may be influenced by factors such as driving habits, maintenance practices, and environmental conditions.

How did the 2023 Toyota Tundra score in each category?

The J.D. Power‘s Vehicle Dependability study is based on user reviews, specifically, the problems owners have reported experiencing with their vehicles over the past year. The study measures dependability across different categories, including quality and reliability, resale value, and dealership experience.

In the 2023 study, the Toyota Tundra received a score of 79 out of 100, the lowest score among all the pickup trucks included in the study. The Tundra’s scores in each category were as follows:

  • Quality and reliability: 70/100
  • Resale value: 95/100
  • Dealership experience: 79/100
  • Driving experience: 79/100

As we can see, the Tundra’s scores were generally consistent across the different categories, with none standing out as especially problematic. However, the scores were slightly lower in the engine and transmission categories and the seats, audio, and navigation categories. This suggests that these may be areas for improvement in future Tundra models.

Despite the Tundra’s lower overall score, it did perform well in the resale value category, receiving a score of 95 out of 100. This is a testament to the Tundra’s overall quality and reliability and its popularity among buyers.

Overall, while the Toyota Tundra’s scores in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study were lower than in previous years, the truck remains a reliable and popular option for buyers, particularly regarding resale value.

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