Honda tops J.D. Powers Initial Quality Study!

Honda is the highest-ranked Non-Premium nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS)—a benchmark study of new-vehicle quality after 90 days of ownership.

The study has been conducted annually for the past 25 years. Expected reliability continues to be the single-most-important reason why new-vehicle buyers choose one model over another.

Honda earned seven initial quality segment awards—more than any other brand in the study this year and the most the brand has ever received—and three awards for plant quality. This year, Honda is one of two automakers to earn the Platinum Plant Quality Award, which represents the highest initial quality among plants producing vehicles for the U.S. market.

Honda also received the Bronze Plant Quality Award for the Americas for the Crosstour, CR-V, and Element manufacturing facility, and the Silver Plant Quality Award, Asia Pacific for the Civic and Insight production facility.

In all, Honda earned seven model awards in the 2011 IQS for the Accord, Crosstour, Fit, Element, and Ridgeline, as well as the Insight and Civic in a tie. The Crosstour, an all-new model in 2010, and the Accord receive awards for a second consecutive year. In the Compact Crossover/SUV segment, Honda achieves the first and second rank positions for the Element and CR-V. The Odyssey ranks second in the Minivan segment.

Historically, Honda has performed well in the Initial Quality Study, placing among the top 10 brands in the study during 21 of the past 25 years. In addition, Honda received the most model-level IQS awards among nameplates in three earlier years: 1997 (tie), 1998, and 2008.

This year, Honda achieves its highest-ever ranking among nameplates in the IQS, and is also the highest-ranking Non- Premium nameplate.

• Honda Accord: “Highest Ranked Midsize Car in Initial Quality”


• Honda Civic: “Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality in a Tie”


• Honda Insight: “Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality in a Tie”


• Honda Element: “Highest Ranked Compact Crossover/ SUV in Initial Quality”


• Honda Fit: “Highest Ranked Sub-Compact Car in Initial Quality”


• Honda Ridgeline: “Highest Ranked Midsize Pickup in Initial Quality”


• Honda Crosstour: “Highest Ranked Midsize Crossover/SUV in Initial Quality”