JD Power’s annual initial quality survey has once again determined which vehicles reign supreme. The survey is considered highly influential when it comes to vehicle purchases.
The 34th annual survey was conducted by JD Power from February through May 2020. It assessed the performance of 2020 model year vehicles within 90 days after they were sold. Owners answered 223 questions and responses for over 87,272 vehicles were recorded.
The highest-rated vehicle of all is the Chevrolet Sonic.
Small Car: Chevrolet Sonic
Photo courtesy of Chevrolet
All Chevrolet Sonics are powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that delivers 138 horsepower. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment on the base-level Sonic LS includes air-conditioning, a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth streaming for two devices, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and an available Wi-Fi hot spot.
Small Premium Car: Audi A3
Photo courtesy of Audi AG
The 2020 Audi A3 is in its last year of the current generation but that doesn’t mean it’s a slouch. There’s bee no major mechanical or technological changes for 2020 but Audi has shuffled the trim level offerings. It continues to deliver an engaging drive and balanced ride.
Compact Car: Kia Forte
Completely redesigned last year with updated features and a fresh new look, the Kia Forte is powered by a 147 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine that is paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission. The list of standard features includes air-conditioning, an 8.0-inch touch screen, a rearview camera with dynamic parking guide, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and driver attention warning.
Compact Premium Car: Genesis G70
The Genesis G70 is a true sports sedan. It is up for enthusiastic drives and doesn’t mean being pushed a little. The car’s cabin is well-appointed and the infotainment system is easy to use. Plus, it’s far less pricey than its German rivals.
Compact Sporty Car (tie): Hyundai Veloster
An all-new Hyundai Veloster rolled out last year with a refreshed design as well as other improvements. This sporty coupe continues to stand out with its unique three-door configuration: one door on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side.
The base Veloster 2.0 is powered by a 147-horserpower engine and comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, a rear spoiler, a 6-speed manual transmission and 17-inch alloy wheels. Forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist are also standard.
Compact Sporty Car (tie): MINI Cooper
Photo courtesy of MINI
Americas can non longer get the MINI Cooper with a manual transmission but it continues to have a unique interior design and deliver an engaging drive experience. For 2020, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking became standard.
Midsize Car: Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu hasn’t been changed much over the last few years and Chevy recently ended production of the model. The car has a lot to like if you’re in the market for a large, comfortable cruiser sedan.
Midsize Premium Car: Cadillac CT5
The CT5 is a fresh addition to the Cadillac lineup for the 2020 model year. It’s stylish and sophisticated, delivering what buyers are most looking for – a comfortable and smooth ride. The car has a long list of standard and available features.
Midsize Sporty Car: Ford Mustang
The 2020 model year is all about fine tuning the Ford Mustang. Buyers can now opt for a High Performance or EcoBoost Handling package. There’s also a new Shelby GT500 model that gets buyers a free track day at a NASCAR speedway with purchase. Now, all Mustangs come standard with FordPass Connect.
Upper Midsize Premium Car: Cadillac CT6
The Cadillac CT6 is a comfortable large sedan. It doesn’t deliver the aggressive drive you can get from German luxury sedans but it is (nearly) as stylish and stable on the road. Cadillac recently discontinued the model.
Large Car: Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima was recently refreshed but it has few changes for the 2020 model year. The automaker’s suite of safety technology, Nissan Safety Shield 360, is now standard. Its V6 is plenty strong and accommodations are roomy and comfortable.
Large Premium Car: BMW 8 Series
Photo courtesy of BMW
The BMW 8 Series will cost you a pretty penny, but you do get to have the flagship BMW car in your driveway when the check clears. It delivers all the things you’d expect a BMW to – a strong engine lineup, refined interior, and a host of infotainment and safety technology.
Small SUV: Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is all new for the 2020 model year featuring fresh styling and an array of new features. Even as the Soul retains its iconic shape, it receives a modern look with slim headlights, LED daytime running lights and boomerang-shaped taillights that frame the rear window.
Available in multiple trim levels, the Soul’s entry-level LX comes with cloth seat trim, a trip computer, a 7.0-inch color touchscreen display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, one USB outlet, a split-folding rear seat and 16-inch steel wheels.
Small Premium SUV: Jaguar E-Pace
Photo courtesy of Jaguar
The Jaguar E-Pace is the little brother of the highly-regarded F-Pace. The model isn’t as powerful as the F-Pace, but it has a good amount of cargo space and is agile. Adults may feel crowded in the back seat, but that’s par for the course in this size vehicle.
Compact SUV: Hyundai Tucson
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai sells a lot of Tucsons. The compact SUV, which competes against the Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 is well-regarded as a high-quality model. Though its current generation began in 2015 and the model is gearing up for a redesign, it still delivers a comfortable ride and easy-to-use infotainment system in addition to inoffensive looks.
Compact Premium SUV: Cadillac XT4
The Cadillac XT4 is a subcompact size SUV that gives buyers a high-quality interior for a steep price. The XT4 is comfortable and plush with refined aesthetics in the top grade. The SUV is most noted for its large cargo area and spacious legroom for second-row passengers.
Midsize SUV: Nissan Murano
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The Nissan Murano is geared toward empty nesters who don’t want to sacrifice comfort or power, but don’t want to drive a sedan any longer. The SUV got no major changes for the 2020 model year.
Midsize Premium SUV: Lexus GX
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
The Lexus GX Is a throwback to the way SUVs used to be. Still, it’s a competent off-roader that provides plenty of comfort for its occupants. Lexus has upgraded the model in recent years to make it more luxurious.
Upper Midsize SUV: Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is about due for a makeover but that hasn’t stopped buyers from liking the one dealerships are currently offering for sale. The three-row SUV competes with the Kia Telluride but it has less rugged styling and a more crossover-like body. Still, it comes loaded with a good amount of safety features and tech in its most premium grades.
Upper Midsize Premium SUV: BMW X6
Photo courtesy of BMW
The BMW X6 was completely redesigned for the 2020 model year. It continues to be offered with potent engines, a refined interior, comfortable seats, and a long list of technology as is typical for the model.
Large SUV: Nissan Armada
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The Nissan Armada is gearing up for a redesign but continues to offer comfortable accommodations, good towing capacity, and a strong engine. The SUV’s lackluster fuel efficiency and poor cargo space are two major drawbacks.
Large Premium SUV: Cadillac Escalade
Photo courtesy of Cadillac
A new generation of the Cadillac Escalade will be launched for the 2021 model year but the 2020 hasn’t worn out its welcome quite yet. The SUV has a strong engine lineup, plenty of capability, and a well-equipped interior. Buyers can choose to opt for the traditional or extended wheelbase edition.
Minivan: Kia Sedona
Like the Escalade and Sorento, the Kia Sedona will be all-new in 2021. The 2020 model delivers the same comfortable accommodations buyers have come to expect, as well as a good infotainment system and a connected drive.
Midsize Pickup Truck: Ford Ranger
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company
The Ford Ranger made a big splash when it was re-introduced, giving American buyers a smaller Ford truck to spend their money on yet again. Though it wasn’t a completely new truck when it made its U.S. debut, Ford engineers had significantly modified the model for North American customizers, making it plenty off-road capable and a viable daily driver.
Large Light-Duty Pickup Truck: Toyota Tundra
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
There’s a redesigned Toyota Tundra on the horizon but that hasn’t stopped Toyotafrom selling a significant number of current model year Tundras. The model has a dated interior and is fuel inefficient, but it’s comfortable and has a long list of standard and available features.
Large Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck: Ford Super Duty
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company
The Ford Super Duty is one of the most capable pickup trucks you can buy. Don’t let its rugged exterior fool you. The truck’s cabin is well-appointed and full of many of the latest tech features, including those you’d find on a typical SUV.
