Not bad for a rookie.
Genesis took the top spot on the 2020 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study ahead of Lexus, Buick, Porsche and Toyota in its first year eligible for the list.
The Genesis nameplate first appeared on a Hyundai model in 2009 but was spun-off as a standalone brand in 2017. The study looks at problems experienced by owners of 2017 model year cars that includes a range of issues from malfunctioning parts to frustrating-to-use technologies, including infotainment systems.
Genesis sold only two sedan models in 2017, but has added a third and will soon launch the GV80 SUV that was featured in a Super Bowl commercial starring Chrissy Teigen and John Legend.
According to J.D. Power, the overall industry improved 1.5 percent this year with crossovers and SUVs seeing the largest gains. GMC, Volvo, Jaguar, Chrysler and Land Rover were at the bottom of the list. Tesla does not participate in the survey.
The most dependable individual model was the Lexus ES, which set an all-time record with 52 problems reported per 100 vehicles, compared to the Genesis brand’s 89 and an industry average of 134.
Here are the other winners by model category:
Small car: Honda Fit
Small premium car: BMW 2 Series
Compact car: Nissan Leaf
Compact sporty car: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Compact premium car: Lexus ES
Midsize car: Buick Regal
Midsize sporty car: Ford Mustang
Midsize premium car: Genesis G80
Large car: Toyota Avalon
Small SUV: Buick Encore
Small premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLA
Compact SUV: Chevrolet Equinox
Compact premium SUV: Porsche Macan
Midsize pickup: Nissan Frontier
Midsize SUV: Toyota 4Runner
Midsize premium SUV: Lexus GX
Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Large SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe
Large light duty pickup: (tie) Ford-150, Toyota Tundra
Large heavy duty pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD