Subaru’s IQS Quality Moves The Needle Again

How does Subaru rank in initial vehicle quality compared with other automakers? Check out the new 2024 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study results and how Subaru performed against other mainstream and luxury auto brands. The results are in.

Subaru, how is your quality?

How do the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and Ascent SUV's initial quality ranks with other car brands? Unfortunately, Subaru does not have any top models. However, Subaru's brand has improved slightly. Here are the latest results.

According to the new J.D. Power 2024 Initial Quality Study (IQS), Subaru has once again scored above average, marking its second consecutive year. Read my 2023 report here.

This is a significant improvement for Subaru, a brand that historically struggled on the J.D. Power IQS scorecard. The Japanese automaker is definitely on an upward trajectory.

"It is not surprising that the introduction of new technology has challenged manufacturers to maintain vehicle quality," said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. 

According to J.D. Power, the industry average for mass-market brands (non-luxury) is 181 PP100, which is below the industry average. This means that these brands are outperforming the industry average, reflecting higher vehicle quality.

The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study shows the industry average is 195 PP100, including luxury and non-luxury car brands. Subaru is above average with a score of 183/100, ranking them twelfth overall among all automakers.

Subaru is on the upswing.

Subaru improved by two points over last year's score of 185/PP100. Subaru scored higher than Toyota, with a score of 192/100. First, I'll give you the rankings and then explain what they mean for Subaru customers. 

Here are the top 18 car brands that score above the average. 

1. Ram 149
2. Chevrolet 160
3. Hyundai 162
4. Kia 163
5. Buick 164
6. Nissan 166
7. Porsche 172
8. Lexus 174
9. Ford 179
10. Honda 181
11. Mini 182
12. Subaru 183
13. Genesis 184
14. Infiniti 187
15. Jaguar 188
16. Mitsubishi 191
17. Toyota 192
18. Acura 193

The five bottom dwellers are:

• Mazda 232
• Volkswagen 241
• Audi 242
• Volvo 242
• Dodge 301

The J.D. Power IQS study is based on a battery of 227 VOC questions plus relevant repair data, all of which is organized into ten vehicle categories: infotainment; features, controls, and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; climate; and unspecified (unique to repair). 

Did any Subaru model score among the best in its segment?

In last year's rankings, the 2023 Subaru Forester was among the top three models in the Compact SUV segment. This year, no Subaru models scored among the highest models. 

What it means for customers

It's important to note that the J.D. Power IQS study only considers the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. The Power study focuses on infotainment and new technologies that new owners need to become more familiar with. The IQS is not a long-term study of quality issues with the automakers and their specific models.

Plant Quality Awards

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, where the Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Legacy are manufactured, did not receive a Gold Plant Quality Award for North/South America. 

The Gold Plant Quality Awards go to Honda Motor Company's Alliston 2 plant in Ontario, Canada, and Toyota Motor Corporation's Cambridge South plant in Ontario, Canada.

The latest 2024 J.D. Power IQS study reveals Subaru's above-average ranking shows steady improvement in the initial quality of its vehicles—however, no individual Subaru model scores among the best. 

How would you rank your new Subaru model in its first 90 days? 

• Did you understand what the vehicle's warnings mean? 
• Did you have problems with the vehicle's Android Auto and Apple CarPlay?  
• How easy were the features, controls, and displays to use?

We value your experiences and insights. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and share your thoughts on your Subaru model's performance in its first 90 days of ownership.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru