J.D. Power recently revealed its list of the most dependable automotive brands for 2026. Instead of evaluating the latest models, their findings were based on feedback from drivers of 2023 model year vehicles who had owned them for three years. The survey examined 184 factors, ranging from powertrain issues to infotainment system performance.
To accurately assess dependability, the vehicles had to withstand real-world conditions. As expected, Lexus topped the chart as one of the most reliable brands, while Chevrolet ranked fifth, reporting 178 issues for every 100 vehicles.
J.D. Power also identified the most dependable models within various segments. Chevrolet excelled, taking the top spot in two categories. The Chevrolet Equinox outperformed competitors like the Subaru Forester among compact SUVs, a significant improvement as it did not rank in the previous year. Moreover, the Chevrolet Tahoe was recognized as the leading large SUV, being the only model in that category acknowledged by J.D. Power, delivering good news for current or prospective Tahoe owners.
Chevrolet’s Strong Performance in Other Categories
While the Equinox and Tahoe gained top distinctions in their specific categories, they were not the only Chevrolet models to perform well according to J.D. Power.
Three additional Chevrolet vehicles achieved impressive second-place rankings. The Chevrolet Blazer came in second for midsize SUVs, trailing the Nissan Murano, just as it did last year. The Chevrolet Traverse also secured second place in the upper midsize SUV category; however, since the Buick Enclave and Toyota 4Runner shared the first position, it is recorded as third. This marks an improvement for the Traverse, which did not rank in the top tier last year.
The Chevrolet Silverado, the second best-selling vehicle in the U.S., earned a second-place position among large light-duty pickups, coming in behind the Ram 1500 and surpassing the renowned Ford F-150 that usually takes the lead. Unfortunately, the Silverado’s performance this year is a decline from the previous year, where it was first in the category.
In the prior year, the Chevrolet Corvette was recognized as the top premium sporty car, but this category was absent in J.D. Power’s evaluation for 2026, indicating it may have been dropped or that no model hit the necessary industry standards.
