Jaguar tops J. D. Power Survey again in 2013

Jaguar has retained its crown in the J. D. Power Survey in 2013 as best car maker, beating Lexus in to second place for the second year running.

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We did wonder if Jaguar would be able to hold on to its crown as J.D. Power Survey ‘Best Car Maker’ it snatched from Lexus in 2012. And it has, with the leaping cat making it two in a row from the Power Survey. That’s a big thumbs up for Jaguar from the 16,000 UK car owners who took part and rated 116 cars from 28 brands.

Even though the Jaguar XF actually slipped from 2nd to 3rd in the top cars section (although it was the ‘Best Executive Car’), behind the Skoda Superb and Skoda Yeti, it received five star ratings for performance, service and running costs and owners rated it as ‘Excellent’ across all categories.

And it was more good news for Jaguar Land Rover as Land Rover was rated the most improved brand in 2013, jumping in to the top ten (in 6th place) for the first time, with Freelander owners noting an improved dealer experience and Discovery owners reporting 30 per cent fewer faults – and actually leading the SUV sector for reliability. That’ll help the still lingering perception that JLR’s cars can be ‘fragile’.

Chas Hallet, WhatCar’s Editor-in-Chief, said:

 It is fantastic to see two British car manufacturers perform so well. Jaguar is triumphant for the second year running in the study – owners gave Jaguar cars – and slick customer service from its dealers – a big thumbs up.

Freelander owners noted improved dealer service and less onerous overheads. Meanwhile, the Discovery gave drivers a less taxing time, with 30% fewer faults reported; in fact, the SUV led its field for reliability.

Away from the Jaguar Land Rover success, Lexus came in as second best brand and Honda as third, with Peugeot and Fiat propping up the bottom of the car brand table. Bottom of the heap for individual cars was the Fiat Panda, with the Ford Ka not far ahead.

2013 J. D. Power Survey Results

Top 10 Car Brands

1. Jaguar
2. Lexus
3. Honda
4. Skoda
5. Mercedes
6. Land Rover
7. Volvo
8. Toyota
9= Nissan, SEAT & Volkswagen

(Bottom Mitsubishi, Peugeot & Fiat)

Top Ten Cars

1. Skoda Superb
2. Skoda Yeti
3. Jaguar XF
4= Citroen DS3, Lexus RX
6= Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Passat CC
8. Volvo S60/V60
9= Lexus IS, Mercedes B-class, Toyota Prius

(Bottom Fiat Punto, Ford Ka, Fiat Panda)