owners rank these brands best and worst for initial qualityWinners, Losers, and... Cupholders? Inside the 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study.In the latest episode of The AutoGuide Show podcast we dive deep into the newly released 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). To help us unpack the data, we sat down with Frank Hanley, Senior Director of Automotive Benchmarking at J.D. Power, to talk about which automakers are crushing it and which ones are crashing out.What Actually is the IQS?If you've ever wondered what the Initial Quality Study actually measures, Frank breaks it down for us. We ask him what it is, what it measures, and what it really means for everyday car buyers. Hint: It's scored in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), meaning a lower score is what brands are desperate to achieve in those crucial first 90 days of ownership.The Big Questions Addressed in This Episode:Are cars getting more or less reliable? The industry average saw a massive shift this year, dropping from 192 PP100 down to 175 PP100. It's the biggest year-over-year quality improvement since 1997. But does that tell the whole story?Do cars with poor initial quality go on to be reliable long-term? We ask Frank if a rough first 90 days guarantees a lifetime of mechanical headaches, or if initial bugs are just growing pains.Why do cupholders matter so much? Believe it or not, cupholders were named the single biggest contributor to the industry's massive quality improvement this year. Frank explains why something as simple as where you put your morning coffee can make or break an owner's satisfaction.Where is Tesla, and why are there no electric cars dominating the top of the list? While EV range saw improvements this year, tech and connectivity issues continue to plague high-tech cabins. We get the unfiltered truth on where Tesla and the rest of the EV market land in the rankings.The Winners and LosersWe go through the full leaderboard of the best and worst ranked brands and models. You might be shocked by the results:AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Top Dog: Porsche claims the crown as the highest-ranking brand overall with a stellar score of 138 PP100, and the legendary Porsche 911 once again takes the trophy for the best individual model.The Mainstream Shakeup: Ford pulled off a staggering 16-year comeback to rank as the #1 mainstream mass-market brand (152 PP100), with the F-150, Mustang, and Super Duty all winning their segments. Genesis and Lexus also secured elite premium spots.The Bottom of the Pack: On the flip side, we look at the brands struggling to keep customers happy out of the gate, including Infiniti, Volkswagen, and Cadillac, who found themselves at the bottom of the 2026 study due to complex tech and infotainment frustrations.Listen to The AutoGuide Show on your favorite platform:SpotifyAppleiHeartRadio