Acura: The Reliability of Japanese vs German Luxury
Acura: The Reliability of Japanese vs German Luxury
Posted on March 7, 2024
When choosing cars, people tend to view German cars as luxury vehicles and Japanese cars as daily runners, but the savvy customer will dig a little deeper. Yes, German cars certainly have a stellar reputation for luxury, but is that enough when choosing a car? Reliability and the cost of repairs are as important as a reputation for luxury.
German and Japanese cars are innovative and have style, comfort, and outstanding performance, so apart from the badge on the front of the vehicle, there’s little to choose between the two nations in these areas. The place that makes a vast difference is when considering reliability and the cost of repairs.
What Do The Experts Say?
As of December 2023, Statista has Japanese brands as four of the top five most reliable vehicles, with Lexus and Toyota filling the top two places. Lexus is the luxury brand of the Toyota factory, so the most reliable luxury vehicle in the US is Japanese.
Each year, J.D. Power undertakes a survey, J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, in which they ask the owners of three-year-old vehicles questions about the reliability of their cars and the cost to repair the car if it should break down. These questions cover all aspects of the vehicle.
In this report, Lexus was the overall winner for the second year running for vehicle dependability. Toyota Motor Corporation was the winner in the mass-market segment and had the most model winners, with nine over all the categories.
Difference Between German and Japanese Cars
The reliability of vehicles can be traced back to the guiding principles of Japanese and German manufacturers.
Engineering Principles
Japanese manufacturers emphasize efficiency and affordability, two building blocks of reliability. Efficiency comes from using parts that are well-understood and components that are already tried and tested. These qualities bring about affordability as the Japanese manufacturer works on evolutionary rather than revolutionary change.
On the other hand, German manufacturers focus more on luxury and performance, which can lead to reliability issues.
Performance
There are very few high-performance Japanese cars. The vast majority of Japanese cars offer impressive performance but are also fuel-efficient. German carmakers prioritize high performance and frequently outfit their vehicles with powerful engines for high-speed driving.
Technological Innovation
German and Japanese manufacturers are known for technological advancement, but their strengths lie in different areas.
The Most Important Factor Affecting Reliability: Servicing Your Vehicle
Experts can tell us which cars are most reliable, but without regular maintenance, the most reliable car will fail. Regular servicing using quality liquids and parts is imperative to ensure that your car will be as reliable as the experts say it will be.
Will You Dance the Waltz With the Germans or Perform Kabuki With the Japanese?
The purchase of a car is a long-term investment, so it’s reasonable to expect that it will give you reliable transport for many years. It’s clear from consumer reports that this isn’t always the case, and some of the most prestigious brands fall short on reliability.
It’s a mistake to think that Japanese cars are not luxurious. The luxury is comparable to the lushness of German cars. The quality of the materials used and the sumptuousness of the design are more than adequate in Japanese cars.
Japanese cars provide an impressive combination of comfort, style, technology, and reliability. Put a test drive of a Japanese brand at Southview Acura on your to-do list when looking for your next car.