Amidst an exciting year of 2025’s Most Reliable Midsize Pickup one truck has unveiled itself as America’s most dependable midsize pickup for 2025, and it’s not the Toyota Tacoma.
According to the most recent J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which polls actual owners during the first ninety days of ownership, the 2025 Jeep Gladiator has surpassed all other trucks in its class to become the unexpected leader in initial quality.
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What Is the J.D. Power IQS?
One of the most reliable measures of a new car’s dependability is the IQS. It calculates the number of issues reported for every 100 cars (PP100) in various categories, such as:
- Powertrain performance
- Infotainment functionality
- Interior quality
- Driving experience
High initial quality can result in fewer headaches—and higher customer satisfaction—for trucks, particularly midsize pickups used for both work and play.
Jeep Gladiator Ranks #1 for 2025
The Jeep Gladiator may not lead the sales charts, but it outshined the competition in 2025. The Gladiator scored above the segment average in 7 of 10 key categories, according to J.D. Power. Highlights include:
- Smooth driving experience
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Premium-feeling interior build
After winning first place in 2023, the Gladiator has now led the midsize pickup segment in IQS results for the second time in three years.
Surprisingly, the Gladiator and Hyundai Santa Cruz shared first place in 2025, proving that quality is important to more than just traditional truck manufacturers.
Tacoma Still Dominates in Sales
The Toyota Tacoma is still by far the best-selling midsize pickup in America, despite having a lower initial quality rating:
- In 2024, 192,813 units were sold.
- Nearly double the Chevy Colorado (98,012 units)
- Far ahead of the Gladiator’s 42,123 units
The Tacoma’s enduring popularity is driven by its long-term reliability, strong resale value, and nationwide availability through Toyota’s vast dealer network.
Stellantis Brands Show Big Improvement
- Jeep’s victory fits into a larger pattern: Stellantis brands are becoming more popular. In 2025, Jeep’s IQS increased by 13 points.
- The Wrangler also ranked highly in the Compact SUV category
- Dodge jumped 24 positions, the largest brand gain this year
- Chrysler posted gains as well
This suggests Stellantis is prioritizing quality and refining manufacturing and customer experience across all its U.S. brands.
Lexus Still Leads Overall in Reliability
While Jeep celebrates segment wins, Lexus once again tops the overall brand reliability rankings with just 166 problems per 100 vehicles—beating every other premium and mainstream automaker. Other top mass-market brands include:
- Nissan (169 PP100)
- Hyundai (173 PP100)
- Chevrolet (178 PP100)
Final Thoughts: Gladiator’s Big Win, Tacoma’s Lasting Reign
It has been shown that the 2025 Jeep Gladiator is more than just a niche off-road vehicle. Jeep’s high IQS score shows that it is listening to its customers and making improvements to its product. Long-term Long-term dependability has allowed the Toyota Tacoma to maintain its sales dominance.
Depending on what is most important to you, buyers in 2025 can choose between proven long-term reliability (Tacoma) and early quality confidence (Gladiator).
Also Read: 2026 Mazda CX-5 Rendered Again — New CGI Brings Teasers to Life in Stunning Detail