Engineer Ranks Japanese Car Brands BEST To WORST In Build Quality

Summary

In this video, automotive expert David from Automotive Press joins Car Help Corner to discuss the build quality of Japanese automakers, ranking them from best to worst. Toyota and Lexus take the top spot for their unmatched manufacturing efficiency and high-quality control, followed by Honda for its solid engineering and reliability. Mazda shines for its innovation in manufacturing, though it lags in long-term reliability. Subaru, Nissan, and Mitsubishi round out the lower spots, with Nissan struggling due to recent challenges. The discussion also briefly touches on the rising quality of Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Toyota and Lexus rank at the top for Japanese build quality due to their meticulous continuous improvement philosophy (Kaizen) and global manufacturing standards.
• 🔧 Honda takes the second spot, offering strong engineering, solid manufacturing quality, and excellent long-term reliability, though slightly below Toyota in fit and finish.
• 🚗 Mazda ranks third, praised for its innovation in manufacturing and engineering, with exceptional panel alignment and paint quality comparable to luxury vehicles.
• 🌄 Subaru follows closely behind Mazda, known for its robust build quality, proven reliability, and conservative yet consistent manufacturing processes.
• ⚙️ Nissan ranks fifth; once a leader in automation and manufacturing, it has declined in recent years due to financial and management challenges.
• 🚙 Mitsubishi shares a similar level of build quality with Nissan, producing well-built cars like the Outlander but lacking Toyota-level long-term reliability.
• 🇯🇵 Japanese factories, particularly those of Toyota and Lexus, employ highly experienced 'Takumi' specialists, contributing to superior craftsmanship and consistency.
• 🧠 Mazda stands out for its flexible production systems, capable of producing multiple models on a single line—an efficiency unmatched by most competitors.
• 🌍 Toyota’s global quality control system ensures consistent standards between Japanese and North American factories, with award-winning plants like Cambridge, Canada.
• 🇰🇷 Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have improved drastically, now nearly matching Japanese brands in quality, though they struggle during new model launches.
• 📈 Overall, Japanese automakers—especially Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Subaru—maintain a significant global advantage in reliability, manufacturing precision, and quality control.

Q & A

Which Japanese automaker is considered the best in terms of build quality?

Toyota is considered the best in terms of build quality, especially due to its manufacturing efficiency, focus on continuous improvement, and low-cost production without compromising quality. Lexus, which is Toyota's luxury division, also follows this high standard.

How do Toyota's North American factories compare to its Japanese factories?

Toyota's North American factories generally follow the same high global standards as its Japanese factories. However, there are differences in the level of experience, with Japanese factories employing more seasoned workers (takumi specialists) who have decades of experience, especially in producing higher-end models like the Lexus LC500.

What distinguishes Honda's manufacturing quality from Toyota's?

Honda ranks second in terms of overall build quality, slightly below Toyota. Honda's manufacturing is engineering-focused, and their vehicles generally have solid build quality. However, their paint quality and panel gaps are often not as tight as Toyota’s, making Toyota slightly superior in these aspects.

Why does Mazda rank third in terms of Japanese automaker build quality?

Mazda ranks third due to its innovative manufacturing techniques and high-quality engineering. While their panel fit, panel alignment, and paint quality are better than Honda’s, Mazda's long-term reliability doesn't quite match Honda’s. Mazda also has one of the most flexible manufacturing systems in the industry.

How does Mazda's build quality compare to Honda's?

Mazda has superior quality in terms of panel fit, panel alignment, and paint job when compared to Honda. However, Honda still edges out Mazda in terms of long-term reliability. Mazda is close to Honda but lacks a bit in durability over time.

What role does innovation play in Mazda's manufacturing?

Mazda is highly innovative in manufacturing, with a flexible system that allows them to produce multiple models simultaneously. This gives them an edge in terms of manufacturing efficiency and product variety, setting them apart from other automakers like Honda.

What is Subaru's ranking compared to other Japanese automakers?

Subaru ranks just below Mazda and Honda, but very close to both. It is recognized for producing reliable vehicles with high-quality manufacturing, especially in terms of fit and finish. Subaru also focuses heavily on long-term durability and reliability.

How does Subaru’s manufacturing compare to Mazda’s?

Subaru and Mazda are quite close in terms of build quality, with Mazda having a slight edge in innovation and manufacturing flexibility. However, Subaru is a smaller company and tends to be more conservative in its manufacturing innovations, but its reliability is highly valued.

Why is Nissan ranked lower compared to other Japanese brands?

Nissan ranks lower due to recent challenges in quality and manufacturing, largely caused by financial struggles and leadership changes. While historically Nissan had high manufacturing capabilities, recent product issues, including CVT transmission problems, have affected their overall quality.

What is the relationship between Nissan and Mitsubishi in terms of build quality?

Nissan and Mitsubishi share many manufacturing practices and models due to their joint ownership. Both brands have had struggles with consistency, but some models from both brands, like the Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander, still maintain high build quality. However, they are both ranked lower compared to top brands like Toyota, Honda, and Mazda.

How do Hyundai and Kia compare to Japanese automakers in terms of build quality?

Hyundai and Kia, along with their luxury division Genesis, are now very competitive with Japanese automakers in terms of build quality. While they may lag behind in the first few years of a vehicle’s life, they quickly catch up and sometimes surpass Japanese brands in reliability and build quality after a few years of use.

Why do new Hyundai and Kia models sometimes face issues with initial quality?

Hyundai and Kia often face issues with initial quality in new models due to teething problems with new designs or technology. However, once these models mature, they perform at or above the level of many Japanese models in terms of reliability and build quality.