JD Power Survey 2007 - Executive cars

Once again the Lexus is top of the class, although most execs here finished in the top 50 overall. There were a few surprises, however - most notably BMW's 5 Series.

Executive car league table

1 Lexus IS
Rating 86.8%
Overall ranking 1st=
The Lexus IS is the king of customer satisfaction. Not only is it the winner of the executive car class, but it also shares the title of overall winner of this year's survey with the Toyota Prius. If you need further proof, it achieved the same result last year, and was runner-up the year before that.

IS owners have a high opinion the car's quality and reliability. They're also keen on the styling, dashboard layout and seat comfort. There are few reported problems, although some owners had issues with the ride and controls.

Good dealer service is another benefit of Lexus ownership, and helpful staff were singled out as one of the best aspects. The only real gripe owners appear to have with the IS is the car's fuel consumption, which had the lowest score of the class.

2= BMW 3 Series
Rating 82.4%
Overall ranking 16th=
The popular BMW 3 Series keeps owners happy with an appealing design, strong dealer service and respectable running costs. The brakes, ride and controls came in for some criticism, however, as did overall comfort and convenience.

2= Jaguar S-type
Rating 82.4%
Overall ranking 16th=
S-type owners are impressed by the car's ride, handling and its good looks. The Jaguar scored the highest score in this class for performance. Mechanical and exterior problems were rated as below average.

4 Volvo V70
Rating 81.7%
Overall ranking 18th
Ride, brake and control problems drew the most complaints, but the engines and transmissions were among the best in class. Seat comfort and convenience also scored highly. Maintenance costs are higher than some rivals', though.

5= Mercedes C-Class
Rating 81.3%
Overall ranking 23rd=
The C-Class suffered few reliability problems and scored well for cabin layout, but comfort was rated as merely average.

In the past, owners criticised the Merc's maintenance costs, but are now happier that they're getting value for money.

5= Mercedes
Rating 81.3%
Overall ranking 23rd=
The E-Class's controls came in for the most criticism, while the gearbox and transmission proved very reliable, and among the best in class. Owners were concerned about the cost of repairs, but fuel economy was strongly praised.

5= MG Rover 75/ZT
Rating 81.3%
Overall ranking 23rd=
Owners of the 75 are generally happy with their cars. The distinctive styling scored well, as did the seats and overall comfort, but the engine and transmission proved less satisfactory.

The handling and ride came in for criticism, but the biggest complaint involved exterior issues.

8 Jaguar X-type
Rating 80.8%
Overall ranking 32nd
Interior reliability and the quality of dealer service are highlights of the Jaguar ownership experience.

Features and controls were reported as causing the most problems, but the transmission and the ventilation system proved reliable. Repair costs were a concern for some owners, but other running costs were rated as good.

9 Audi A6
Rating 80.7%
Overall ranking 33rd
Owners rate styling and cabin layout as the A6's best aspects, while its ride, handling and braking were the least satisfactory.

The interior caused the most reliability problems, owners said, but the cabin still received an average rating. Expensive repairs contributed to the below-average rating for ownership costs.

10 Audi A4
Rating 80.4%
Overall ranking 38th
Owners like the A4's mechanical reliability, but report problems caused by the car's interior and exterior.

The A4's styling is regarded as its most appealing aspect, but didn't rate its comfort and convenience so highly. Dealer service and ownership costs are reported as average.

11 BMW 5 Series
Rating 79.4
Overall ranking 54th
The 5 Series finishes behind all of its main rivals, and owners were unhappy with its reliability. Performance was rated as above average, while the car's interior and exterior were merely average.

High ownership costs and poor dealer service took the bloom off 5 Series ownership.

12 Saab 9-3
Rating 76.7%
Overall ranking 91st
The 9-3's quality and reliability was classed as below average, as was vehicle appeal. The car's comfort and convenience received the lowest score. Owners reckoned dealer service was poor, with the cost of repair work the main grievance.

13 Saab 9-5
Rating 76.2%
Overall ranking 95th
The 9-5 was let down by low scores for mechanical reliability, and interior and exterior quality. Owners found the engine and transmission the most unappealing aspect of 9-5 ownership, but appreciated the car's comfort.

Executive car league table