Tesla
Though its CEO is a polarizing figure, Tesla remains one of the top electric vehicle manufacturers out there. Founded in 2003 and named after the one and only Nikola Tesla, Tesla is arguably the most prominent EV manufacturer and deserves credit for popularizing the segment as a whole.
Rivian
The most loved car brand by far - based on consumer satisfaction reports - is also one of the youngest. Rivian was founded as recently as 2009, and specializes in manufacturing electric vehicles for both everyday use and adventurous sojourns across a variety of rugged terrains.
BMW
Does BMW really need any introduction? The company is over a century old at this point, having been founded in 1916. They’re the parent company of badges like MINI and Rolls-Royce, and their huge catalog of cars caters to just about every taste - provided you can afford it, of course.
Porsche
Porsche remains one of the most popular luxury brands to this day. They’re known, of course, for classics such as the 911, and racing cars like the 917, both of which are fine examples of what the company’s engineers are capable of. Their vehicles are always in high demand.
Lexus
Although critics don’t always like what they have to offer, Lexus consistently impresses the general public with their fantastic output of vehicles ranging from sedans and coupes to hybrids and SUVs. As a division of Toyota Motor Corporation, Lexus has grown to be one of Japan’s top brands.
Chevrolet
Despite being over a century old at this point, Chevrolet has hardly faltered in the quality of their vehicles. Alongside Ford, Chevy is one of the few remaining vanguards of the classic American spirit of automotive innovation. While it’s arguable that the company peaked in the latter half of the 20th century, they’ve admirably kept up with the times.
Lincoln
Like Chevrolet before it, Lincoln is another classic American motor company, and is possibly the country’s best luxury manufacturer. A division of Ford Motor Company, Lincoln specializes in elegant styling, with the Continental, Town Car, and Navigator being some of their most popular nameplates.
Subaru
Subaru’s output may not be the most impressive, at least from a visual standpoint, but many drivers have clearly been won over by the company’s “Confidence in Motion” mantra, which emphasizes safety and comfort. This is a manufacturer that puts its drivers first, and critics second.
Genesis
A subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, Genesis was the very first luxury brand by a Korean automaker. It takes a lot of confidence to go up against the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but Genesis clearly has the secret sauce, based on these consumer satisfaction ratings.
Ford
What is there to say about Ford that most people don’t know already? Despite their 10th place position on this list, Ford is still arguably America’s most well-loved vehicle brand thanks to the nostalgia factor alone. In fact, they remain - to this day - as one of the world’s largest and most successful automotive manufacturers.
GMC
Stereotype or not, many Americans love their pick-ups, and so deserve a brand dedicated exclusively to them. GMC is that brand, specializing in heavy-duty vehicles with an upscale quality. They enjoy a strong reputation thanks to the likes of the Sierra and the Yukon.
Hyundai
Founded in South Korea in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company (or simply Hyundai) has grown to be that country’s most popular automotive manufacturer based on consumer report surveys. They’re known for vehicles like the Santa Fe, Palisade, and Venue, and cater to a wide variety of tastes.
Toyota
Their vehicles may not be fancy; their vehicles may be cheaper than some of the more upscale brands on this list, but there’s no denying that Toyota is immensely popular. In fact, in terms of numbers alone, Toyota is actually the world’s largest automotive manufacturer, maintaining a huge global presence.
Honda
Honda’s origins are humble, beginning as a company that attached engines to bicycles before making the leap to motorcycles and, finally, automobiles. Their most popular models are the Civic and Accord (names we’re sure you know well), but, arguably, their best work can still mostly be found in their motorcycles.
Cadillac
Cadillac is one of the oldest names on this list, and while it’s not as revered as it once was, the company remains one of America’s top luxury manufacturers. Founded in 1902, the folks over at Cadillac were the first to mass-produce the V8 engine, and they’ve carried this innovative spirit forward into the 21st century.
Kia
Despite the relative modesty of the vehicles they produce, Kia is actually the world’s fifth-largest automotive manufacturer. They’re a consumer-first type of brand, focusing on offering competitive prices and sustainable warranties, even if the vehicles themselves aren’t the most outwardly impressive.
Volvo
Founded in 1927, Volvo is Sweden’s premier automotive manufacturer, a company dedicated to making life easier, safer, and more comfortable. They have a history of safety equipment innovations (like the three-point seatbelt), and are committed to being as sustainable as possible.
Mazda
Mazda may not be the most beloved brand (if these consumer satisfaction reports are anything to go by), but they were arguably the first Asian manufacturer to give the Americans and Europeans a real run for their money. They still produce quality vehicles to this day, and their most popular vehicles are cultural icons.
Acura
Acura was the very first Japanese luxury brand to make its debut in the American market. They’re a division of Honda, and focus specifically on creating upscale vehicles that can cater to a wide variety of tastes, from performance junkies to luxury enjoyers.
Audi
A subsidiary of the VW group, you could argue that Audi is actually more popular than its parent company. However, despite an illustrious history of innovation and engineering excellence, Audi isn’t held in nearly as high regard as it used to be, with a satisfaction score of 2 out of 5.
Buick
Despite their low placement on this list, nobody can take away Buick’s legendary status. Historically, they are the oldest American automotive marque that is still active to this day, focusing on luxurious amenities and upscale features. Unfortunately, they rank low in terms of satisfaction, with only 59% of owners reporting that they would buy another Buick.
Ram
Ram began its life as a Chrysler model before it became a standalone brand in 2009. That makes it fairly young compared to many other brands on this list, and although it has produced some quality vehicles over the years, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it has yet to carve a real niche for itself.
Chrysler
Speaking of Chrysler, that brand also ranks fairly low in terms of consumer satisfaction, with a score of 2 out of 5. And what a shame that is, considering that these are the guys who produced the first-ever minivan.
Nissan
Nissan is known for the wide range of vehicles it produces, from sedans and EVs to SUVs and hybrids. It has maintained a steady and fairly consistent output over the years, but it's hardly anyone’s favorite manufacturer, and they currently have a satisfaction rating of only 2 out of 5.
Volkswagen
Clearly, the “People’s Car” manufacturer needs to work on impressing the people even more. Although VW’s status as a 20th-century icon can never be refuted, it has clearly had a tough time appealing to modern audiences. Maybe another version of the Beetle is in order.
Mercedes-Benz
Unfortunately, Germany’s other top brand doesn’t come out of this unscathed. Mercedes-Benz is, of course, known for its luxury vehicles, such as the S-Class, as well as for being the world’s oldest automotive manufacturer. Unfortunately, if these consumer satisfaction ratings are anything to go by, the company may be a bit long in the tooth at this point.
Jeep
Look, Jeep is still a titan of the off-road, an iconic American brand associated with ruggedness. Reliability, however? Not so much. While it’s unlikely that they’re going anywhere anytime soon, it is clear that Jeep needs to do something to improve its reputation with the average driver.
Most Comfortable - Rivian
When you’re off-roading in an SUV, comfort is important, and Rivian has all other manufacturers beat in this regard. This is probably best exemplified by the R1S SUV, which offers a spacious interior, adjustable air suspension, and plush seats.
Least Comfortable - Ram
Unfortunately, when it comes to comfort, Ram trucks sorely miss the mark. This is likely due to them being work-oriented, heavy-duty vehicles that prioritize towing capacity over comfort.
Best Driving - Porsche
Rating driving mechanics depends on what you prioritize, be it speed, agility, or handling. Porsche tends to offer a superb balance, with vehicles like the 911 S/T being a great road-focused, driver-oriented vehicle.
Worst Driving - Volkswagen
Unfortunately, while models like the Golf remain popular, VW doesn’t rank high in the driving department, mostly due to issues with reliability and poor ergonomics.
Best Cabin Storage - Tesla
When it comes to cabin storage, Tesla has everyone else beat with the likes of the Cybertruck and Model X offering plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
Worst Cabin Storage - Audi
Despite the luxurious quality of their interiors, Audi misses the mark when it comes to cabin storage, with models like the Q7 having an especially shallow center console and teeny-tiny door pockets.
Best Ownership Costs - Rivian
Ownership costs come in the form of fuel prices, insurance, and maintenance, all of which can put a pretty big dent in your wallet. That said, if you’re looking to avoid needing to mortgage your home to own a car, you won’t be disappointed by Rivian.
Worst Ownership Costs - Ram
On the flip side, Ram’s ownership costs can become pretty unwieldy. This is often the case with larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs, which are incredibly fuel-intensive and often expensive to repair.
