Top 10 Car Brands

Qualities Of The Best Used Car Brands

In the auto market, the reputation of a car brand is a significant factor in the decision of a car buyer.  If a car manufacturer gets a bad rep from a failed release, or from car models that do not reach expectation, it is tougher to break out of the shell and change the perception of the consumers on the next go round.  Part of brand recognition is heavily based on marketing.  Combined with actual performance, brand marketing allows a car manufacturer to be associated with a certain category.  For example, Toyota and Honda are known for their reliability, safety, environmental initiatives, and technologies.  On the other hand, European car brands are associated with luxury and stylish design.  As car brands develop their identity, they can define their own market niche, or use their identity to compete with other markets.

The best judge in determining the top ten used cars are the consumers themselves.  Consumer feedback and word of mouth is the biggest factor that contributes to the car brand’s long-term success.  Each consumer has different biases based on what they need out of a car.  But as an aggregate, we can have a better idea which car brand is ahead of the race.  Let us look at the top ten used car brands in the last five years

Toyota

In the latest car brand perception survey from Consumer Report (http://consumerreport.com), Toyota snagged one of the highest honors for their safety and reliability standards, quality, and environmental friendliness.  This is further evidenced by exemplary sales figures of the Toyota Camry™.  Toyota also brought hybrid engines to the mainstream market with its Toyota Prius™.  For families who want dependable and affordable vehicles, this Japanese car brand is at least in the top half of everyone's top ten used cars list.

Honda

Honda follows Toyota among the top ten best used cars in the last five years.  The most impressive feature of Honda cars is its bang for buck reputation.  Honda owners think that they are making a smart purchase, since the models like the Civic™, Accord™, and CRV™ bring the most into the plate along with their competitive pricing.  In addition, the low prices do not mean that Honda cars models depreciate easily.  Their durability and set of features give Honda models a high trade-in value.

Volvo

Volvo's reputation for safety allows them to be one of the top ten used cars today.  Volvo's main selling point has always been road safety.  With American consumers placing a premium on auto safety, it is no wonder why Volvo continues to impress.  Volvo's safety features include laminated windshields, three point seat belts, childproof door locks, side air bags, and anti-lock brakes.  However, Toyota and Honda are slowly catching up in this aspect.

Subaru

Subaru earned its place as one of the top ten best used car brands in the past five years because of its consistency on a variety of consumer priorities.  Subaru car models are known for their relative safety - thanks to the standard all-wheel drive in their units, style, and reliability.  Subaru cars are priced at a competitive level and prove to be a dependable alternative to Toyota and Honda.  For the right deal, Subaru cars are as smart a choice as other leading car brands.

Ford

On many levels, this car brand has dominated the hearts of the American consumer.  But having foreign competition has also pushed them to raise their game and maintain their market share.  Ford car models are known for their relative safety and value.  Their popular models include the Ford F150™ pickup, the Ford Expedition™, and the Ford Escape™.  Although late in the game, they were able to develop impressive diesel vehicles and hybrid models to score well on environmental friendliness.

The Other Five Top Car Brands

Following the five above, the competition is decisively cutthroat.  Car brands that are highly regarded due to luxury and style while being able to fare well in other aspects include Mercedes Benz, Lexus, and BMW.  When it comes to engine performance, speed, handling, and overall driving experience, Porsche and Chevrolet make the cut.  The Benz is the most recognizable name when it comes to sports cars and luxury driving, spurred by the excellent build quality of the Mercedes S-series.  Although Porsche is on the pricey side, it is still a consistent enough brand to be highly favored by car buyers.  Porsche holds the "I'd buy it if I have the money" niche.

Each of the top ten best used cars has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.  Each car brand also has their agenda and priorities in serving the consuming public.  Since each of these car brands excels on their respective markets, it is hard to compare one over the other.  In the end, buying a car based on the brand is not enough if you want to bag your perfect car.

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