There are many factors to consider when shopping for a new vehicle, but thankfully outlets such as Consumer Reports helps to make it easier for car buyers. Consumers have more choices than ever when it comes to shopping for a car, truck, minivan, or SUV, so how are you supposed to know how to narrow down your options to the very best? Consumer Reports put together its Brand Report Card listing the best car manufacturers for 2022.
To achieve these scores, Consumer Reports performed more than 50 tests on each vehicle, including handling, convenience, braking, comfort, fuel economy, and safety, and it ranked 32 brands based on road test evaluations, reliability, owner satisfaction, available safety features, and crash-test ratings. Here are the top 10 best car manufacturers for 2022 according to Consumer Reports’ 2022 Brand Report Card:
1. Subaru
Subaru is a Japanese automobile manufacturer known for its quality parts and precision engineering. SUV models include the Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and Ascent. The Impreza and Legacy are sedans offered by Subaru, while the BRZ and WRX are performance cars.
According to Forbes, Subaru is the best car manufacturer for 2022 with a Consumer Reports score of 81. Subaru is the only car manufacturer to receive a “much better than average” rating on this list.
2. Mazda
Japan is also home to Mazda Motor Corporation, more commonly known as Mazda. Crossovers and SUVs from the Mazda brand include the CX-30, CX-5, CX-50, and CX-9. Mazda also offers a Mazda3 Sedan and Mazda3 Hatchback, as well as the MX-5 Miata and MX-5 Miata RF. The MX-30 EV is a fully electric crossover SUV from Mazda. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda as better than average in second place with a score of 78.
3. BMW
BMW is a German car manufacturer best known for its luxury vehicles. BMW offers SAVs or sport activity vehicles instead of SUVs with the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X3 M, X4 M, X5 M, X6 M, and iX. Sedans and gran coupes include 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, M3, M5, M8, i4, and i7. The 2, 4, 8, M4, and M8 are coupes, while the 4, 8, Z4, M4, and M8 are convertibles.
The iX, i4, and i7 are electric vehicles from BMW. With a score of 78 from Consumer Reports, BMW scored third on the brand report card for 2022.
4. Honda
Another Japanese car manufacturer that ranks in the top 10 is Honda. Honda also manufactures motorcycles and power equipment along with their automobiles. SUV and crossover options include the HR-V, CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Pilot, and Passport. Honda sedans are the Civic, Insight, Accord, Civic Si, and Accord Hybrid. Two hatchbacks are also available: Civic Hatchback and Civic Type R TC. Honda also manufactures the Odyssey minivan and Ridgeline truck. The Insight, Accord Hybrid, and CR-V Hybrid are also electrified.
Kelley Blue Book ranks Honda as the best overall brand, best value brand, and most refined brand. It has been KBB’s best-value brand since 2015. Consumer Reports gives Honda a fourth-place finish with a score of 77.
5. Lexus
Lexus, another Japanese brand, is the second luxury brand to top the list of car manufacturers. Lexus SUVs include UX Hybrid, NX, NX Hybrid, NX Plug-In Electric Vehicle, RX, RX Hybrid, GX, and LX. For sedans, they have the IS, IS 500, ES, ES Hybrid, LS, and LS Hybrid. Coupes include the RC, RC F, LC, LC Hybrid, and LC Convertible. As you can see by the list, Lexus offers several hybrid and electric options for drivers who want to save on fuel. KBB ranks Lexus as the most trusted luxury brand for 2022, and Consumer Reports gives a 77 score and ranks the manufacturer as fifth.
6. Audi
Audi is the third luxury vehicle and the second German manufacturer to make the list of best car manufacturers. Audi offers a long list of SUVs, including e-tron, e-tron Sportback, e-tron S, e-tron S Sportback, Q3, Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron, Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, Q7, SQ7, Q8, SQ8, and RS Q8. Sedans and wagons are also plentiful and include e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT, A3, S3, RS 3 Sedan, A4 Sedan, A4 allroad quattro, S4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S6 Sedan, A6 allroad quattro, RS 6 Avant, A8, and S8.
For coupes and convertibles, Audi offers A5 Coupe, S5 Coupe, RS 5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, S5 Cabriolet, TT Coupe, TTS Coupe, TT RS Coupe, TT Roadster, R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder. Several of these vehicles are electrified as well. Audi scored 75 for sixth place on the Consumer Reports 2022 Brand Report Card.
7. Porsche
Porsche is yet another German luxury car manufacturer to make the list. Luxury SUVs include the Cayenne and Macan. The Panamera and Taycan are sedans available from Porsche, while the 911 Carrera, 911 Targa, 911 Turbo, 911 GT3, 911 Sport Classic, 718 Cayman GT4, 718 Spyder, and Cayman GT4 RS are sport coupes. KBB awarded Porsche the best performance luxury brand and best styling luxury brand for 2022. Porsche comes in seventh place with a score of 74 for Consumer Reports.
8. MINI
MINI is a British car manufacturer owned by BMW. The MINI offers a distinctive style in several available models: Hardtop 2 Door, Hardtop 4 Door, Countryman, Clubman, Convertible, John Cooper Works, Electric, and Special Editions. Current Special Editions include Untamed, Untold, Resolute, Pat Moss, and Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk. Consumer Reports gave MINI a 74 to cinch eighth place.
9. Toyota
Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 million vehicles each year, and is headquartered in Japan. SUV models include Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Venza, C-HR, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Corolla Cross, 4Runner, bZ4X, and Sequoia. Car options include Prius Prime, Prius, Corolla, Corolla Hybrid, Corolla Hatchback, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Mirai, GR86, and GR Supra. Toyota also makes the Sienna minivan as well as the Tacoma, Tundra, and Tundra i-FORCE MAX trucks. Toyota landed the best truck brand from KBB in 2022 and ranked ninth with a 74 for Consumer Reports.
10. Infiniti
Infiniti is the luxury division of Japanese automaker Nissan and rounds out the top 10 best car manufacturers list. SUV options are the QX50, QX55, QX60, and QX80. Sedans and coupes include Q50 and Q60. Infiniti scored 72 on the Consumer Reports 2022 Brand Report Card, placing it at number 10.
Any of these manufacturers will provide you with a reliable vehicle, and with so many models to choose from, you’re certain to find one you love. The best car manufacturer is one that makes a vehicle you love to drive.
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