Previously known as the Brand Image Awards, the Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice Awards recognize automakers whose model lines of cars, trucks, and SUVs create enthusiasm among shoppers. These awards have been rebranded to emphasize that they are determined by the opinions of in-market car shoppers. For more than 15 years, Kelley Blue Book has researched this data as part of its annual study of new-car shoppers’ perceptions. The brands that win these awards excite and attract new shoppers. And doing this is essential when it comes to success in the marketplace.
The Consumer Choice Awards cover 14 categories for mainstream and luxury brands, including overall winners for EV/hybrid and truck. Categories cover key attributes like value, trust, and the in-vehicle experience. Without further ado, here are this year’s Consumer Choice Award winners, based on Kelley Blue Book data from our annual Brand Watch Study.
Best Brands
Best Overall Brand: Honda
Quality, innovation, and a focus on helpful features make Honda this year’s winner.
Most Trusted Brand: Honda
Honda is considered the most trusted brand because its vehicles are known to be practical, fuel-efficient, and reliable.
Best In-Vehicle Experience Brand: Honda
Honda wins this new category, where shoppers praised ride comfort, advanced tech, and interior quality and amenities.
Best Performance Brand: Honda
When it comes to Honda performance, start with the track-ready 315-horsepower Civic Type R. And throughout the vehicle lineup, Hondas are known for their excellent steering and handling.
Best Car Styling Brand: Dodge
Dodge returns to the podium in this category, thanks to the brand’s signature muscle-car looks and head-turning retro style.
Best Luxury Brands
Best Overall Luxury Brand: Lexus
Lexus ranks highest for reliability, reputation, value for the money, fuel efficiency, and driving comfort.
Most Trusted Luxury Brand: Lexus
Lexus has been the Most Trusted Luxury Brand since 2016.
Best Value Luxury Brand: Buick
Buick is back on the podium with upscale yet attainable models like the Envista and Enclave.
Most Refined Luxury Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz interiors are as crisp, elegant, and finely crafted as the exteriors.
Best Performance Luxury Brand: Porsche
Porsche’s storied track experience is a part of the company’s DNA, and it’s a part of every vehicle in the lineup.
Best Car Styling Luxury Brand: Mercedes-Benz
From the sleek EQ line to the classic boxy G-Class, Mercedes-Benz models have a distinctive range of looks that are simultaneously contemporary and classic.
Best Overall EV/Hybrid Brand
Best Overall EV/Hybrid Brand: Honda
Honda’s electrified cars and SUVs seamlessly blend power and efficiency.
Best Overall Truck Brand
Best Overall Truck Brand: Ram
The Ram truck lineup combines power, capability, and efficiency and offers some of the finest interiors you will find in a truck.
About the Consumer Choice Awards
New cars, trucks, and SUVs represent a lot more than mere transportation. They serve as ways for consumers to say something about themselves while going from Point A to Point B. For many drivers, the goal is to get away from it all. For others, an SUV is essential for an active outdoor lifestyle. And for others yet, having an all-electric vehicle is the ultimate goal.
With this wide variety of shoppers’ interests, gauging this popularity is no easy task. The Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice Awards use the opinions from more than 12,000 in-market, new-vehicle shoppers. These are informed consumers who extensively research their vehicle purchases on KBB.com. We follow this audience through our annual Brand Watch Study, which compiles consumer trends and attitudes on new vehicles available today.
The Brand Watch Study samples both mobile and desktop users. This allows the study to reflect the views of a more diverse group of respondents. Since 2007, the brand-level study has included more than 180,000 interviews. Since 2012, the model-level study has included more than 500,000 interviews.
