Consumer Reports has released its 2021 Brand Report Card, which looks considerably different than the 2020 edition.
Mazda, BMW, and Subaru come out on top. Alfa Romeo places last, just ahead of Land Rover and Mitsubishi.
The biggest changes come in the middle of the rankings. Chrysler, Buick, and Honda each moved up five spots from last year’s scores. Lincoln, meanwhile, fell fifteen. Genesis fell 13 spots, and Kia, 10.
CR explains, “We compile the report card by looking at the Overall Score for each model, factoring in road-test performance, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. Then we average all of them to come up with a brand Overall Score.”
It’s important to note, however, that while CR’s method attempts to evaluate an automaker’s entire lineup, automakers can have both higher- and lower-quality models for sale at the same time. It’s important to research the individual car you’re interested in more than the overall reputation of the company that builds it.
