Which brands build the best cars? Well, Consumer Reports has just weighed in with its manufacturer rankings for 2024 in tandem with its “top 10 cars to buy” list. The rankings combined Consumer Reports road test scores, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction and safety into an Overall Score. Brands needed at least two models tested in order to qualify. Suffice it to say, it’s a comprehensive system.
You should treat these rankings with some caution, however. Consumer Reports does do very rigorous testing, but the rankings swing wildly year to year; Cadillac jumped 11 places on this year’s list and Dodge fell by 10 spots. And more reliable software — the sort of thing CR ranks highly — can also mean a manufacturer isn’t pushing the envelope with advanced features.
BMW retained its position at the top of the list; Consumer Reports’s formula doesn’t factor in aesthetics. Here are the top five brands overall.
BMW
- Overall Score: 82
- Road Test Score: 88
Consumer Reports recommended 12 out of 12 BMW vehicles. The X5 landed on the brand’s 10-best new cars list.
