For over 15 years, the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards have recognized automakers whose model lines of cars, trucks, and SUVs create enthusiasm among shoppers. Brand image isn’t just whether or not consumers know that a brand exists. The automakers that are awarded here have brand images that can excite and attract new car shoppers. And doing this is essential when it comes to success in the marketplace.
This year, to reflect the changing marketplace, we’ve added a new award: Best Overall EV Brand. Without further ado, here are this year’s 14 Brand Image Award winners, based on Kelley Blue Book data from our annual Brand Watch Study.
Best Brands
Best Overall Brand: Honda
Honda’s impressive range of fresh vehicles and terrific quality make it this year’s winner.
Most Trusted Brand: Toyota
Toyota’s legendary reliability is only part of why it is this year’s Most Trusted Brand award winner.
Best Value Brand: Honda
Value has always been part of Honda’s DNA. Honda has won this award every year since 2015.
Most Refined Brand: Dodge
Polished and built with quality materials, Dodges have smooth lines and civilized interiors.
Best Performance Brand: Dodge
Known for raw power and retro-cool looks, Dodge has multiple models that offer more than 700 horsepower.
Best Styling Brand: Ford
The superb Bronco and tidy Maverick are two terrific examples of Ford’s eye-catching style.
Best Luxury Brands
Most Trusted Luxury Brand: Lexus
Lexus has been the Most Trusted Luxury Brand since 2016.
Best Value Luxury Brand: Tesla
For the fourth year in a row, Tesla is the Brand Image Awards winner in the Value Luxury category.
Best Performance Luxury Brand: Tesla
Tesla has four models that can reach 60 mph in under four seconds.
Best Styling Luxury Brand: Porsche
Porsche is known for sleek looks and timeless classic design.
Best Overall EV Brand
Best EV Brand: Tesla
Tesla models are stylish, quick, and offer impressive range.
Best Overall Truck Brand
Best Truck Brand: Toyota
Excellent resale value, capability, and reliability are Toyota truck hallmarks.
About the Brand Image 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 Brand Image Awards use the opinions from more than 12,000 in-market, new-vehicle shoppers. These are informed consumers who extensively research their vehicle purchase on KBB.com. We follow this audience through our annual Brand Watch Study, which compiles consumer trends and attitudes on new vehicles available today. This year, 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.
