Due to the upturned dollar exchange rate, buying a car has become an extremely expensive undertaking. Going after your "iron horse" it is important to make sure that the money will be spent on a reliable model from a well-known and respected manufacturer, and not on a capricious and frail "nag".
To find out which car brands are better and which are worse, you can refer to the 2015 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI Automobiles Report). It is a rating of 27 American and foreign auto brands on a 100-point scale of satisfaction.
Here's what it looks like dozens of car manufacturers that enjoy the most consumer confidence.
10. Volkswagen
With 80 points, the German Volkswagen ranks 10th on the list. Brand sales have fallen somewhat recently, but it has a reputation as a developer of reliable and beautiful cars. The company offers diesel engines on most of its vehicles.
9. Mazda
With the same score as Volkswagen, the Japanese Mazda ranks ninth in the ranking of the most reliable brands, according to American consumers. This brand creates externally attractive cars and focuses on their internal comfort, which not all cars can boast of.
8. Hyundai
Until the end of the 2000s, the Korean company Hyundai could not get on this list, but times are changing. With 81 customer satisfaction points, this brand is in eighth place. Its products are now competitive and of high quality, and the Solaris model in May 2015 became the leader in the Russian rating of the most popular models of new cars.
7. BMW
Hyundai is one point ahead. This is one of the few brands that improve their performance year after year (by 2.5% for 2015).
6. Toyota
I scored 82 points. Toyota cars are convenient and reliable, and usually serve their owners faithfully for many years. In the Russian market, the RAV4 SUV, as well as the Camry and Corolla sedans, are especially popular.
5. Subaru
Top 5 most popular brands with American customers opens Subaru with a score of 82 points. It offers a wide range of four-wheel drive vehicles, which are popular with those who travel a lot or live in areas with a cold climate.
4. Mercedes-Benz
The German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz scored 83 points out of a possible 100 in the ranking. It went down three lines compared to 2014, but the company still offers some of the most comfortable and luxurious cars on the market, and the new C-class has raised interior standards for the entire premium segment of mid-range cars.
3. Lincoln
Although the number of points at Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz is equal to (83), the American pushed the German out of an honorable third place. It produces luxury cars, and Lincoln limousines drove many American presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to Bush Sr.
2. Acura
For a separate division of the Japanese concern Honda, 83 points scored are a huge step forward compared to 2014. Acura cars have a huge number of available features and a low price. They are chosen by those looking for a reliable, functionally encumbered car.
1. Lexus
With a score of 84 on a 100-point customer satisfaction scale, Lexus led the ranking of automotive brands that consumers trust most. As with the Acura, Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability and comfort. At the same time, Lexus offers first-class features and manageability, which may lead some customers away from the big three German luxury car manufacturers. In Russia, Lexus ES, Lexus GS (sedans), Lexus NX, Lexus RX (crossovers), Lexus GX and Lexus LX (SUVs) are very popular.