Consumer Reports, a US-based nonprofit organisation that conducts research and advocacy on consumer issues, has released its 2023 brand ranking, with BMW taking the top spot. The rankings are based on a survey of over 430,000 vehicle owners, evaluating reliability, road tests, safety features, and owner satisfaction.

BMW's first-place ranking is a significant improvement over last year when it ranked fifth. The German automaker earned praise for its "excellent road-test performance and high owner satisfaction scores." Consumer Reports noted that BMW has been working to improve the reliability of its vehicles, with fewer issues reported in recent years.

Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, took the second spot, followed by Mazda, Subaru, and Porsche. American automaker Tesla dropped from third to seventh place, with Consumer Reports noting that the company's "inconsistent build quality" contributed to the decline.

Other notable results include Toyota and Honda, which ranked sixth and eighth, respectively, and are the only two brands to have consistently appeared in the top 10 since Consumer Reports began the ranking in 2000.

The rankings also highlighted the continued popularity of SUVs and crossovers, with every brand in the top 10 offering at least one model in those categories. Consumer Reports noted that SUVs and crossovers are in high demand due to their versatility and spaciousness, which has led to many automakers prioritising these models in their lineups.

The rankings also included a separate category for electric vehicles (EVs), with Tesla taking the top spot. However, the category only included five brands, all of which produce EVs exclusively.

Consumer Reports' brand ranking is a widely respected and influential report, with many car buyers using it as a guide when making purchasing decisions. Automakers that perform well in the ranking can use the results in their marketing efforts, while those that do not can face challenges in attracting buyers.