Top Car Brands to Drive in Style and Performance

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, discerning drivers are in search of brands that not only promise luxury and performance but also reliability and innovation. Renowned names like Toyota and Honda consistently top the charts for their steadfast dependability, while brands such as Tesla lead with groundbreaking advancements in electric vehicle technology. Mercedes-Benz and BMW offer unparalleled luxury experiences coupled with impressive performance metrics. For a comprehensive breakdown of what makes these brands stand out, and to discover additional noteworthy contenders, explore the list below.

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Best brands of car in 2025

Toyota

Toyota is renowned as one of the best car producers globally, having achieved a cumulative global production of 300 million cars as of September 2023, with the Corolla series leading at 53.399 million units. In 2023, Toyota held 10.7% of the global market share, solidifying its position as the world's largest auto manufacturer. The company's U.S. sales for 2023 saw a 6.6% increase, with 2,248,477 vehicles sold. Toyota's success is also reflected in its strong market presence, with models like the Camry, RAV4, and Corolla being top sellers in various regions. The company's commitment to innovation and quality has enabled it to maintain a significant market share ahead of competitors like Volkswagen and Honda. For more detailed insights, visit Toyota's official news release.

Honda

Honda is one of the leading car producers, demonstrating strong performance in various markets. In 2023, American Honda sales surged by 33%, with the Honda brand alone seeing a 31.9% increase, selling 1,162,531 units. The brand also set an all-time sales record for its electrified models, with the CR-V and Accord hybrids combining for 293,640 units, representing over a quarter of total Honda brand sales. Honda's market share in the U.S. rose to 7.75% in the recent quarter, up 1.45 percentage points from the previous year. For more comprehensive insights, visit the American Honda sales report.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a leading automotive brand, known for its luxury and performance vehicles. In 2023, the company achieved over $36 billion in revenue in the US, accounting for nearly a quarter of its global revenue, and captured 2.2% of the U.S. light vehicle market. Mercedes-Benz also recorded a customer satisfaction index score of 83 in 2024, 4% higher than the previous year and above the luxury vehicle average. The brand is valued at $85 billion and is the second most valuable German brand worldwide, with a brand value of $58.8 billion in 2023. Mercedes-Benz sold 2,491,600 vehicles in 2023, a 1.5% increase despite supply-chain constraints. For more detailed insights, explore Mercedes-Benz statistics.

BMW

BMW is one of the leading car producers globally, known for its premium vehicles and significant market presence. In 2023, BMW delivered over 2.55 million vehicles worldwide, with the United States accounting for 15.6% of its sales. The company saw a notable increase in electric vehicle sales, with a 63% surge in the U.S. market in the first quarter of 2024. BMW maintained its position as the largest global premium segment marque, with the BMW brand selling 2,100,692 units worldwide in 2022. The company also reported strong growth in electrified vehicles, with sales up by 35.6% in 2022 compared to the previous year. For detailed information on BMW's sales figures in the U.S., please visit their official sales report page.

Ford

Ford is one of the leading automobile manufacturers, renowned for its dominance in the truck market, with the Ford F-Series being America's best-selling truck and vehicle for the 42nd consecutive year in 2023. In 2023, Ford sold nearly 2 million vehicles in the U.S., with a 7.1% increase in sales, and the F-Series alone accounted for 750,789 units, a 15% increase over the previous year. Ford also captured a 12.23% market share in the U.S. as of Q3 2024 and maintained a significant global presence with a 4.4% worldwide market share in 2023. The company's innovative offerings, including the top-selling electric truck F-150 Lightning and the F-150 Hybrid, have been key to its success. Ford's commitment to providing a range of powertrain options has set it apart from competitors. For more details, you can refer to Ford's U.S. sales report.

Tesla

Tesla remains a leading producer of electric vehicles, having delivered a record 1.81 million units in 2023, a 38% year-over-year increase, and producing 1.85 million vehicles in the same year, marking a 35% year-over-year growth. In the third quarter of 2024, Tesla produced 469,696 vehicles and delivered 462,890, indicating a strong market presence. Tesla holds a significant market share, with its global BEV market share standing at 17% as of the first five months of 2024, although this has slightly declined from 19% in the previous year. The company's success is also evident in its financial performance, with revenue reaching $96.8 billion in 2023. Tesla's models, particularly the Model 3 and Model Y, continue to be top sellers, contributing to its dominant position in the US EV market. For more details about Tesla's innovations and achievements, visit their official website.

Audi

Audi is one of the leading car manufacturers, renowned for its premium quality and innovative technologies. In 2023, Audi delivered around 1.9 million vehicles worldwide, marking a 17.4% increase in sales, with the Q5 and A6 being the top-selling models. The company also experienced a noteworthy 51% surge in electric vehicle sales, delivering over 178,000 fully electric vehicles. Despite challenges such as the pandemic and global chip shortages, Audi's production volume rebounded to 1.94 million units in 2023, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year. Audi's strong performance is bolstered by its robust financials, including an operating profit of EUR 6.3 billion and an operating return on sales of 9.0% in 2023. For more detailed insights, visit the Audi Worldwide Car Sales by Country and Models.

Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Company has established itself as one of the leading automobile producers globally, celebrating significant milestones such as producing 100 million vehicles in just 57 years. In the third quarter of 2024, Hyundai set a new record for Q3 retail sales with 210,971 units, representing a 5% increase over Q3 2023, and saw a 36% increase in hybrid vehicle sales. For the full year 2023, Hyundai brand sales exceeded 800,000 vehicles in the U.S., marking an 11% increase from 2022, with a market share remaining above 10% at 10.31%. Hyundai's market share in the U.S. retail market has risen to third place, with 12% of the market share as of 2022. The company continues to solidify its electrification leadership with models like the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. For more detailed insights, visit their official newsroom.

Porsche

Porsche stands as a pinnacle in the luxury automotive industry, boasting a brand value of $36.759 billion in 2023, surpassing renowned brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. The company has seen a significant 72.53% increase in revenue from 2017 to 2023 and achieved an impressive automotive operating profit of EUR6.938 billion in 2023, reflecting a 633.40% growth since 2012. Porsche's top-selling models include the Cayenne, Macan, and 911 Coupe/Cabriolet, with the Cayenne leading production at 96,600 units in 2023. In 2023, Porsche delivered 320,221 new cars worldwide, with Europe being the most important region, followed by North America and China. The company's operating return on sales remained consistent at 18.6% in 2023. For more detailed insights, explore the Porsche statistics on ChangeStry.

Lexus

Lexus has established itself as a leading luxury car brand, achieving a record-high global sales of 824,258 units in 2023, a 32% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by strong demand in North America, Japan, and Europe, along with a significant increase in electrified vehicle sales, which accounted for 47% of total sales. Notably, Lexus saw a 229% increase in sales in Japan and a 24% increase in North America. The brand's success is also marked by its expansion of the electrified vehicle lineup, including models like the new "RX" and the battery EV exclusive model "RZ." Lexus continues to focus on developing and promoting battery electric vehicles to achieve a carbon-neutral society. For more details on Lexus's achievements and innovations, visit their official website.