Brand names carry a lot of weight in the auto industry. People may be loyal to a certain automaker or have thoughts about models thanks to peer reviews, headline news and past experiences with a manufacturer. The bottom line is there are many factors that influence the overall image of a brand, and it's important to understand how the public views some of the major names throughout the world of used cars. 

Kelley Blue Book recently released the results of its annual Brand Image Awards, which focus on how drivers view automakers. Evaluations were based on 12 factors covering all aspects of car ownership, including reliability, driving performance, fuel efficiency, overall styling, reputation, prestige and more. The final results reveal a few interesting impressions from around the auto industry. 

Honda takes the top spot – again
For the third year in a row, Honda grabbed the No. 1 spot in the Kelley Blue Book survey. That earned it the title of Best Overall Brand for the fourth time in the history of the award. Motorists had high opinions of models such as the Accord, Civic and CR-V. These vehicles also helped Honda earn the title of Best Value Brand. Kia may have won this award last year, but Honda came back to regain the crown thanks the quality of its offerings, overall performance and relatively low prices. 

"These awards from KBB.com demonstrate that customers continue to recognize the tremendous quality and value of our products, which are at the heart of the incredible competitive strength of the Honda brand," said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We take this recognition from our customers as a mandate to continue building the highest quality, longest lasting vehicles on the road."

Many options for curious drivers
Of course, Honda vehicles aren't the only top-notch choices for drivers. Kelley Blue Book also recognized Subaru as the Best Performance Brand and Most Trusted Brand among non-luxury automakers. Additionally, GMC was rated as the Most Refined Brand, while Mazda took the crown for Best Car Styling. Interested in pickups instead? Ford was the big winner in this segment, taking the title of Best Overall Truck Brand. 

Prospective buyers who head to NJ State Auto Auction can have their pick from a number of top brands. With a wide selection of hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars to choose from, drivers will be able to find a high-quality vehicle at an affordable price. You don't have to sacrifice performance when on a budget. Reach out to one of the experts at NJ State Auto's financing department. These professionals can help you sort through your options, securing credit approval and finalizing manageable loans that may be needed to get you behind the wheel of the car you want.