Appearance, performance and fuel-economy are all important things to consider when purchasing a car, but perhaps the greatest criteria of all is how reliable it is. After all, if your ride doesn't last very long, it doesn't matter how sleek it look or how many miles you get per tank of gas. A recent study from J.D. Power and Associates revealed what consumers feel are the most dependable cars, and Toyota dominated.

The venerable Japanese automaker was the highest-rated non-premium nameplate, and its sister brand Lexus took the top honors in the luxury sector. Additionally, another Toyota offshoot – Scion – came in fifth place after a 17-spot jump compared to last year.

"We are extremely pleased that not only did we win awards in eight of the 14 model segments, but that in two segments we finished one-two and made the podium in 12 segments overall", said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Operating Officer Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

While Toyota and Lexus were the top performers, there were some American-made brands that had high marks as well. In particular, the Ford Explorer was honored for its dependability, as were two General Motors products, the Buick Lucerne and Chevrolet Equinox.

Of course, part of a vehicle's dependability is how well you take care of it. J.D. Power says that if you own any of the cars on the list and maintain it reasonably well over its lifespan, chances are you can trade it in for a high value when the time comes.

To ensure that your car lives up to its dependability rating, you should visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the center provides everything from repairs to general upkeep.

Consumer Reports released the results of its annual Car-Brand Perception Survey, and while Toyota topped the list once again, there were some surprising changes. The gap between the top four brands is shrinking and smaller companies seem to be reaping the benefits of changes in perception of larger manufacturers.

Toyota led the way in terms of brand perception but it did suffer a bit. While the company may have dropped in favorability in a few key categories, one place it did not suffer was quality. The publication found that Toyota's quality rating stayed at 19 percent – its same level as in 2011 – while competitors such as Honda dropped from 25 to 19 percent, and Ford dipped to 19 percent from 23 percent.

Another area where Toyota performed well was in its perceived friendliness to the environment. Though it dropped eight points from  2011 to 38 percent in 2012, it still placed well above other brands thanks in large part to the popularity of the hybrid Prius.

The dip in brand perception, which affected other manufacturers including Honda, Ford and Chevrolet, seems to be a result of an overall shift in attitude in the auto industry.

"Dramatic events in the automotive industry seem to be affecting how consumers view auto brands," the report states. "Erratic gasoline prices and a struggling economy have pushed consumers to prize low operating costs and good reliability."

Whether you view Toyota favorably or are more partial to Honda, New Jersey State Auto Auction has the perfect model. With a wide variety of used cars at affordable prices there, New Jersey Auto certainly has something for everyone.

A recent J.D. Power study may have found that Hyundai leads the way when it comes to brand loyalty, but by Kelley Blue Book's (KBB) estimates, that's not the case. The company found that Toyota customers were more loyal during the fourth quarter of 2011 than those of any other auto manufacturer.

The results are somewhat of a return to form for Toyota, as it marks the first time since the third quarter of 2003 that the company has found the top spot on KBB's list. Specifically, researchers found that Toyota's brand shopping loyalty was up to 50.6 percent, marking a 2.7 percent jump since the third quarter.

It was that jump toward the end of the year that caused the discrepancy between the two lists. While Hyundai dominated the first three quarters of the year, Toyota came on strong toward the end after shrugging off the effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Not only that, but its redesign of the Camry seems to have struck a chord with consumers.

"Traditional leaders like Toyota are leaving the problems in the past and looking toward bright futures, while new players such as Hyundai, Kia and Audi remain forces to be reckoned with in the American automotive industry," said Akshay Anand, market intelligence web analyst for kbb.com.

Whether you're looking to maintain your brand loyalty to Toyota, Hyundai or any other manufacturer, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. The dealer provides a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices. Additionally, every car is Carfax certified so you know you're getting a good deal.

It is already one of the most popular cars in the United States, but the Toyota Camry recently got a sterling review from Consumer Reports. The publication named the 2012 hybrid version of the car the best family sedan, according to USA Today.

The achievement may surprise some people since the latest version of the Camry was met with some criticism due to its lackluster appearance. However, the car has a number of other features that eventually won over the reviewers. In particular, it's fuel economy, interior and responsive handling all set it above other models. Even the standard, non-hybrid model impressed the magazine.

"In fact, the four-cylinder model’s 27 mpg overall ties with the Hyundai Sonata for the best fuel economy among conventional gasoline-powered family sedans," Consumer Reports said, according to Bloomberg.

The endorsement should not come as a surprise given the Carmy's history. The classic sedan has been the best selling car in the United States 13 out of the last 14 years and it is often touted among the safest cars on the road. This year, for instance, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it as one of the safest cars for 2012 along with its Japanese counterpart, the Honda Accord.

While Consumer Reports targeted the 2012 Camry, given its sales record if you get behind the wheel of a used model you will not be disappointed either. Whether you're looking for a used Camry or other similar sedan, New Jersey State Auto Auction has you covered. In addition to offering a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, all the vehicles are Carfax certified.

Toyota is planning some upgrades to its Prius and RAV4's for the next year, but consumers should be ready to pony up a little more money if they want to go new. According to USA Today, the newly-design Prius could cost consumers about $1,000 more compared to last year, which could have them rushing to New Jersey State Auto Auction to get a better deal on a used vehicle.

The popular, fuel-efficient car will welcome a few changes for 2012. First and foremost, it will feature a new name, the Prius Liftback, to differentiate it between the Prius v, a bigger version that will resemble a station wagon. The price hikes will be a little different depending on which car you're looking to buy. For instance, the so-called Prius Three will cost about $25,565, up about 4.3 percent from last year.The new Prius Liftback is expected to go on sale in January.

Although it is not going to see quite as steep a price hike, Toyota's RAV4 will also cost consumers a little bit more if they want to go new in 2012. The car goes on sale tomorrow and will see about a 0.4 percent increase in price.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a different car in the near future but don't want to spend too much money, used cars may be the better option. This is especially true toward the end of the year, as many analysts are urging consumers to take advantage of decreasing used car prices.

New Jersey State Auto Auction is an excellent choice for consumers looking for reliable used cars. The dealer offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices.