Image is everything. The way the general public views a certain auto brand or style of car can influence the decision to purchase the vehicle or the review they give to others. Consumer Reports recently conducted a study to see what perceptions of certain auto brands were like, and the results showed that a few stalwarts continue to dominate the driver mindset. 

According to the study, consumers view Toyota as the top brand overall – at least with regard to quality, safety, performance, value, fuel economy, design and technology. The brand has a 25-point lead over Ford, which sits in second place. Honda and Chevrolet were also ranked highly based on the public's overall positive perception of them. 

"The key word is 'perception.' Consumers are influenced by word of mouth, marketing and hands-on experience," said Jeff Bartlett, deputy automotive editor of Consumer Reports. "Often, perception can be a trailing indicator, reflecting years of good or bad performance in a category, and it can also be influenced by headlines in the media." 

A few other brands managed to make great strides in the rankings. Tesla jumped up 47 points, thanks in large part to the success of the Model S, while Subaru also posted strong improvements. Safety was key for both of these automakers, as drivers recognized them as offering top-notch features, which bumped up the scores. 

One of these brands could prove to be the rest investment for you. If you're considering an investment in a used car, browse through the selection at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to many Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that can fit any budget.