THE GERMAN LUXURY AUTOMAKER THAT TOPS CONSUMER REPORTS' RANKINGS IN 2024

In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, there is one name that consistently rises to the top: BMW. Since their inception, they have continued to push the bounds of engineering, both in the realms of luxury aviation in the early days, motorcycles, vehicles and performance vehicles. Their status as an icon in the motoring world is not something that anyone can really contest.

As the world shifts towards electrification, there have been many manufacturers who have stumbled and struggled to adjust to the demands of the consumer, particularly in the luxury segment. However, the Bavarian automaker's focus on a blend between fine craftsmanship and performance has afforded it a mass of satisfied customers. Their commitment to developing cars of the future has been incredibly successful.

To confirm BMW’s incredible success in the modern market, Consumer Reports has crowned it the number one brand for 2024. Through analyzing a number of different metrics and rigorous testing, Consumer Reports has concluded that the best new car you can get behind the wheel of in 2024 is a BMW.

BMW Beat Out Top Brands Like Lexus And Porsche

Consumer Reports is one of the most respected authorities in the automotive world when it comes to car ratings. They have designed their ranking system around what they believe is most important to the consumer and they use these metrics to suggest which cars are best.

Each year Consumer Reports puts out a list of car brands and ranks them based on an overall score out of 100. In this year’s list, BMW managed to beat out some tough competition.

Top Five

(Source: Consumer Reports)

It might be surprising for some to see BMW above some of the most impactful brands on the market today. Not only have they beat out brands known for their reliability, such as Honda and Lexus, but they’ve also managed to top performance brands like Porsche. Consumer Reports is claiming with their list that BMW is not only a more consistently reliable brand than most but that they are also more enjoyable to own than some leading performance brands.

They aren’t the only surprising name on the list. Subaru managing to break the top five is something that would have surely been a surprise to a ton of people. There isn’t anything wrong with Subaru’s current lineup, but they just seem to consistently get beaten by their rivals in terms of value. This may signify that Subaru is being severely overlooked.

How Consumer Reports Ranks Brands

Consumer Reports has four main factors in the scoring of individual vehicles and brands as a whole. These factors are

• Predicted reliability
• Owner satisfaction
• Safety
• Green choices

BMW scored well in all of these metrics, proving to be more dependable and more enjoyable than the rest of the field.

BMW Scored Particularly Well In Owner Satisfaction

This isn’t the first indicator of BMW's dominance in the automotive world off late. Their rise to the top has been steady and precise and there have been a ton of indicators of their gradual improvement in areas where they used to be weak. The German brand’s meticulous approach to perfecting their cars has been one of the keys to their improvement and why so many people are eager to get behind the wheel of a Beemer in 2024.

Predicted Reliability

BMW has made a consistent effort to improve its reliability over the last couple of years. While their older models, particularly those in the golden era of diesel powertrains, were considered to be particularly reliable, it has been a battle for the German brand to build up trust in consumers in recent times.

Consumer Reports lists BMW as the ninth most reliable brand that they have tested, with Lexus and Toyota unsurprisingly sitting in the number one and two spots. BMW earned a total predicted reliability score of 64 out of 100. This means that their scores in the other categories would have had to be exceptional for them to reach the number one position.

Twelve Models Tested, Twelve Recommended

The road test score of the 12 BMW vehicles that Consumer Reports tested averaged out at an astounding 88 out of 100. This score is based on factors like how comfortable the cabin is, the perceived value of the interior features, the on-road performance of the car, and fuel economy. For BMW to get an average score of 88 over 12 vehicles is an impressive feat and shows the high quality of their current fleet.

The BMW X5 Earned The Top Spot In The Luxury SUV Category

As well as being the top brand overall, BMW also managed to produce the best luxury SUV on the market in 2024 according to Consumer Reports. The already dominant BMW X5 was refreshed for 2024 and hit the market with a brand-new look. Clearly, its high-quality materials and its impressive trio of powertrains impressed the Consumer Reports team.

X5 And X5 PHEV Performance

(Source: BMW, CarBuzz)

A significant aspect contributing to the allure of BMW's vehicles lies in their remarkable powertrains, which consistently deliver unparalleled performance. In the case of the X5, the range of powertrain options further enhances its appeal, offering a trio of choices including a hybrid, a potent V-8, and a cutting-edge PHEV variant.

Each of these options not only provides an impressive balance between efficiency and performance but also underscores BMW's dedication to advancing the electrification of the automotive industry. By offering such diverse and advanced powertrain options, BMW showcases its commitment to meeting the evolving needs and expectations of drivers while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of innovation in the automotive sector.

X5 And X5 PHEV Scores

(Source: Consumer Reports)

The X5 proved to be exceptional across all the crucial categories in Consumer Reports’ evaluations. While Consumer Reports has consistently warned of reliability issues in any electric vehicle, and this stands true for the X5 PHEV, its stellar road test score compensates admirably. This SUV epitomizes the essence of contemporary BMW, boasting premium materials, an abundance of state-of-the-art technology, and an invigorating sporty flair that captivates enthusiasts.

This SUV represents the epitome of what modern-day BMW stands for a harmonious blend of sophistication, innovation, and driving pleasure. Its meticulously crafted interior is adorned with premium materials, creating an ambiance of refined luxury. Boasting an array of cutting-edge technologies, the X5 ensures a seamless and intuitive driving experience. Furthermore, its dynamic performance and unmistakable sporty design elements evoke a sense of excitement and exhilaration for drivers and passengers alike.

This Win Could Signify A Long-Lasting Era Of BMW Dominance

The German automaker has more than proven its chops, being the best brand according to consumer reports and also being the only luxury manufacturer to feature on their list of the ten best cars of 2024. This isn’t their first win though and it's very unlikely to be their last.

A Second Year At The Top

This isn't the first time that BMW has reached the top position on Consumer Reports' list. Last year, the brand also managed to acquire the top spot. They had climbed two places to reach the number one position, meaning they were also in the top five in 2022, and this wasn't a surprise according to the Senior Director of Automotive Testing at Consumer Reports, Jake Fisher. He stated that "BMW builds many high-performing, full-featured, and reliable models, so it’s not surprising to see it at the top of our brand rankings."

BMW's consistent ability to impress in every area that matters to you, the consumer, has made them an excellent choice over the years and their future is looking bright.

2024-03-08T01:26:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd