Honda, Porsche dominate 2013 Kelley Blue Book Image Awards

Honda and Porsche dominated the 2013 Kelley Blue Book image awards, but Ford, Chrysler and Buick also earned top honors.

The awards represent consumer views during a year’s worth of visits to the Kelley Blue Book website, Chintain Talati, senior director of public relations for Kelley Blue Book, said in an interview.

Talati added that the results represent the opinions of about 12,000 “in-market car shoppers who were visiting the website for research.�

The awards cover luxury, non-luxury and truck brands.

Honda took three of the six categories for non-luxury brands. The Japanese automaker earned the highest ranking for best value, most trusted and best overall brand.

“Honda’s win as best overall brand among non-luxury shoppers hardly comes as a surprise,� said Kelley Blue Book’s report on the results. “We admire the refined and reliable vehicles, but also the manner in which Honda promotes itself. You do too, apparently.�

In other non-luxury categories, Chrysler finished first for most refined and Ford won for best styling. Mini took the top spot for best performance among non-luxury brands.

Among luxury brands, Porsche was the only company with more than one first-place finish. The German automaker won for best performance and best styling.

“Even when Porsche’s entry isn’t the fastest car in the class, it’s always the winner in driving feel. And feel equals fun, which is the purest point of performance,� said Kelley Blue Book’s report.

Other luxury-brand winners were: Buick, for best value; Mercedes-Benz, for most refined; and Lexus, for most trusted.

BMW took the top spot for best overall luxury brand.

There was one award in the truck category, and Toyota won for best overall truck brand.

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