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Brazilians Reveal Their Favorite Car Brands: Research Shows That Trust and Maintenance Weigh More Than Design When Choosing Their Next Vehicle.
You know that old dilemma that comes up when we think about changing cars? Well, it’s not just you who is torn between betting on a traditional brand or giving a chance to newer ones, like the Chinese brands that are coming on strong. The Webmotors platform decided to investigate this story and asked nearly 2,500 Brazilians which car brand they feel conveys the most trust in 2025. And guess what? Brazilians still prefer what they have known for a long time.
Chevrolet Leads the Heart (and Garage) of Brazilians
In the survey, Chevrolet came out on top as the public’s favorite brand, appearing in 12% of the responses. Next are Volkswagen (11%), Toyota (11%), Honda (10%), and Fiat (9%). They are all brands with a long history in Brazil — and it seems that this still carries considerable weight when making a choice.
And it’s not just because of tradition. Those who chose Chevrolet as their favorite mainly highlighted trust in the brand (32%), closely followed by ease of maintenance (26%) and comfort (12%). Volkswagen follows the same trend: trust leads with 37%, while maintenance and design also factor in the mix.
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Now, the highlight goes to Toyota and Honda. More than half of the respondents who mentioned these brands cited trust as the main reason — 57% for Toyota and 56% for Honda. That’s a lot of people saying, “I trust this brand with my eyes closed.”
In the case of Fiat, the focus shifts slightly. The most valued point was maintenance (33%), which makes sense since the brand is known for its popular models and more affordable parts. Next come trust (14%) and performance (12%).
Check out the criteria that Brazilians value most in each brand:
| Brand | Most Valued Criteria |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet | trust (32%), maintenance (26%), comfort (12%) |
| Volkswagen | trust (37%), maintenance (19%), design (10%) |
| Toyota | trust (57%), autonomy (10%), technology (9%) |
| Honda | trust (56%), safety (10%), maintenance (10%) |
| Fiat | maintenance (33%), trust (14%), performance (12%) |
SUVs Remain the Favorites — and the Flex Engine Reigns Supreme
In addition to brands, the Webmotors study also asked about preferred body types and engines. And here, no surprise: SUVs remain sovereign in Brazilian tastes, with 38% of preferences. In second place are sedans (26%), followed by hatches (20%), pickups (10%), and the almost extinct wagons (2%).
Regarding engines, the flex engine is the absolute king, with 65% preference. This is because it offers freedom when refueling — you choose between gasoline or ethanol, depending on what is cheaper. And, let’s face it, with fuel prices as they are, this flexibility makes all the difference.
Next come gasoline engines (17%), diesel (8%), hybrids (8%), and electric (2%). According to Webmotors marketing director, Natalia Spigai, the reason for the dominance of flex engines goes beyond habit: “In addition to the larger volume of offers, there’s a strong economic factor. Hybrids are growing, but electrics still suffer from the lack of infrastructure in the country,” she explains.
This observation makes sense: even though Brazil is slowly progressing with charging stations, it is still far from being a country 100% ready for electric cars. Hybrids appear as an intermediate solution that is starting to gain traction among the more environmentally conscious consumers.
Why Do Brazilians Remain Loyal to Old Brands?
Even with the growth of Chinese automakers and the arrival of more technological and cheaper models in the market, Brazilians still prefer to stick with what has proven to work. Trust is not built overnight — and traditional brands have already understood this.
Another point that weighs heavily when making a choice is the availability of parts and technical assistance. Brands like Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Fiat, and Honda have dealership networks spread throughout the country, making any repairs or maintenance easier, even far from large urban centers.
Additionally, these brands carry a historical emotional connection with consumers. Who hasn’t had a Corsa, a Gol, or a Uno in the family? These models are part of many people’s emotional memories and continue to influence purchasing decisions today.
And What About the New Brands?
Despite the preference for traditional brands, it is impossible to ignore the rise of Chinese automakers, such as BYD, Great Wall, and Chery. They have been investing heavily in Brazil, especially in the electric and hybrid car segment, and are expected to gain more space in the coming years.
But for now, the heart of Brazilians still beats stronger for the familiar. And, as the Webmotors study showed, trust remains one of the most valuable assets when deciding which car to take home.
São marcas tradicionais e confiáveis do público brasileiro. Já tive carros de algumas marcas, mas na minha opinião a Volkswagen é a melhor pela qualidade dos seus carros e resistência, uma marca confiável e inovadora.