Looks like Ford slipped past Honda. Check it out. But Toyota still remains number 1

Chevrolet, Ford, and Subaru jump in brand perception- Yahoo! Autos Article Page

 

Having been a Subaru owner, I really don't understand the jump. They're great cars, durable, with sensible engineering, and extremely easy for a home mechanic to work on, but with the frameless windows, they're noisy, and AWD + boxer engine layout means mediocre fuel economy.

 

Subie has gone away from frameless windows. But you're right, they're still not fuel sippers. Even so, Subaru was the only make to see an increase in sales in the US last year. That's a pretty incredible statistic all by itself.

My own perception of Ford is greatly enhanced by something that has nothing to do with their cars; the fact that they did not need, or take, any government bailout money.