Last December, U.S. News released its annual rankings of the best SUVs of the year. While many consumers may primarily think of the rankings as a useful tool in helping them narrow down their vehicle purchases, the benefits of the rankings spread far beyond just decision-making.

For manufacturers, U.S. News' rankings provide an invaluable source of data-backed market research. By analyzing how their vehicles fare in comparison to other leading models, manufacturers and designers glean valuable insights into what consumer preferences are and the features that are accepted and welcomed in the current auto market. This information can then be applied to tweak existing models or help create new vehicle designs.

The rankings also allow manufacturers to better understand the competition. Analyzing how other manufacturers fare in the rankings can help reveal the strengths and weaknesses of competing vehicles, allowing for better competitive messaging and positioning when driving consumer demand.

For vehicle economists, the rankings shed light on the growth of the current SUV market and the factors that are driving it. By looking at how vehicles of various sizes, styles, and price points fare in the rankings, economists are able to gain better insight into the overall health of the SUV market, how consumer preferences are shifting over time,