It depends on what you need. The last thing I had to replace was a 15-year old Whirlpool washer. Checked reviews online, though Maytag or Whirlpool again for a top-loader. Nope. LG, very surprisingly, had some of the best reviews for a simple top-loader clothes washer. Their refrigerators are universally panned, but strangely enough their washers are actually pretty good.
DIshwashers, Bosch gets good reviews for quietness and cleaning, but gets hammered on reliability. Did some reading and ended up with a Kitchenaid, which wouldn't have been in my top 5 at all going in.
It's a lot more messy than it was 20 or even 10 years ago, especially with a lot of the "domestic" manufacturers like Maytag and Whirlpool having different model lines.