In all actuality most automotive batteries are about the same. The largest manufacturer of lead acid batteries is Johnson controls Inc. My wife works them, the battery division no less. They have three battery groups, OEM, Aftermarket and hybrid technologies.
Here is the list of brands that Johnson Controls Manufactures:
Interstate
Diehard
Duralast
Kirkland
EverStartt
ProStart
Optima
AutoCraft
AdvanceAuto batteries
Blains farm and fleet
Western Auto
Varta
Bosch
Champion
LTH
LTD
OEM Supplier to these Car Companies as well:
Ford Motor company, Diamler Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu
So if you look at two popular batteries, Interstate Mega-tron plus Group 35 and the everstart Maxx group 35 they have the exact same specs, 640 cold cranking amps. They are the exact same battery on the inside, trust me, I've been to the plants and have seen them being made. The difference is one goes into a black box and the other goes inside a white box. The difference is the warranties. Everstart maxx has a 3 year free replacement and then 2 years prorated after that for a total of 5 years. Interstate has a 6 year total warranty with the first 2.5 years being a full replacement, 45% off msrp for the next 1.5 years, 25% off in year five and 10% off new battery for year 6.
Bottom, line get what ever battery you want that is in your market and at the price you want.