Lexus IS: owners voted it the overall winner of the Auto Express Driver Power survey (Picture © Lexus)
Top of the car satisfaction charts is the Lexus IS, according to the annual Auto Express Driver Power survey. The poll of 61,000 drivers in the UK rates 500 cars across 10 categories. These classes include reliability, running costs, practicality and in-car tech. They have been designed to build a picture of what cars are like to live with. The top five cars in 2015 all scored more highly than the winner in 2014. It suggests cars in general are becoming easier to live with.
Car satisfaction charts: Lexus at the top
Japanese executive motor the Lexus IS came out top overall and was winner of the ‘ease of driving’ category. It had a satisfaction rating of 93.96 per cent among owners. The new Lexus NX, a small SUV model, came sixth overall and was voted most reliable car while Lexus was hailed as the UK’s favourite motor manufacturer. It received eight Driver Power awards in total and topped the car satisfaction charts for build quality, ease of driving and seat comfort.
Car satisfaction charts: Home-built cars feature strongly
British-built cars scored well in the poll. The Jaguar XJ, MINI, Nissan Leaf and MG3 rounded out the top 10 in seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth places. The MINI was named the most improved manufacturer while the Jaguar XJ triumphed in the executive car category. Owners of the Land Rover Discovery rated their cars’ ride quality the best.
Car satisfaction charts: Rest of the top 10
The Hyundai i10 city car finished third, the SEAT Leon was fourth and best in the compact family car section while the electric Renault Zoe finished fifth.
Car satisfaction charts: Alternative fuels popular
Of the top 10 cars there were two pure electric and two petrol-electric hybrids. It was the first time so-called alternatively fuelled vehicles have featured so heavily in the top 10. Three quarters of the owners of the winning Lexus IS who responded to the survey owned the petrol-electric hybrid version of the car. The Renault Zoe in fifth place received a higher score than the 2014 overall winning car. Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: “Car buyers are attracted by the low running costs of hybrid and electric cars. But Driver Power 2015 shows that the whole ownership experience for these cars is pretty enjoyable, too.”
Car satisfaction charts: Skoda still winning
The Lexus success in the customer satisfaction charts ends the Skoda Yeti’s three-year reign as the UK’s favourite. However, the Yeti did finish second and won the best off-road/SUV category for the fourth year on the trot. The Skoda Superb, a former Driver Power winner, was voted the best family car. The Skoda Roomster was best MPV.
Car satisfaction charts: German cars struggling
The German car industry has been built on foundations of reliability and quality. That’s no longer the case according to car buyers. The first German car in the survey was the Audi Q3 in 14th position. The best BMW was the 4 Series in 19th place while the highest Volkswagen was the current Golf MkVII in 30th. The first Mercedes was the C-Class in a disappointing 42nd position overall.
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