Top New Cars Drivers Love - Is Your Brand Included?

Top Car Brands According to Driver Power Survey

Each year, Auto Express conducts its annual Driver Power new car customer satisfaction survey to determine which car brands are most favored by drivers. This comprehensive evaluation considers data from owners across each manufacturer's entire line-up, offering a detailed view of overall satisfaction levels for each brand.

The Driver Power scoring list is divided into 10 categories, with each brand receiving a final percentage score out of 100. The top 10 brands all achieved over 85 percent, showcasing strong performance across various aspects of vehicle ownership. With 31 different marques making the final list, there is stiff competition and some unexpected results.

Here is the top ten in reverse order, along with expert insights from Auto Express's consumer editor, Tom Jervis.

10. Honda – 85.77 per cent

Tom Jervis noted that Honda, like other Japanese manufacturers, has a strong reputation for building high-quality, reliable cars that are cost-effective to run. Honda ranked in the top five for build quality and running costs, with servicing costs being particularly favorable. However, exterior styling and ride comfort were areas where it fell short, especially with the Civic's suspension being somewhat uncomfortable. Despite this, Honda's performance remains impressive, especially considering its relatively low profile during the EV transition.

9. Suzuki – 85.79 per cent

Suzuki narrowly beat its Japanese rival, with owners particularly impressed by its safety systems. It came in fourth in this crucial category. While it didn't have any standout performances in other areas, Auto Express described it as a "jack-of-all-trades." The worst performance was in the infotainment category, where its built-in sat-nav dragged down its rankings. Jervis highlighted strong showings in braking, road manners, and steering, resulting in a respectable sixth-place overall for ride and handling.

8. BMW – 86.00 per cent

BMW placed third in the powertrain category, a result that is not surprising given its reputation for building "Ultimate Driving Machines." However, its poor handling led to a 12th-place finish in that category, placing it in the midfield. Jervis praised BMW's top-10 finishes in safety, practicality, interior, and infotainment. The iDrive system was well-received for its user-friendly interface, smartphone connectivity, and decent built-in sat-nav. However, the brand's lackluster exterior styling and high running costs prevented it from reaching the top of the list.

7. Peugeot – 86.12 per cent

Peugeot proved that you don’t need to be an expensive brand to have mass appeal, securing seventh place. Jervis noted that the French firm is on a roll, especially in design, earning third place in the exterior category. Peugeot performed well in handling set-ups and steering, thanks to its i-Cockpit cabin layout. Its interior design also received positive feedback. Unfortunately, its 25th-place ranking for value for money was a major drawback.

6. Renault – 86.29 per cent

Renault, another French brand, finished just under halfway. It had a stellar time recently, but its wide-ranging scores meant it missed the top five. Owners were not thrilled with the interiors, practicality, ride, or reliability of their models. However, Renault clinched second place for running costs and third place for its Google-powered infotainment systems. Jervis said that despite its inconsistencies, Renault earned its place in the top 10 due to its strong performance in safety, exterior, and value.

5. Land Rover – 86.52 per cent

Land Rover made significant strides, moving from the top 10 last year to the top five this year. Jervis called it an "impressive moment." Land Rover customers voted it second best for practicality and third for interiors, with some of the most luxurious options available. Its looks helped it secure fourth place for exterior. However, fuel economy, reliability, and value remained its weakest areas, with low rankings in those categories.

4. Vauxhall – 86.80 per cent

Vauxhall excelled in the Driver Power model survey, doing equally well in the brand survey. Jervis pointed to Vauxhall’s line-up full of fuel-sipping hybrids and zero-emissions EVs, which placed it first for economy and running costs. However, drivers found the interior fit and finish lacking, leading to low interior scores. Vauxhall also scored outside the top 10 for safety features and value for money, but its strong ratings elsewhere helped it maintain a good position.

3. Lexus – 87.06 per cent

Lexus, Toyota's premium brand, finished 11 places ahead of its cheaper sister brand. Owners were happy in almost every category, with top-five finishes in value, infotainment, interior, and quality and reliability. Reliability was its strongest area, finishing third due to the well-built nature of its vehicles. Jervis noted that while Lexus did not perform well in running costs, its overall performance was impressive.

2. Mercedes – 89.26 per cent

Mercedes secured the runner-up position, delivering strong performance in nine out of 10 categories. Owners praised its safety systems and infotainment, with the MBUX system being both intuitive and sleek. It also took second place for exterior and interiors, showcasing its commitment to luxury. The only drawbacks were poor fuel economy and expensive servicing.

1. Subaru – 90.30 per cent

Subaru topped the Driver Power brand list for the second year in a row. Jervis attributed this to its stellar performance in nearly every category, with seven out of 10 categories ranked first. Strong scores in ride and handling, quality, and reliability were likely due to its rally heritage. The only downside was its high running costs, with the brand taking 18th place mainly because of its lack of hybrid or electric models. Despite this, Subaru was a worthy winner.

Best Manufacturers 2025

1. Tesla
2. Skoda
3. Volvo
4. Toyota
5. Nissan
6. Citroen
7. Mazda
8. Kia
9. Audi
10. Hyundai
11. Fiat
12. Mini
13. Ford
14. Seat
15. Jaguar
16. Jeep
17. Volkswagen
18. Cupra
19. Dacia
20. BYD
21. MG