Driver Power survey reveals the car brands drivers are raving about
July 11, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Driver Power’s latest survey is in, and it’s spotlighting the top 10 car brands that really stand out. If you want a reliable, hassle-free car, these are the manufacturers to keep on your radar.
The results of the annual Driver Power owner satisfaction survey are in, revealing which car manufacturers build the most reliable cars.
Conducted by our sister brand, Auto Express, the Driver Power survey asks thousands of new car buyers to share their thoughts and real-world experiences with the cars they own.
Owners rate their cars on reliability, interior space, safety features, value for money, and driving experience, building up a picture of the new car market in the UK as ranked by real car-buyers – not just road-testing journalists.
So, which car brands made the cut? Here are the top 10 car manufacturers, as voted by you.
Before we dive in, remember you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
10. Honda
Like many Japanese brands, Honda is known for making reliable, affordable cars. The Driver Power survey backs this up, with Honda ranking top five for build quality and running costs, not to mention #1 for servicing costs. The Civic’s stiff suspension and plain styling were the only downsides drivers mentioned. Overall, Honda’s doing well, even while staying low-key during the ongoing EV shift.
9. Suzuki
Just edging out its Japanese rival is Suzuki, which impressed owners most with its safety tech, landing fourth in that category. While it didn’t top the charts elsewhere, its all-round performance earned it a solid spot in the top 10.
The biggest letdown? Infotainment – especially the sat nav. But with strong scores for braking, handling, and steering, Suzuki still managed a respectable sixth overall for handling.
8. BMW
This German brand lives up to its “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline with a strong third-place finish for powertrains. But surprisingly, owners weren’t blown away by the handling, only coming in 12th there.
That said, BMW scored top 10 in safety, practicality, interior, and infotainment. Drivers also praised the iDrive system for being easy to use, with solid smartphone integration and decent sat-nav. The downsides? Pricey running costs and styling that’s still dividing opinion… And yes, those kidney grilles are still grinding some people’s gears.
7. Peugeot
This French brand is on a design high, and it shows – owners ranked it third for exterior styling. Despite sharing parts with other Stellantis brands, drivers clearly prefer Peugeot’s handling, putting it fourth overall, with especially high marks for steering. This is likely thanks to the small wheel in its i-Cockpit setup.
It also landed in the top 10 for interior quality and practicality. The only downside was a weak 25th-place score for value for money.
6. Renault
Renault is the top-ranking French brand on the list, just missing out on the top five thanks to a mix of highs and lows. Owners weren’t too impressed with the interiors, practicality, driving, or reliability.
But it bounced back with a strong second-place finish for running costs and third for its Google-based infotainment. Add solid top-10 scores for safety, styling, and value, and Renault secures a well-earned spot in the overall top 10, despite a few bumps along the way.
5. Land Rover
Land Rover has made a big leap this year, impressively climbing five spots to break into the top five. Known for loyal customers and all-SUV lineup, it shined in practicality, landing second place.
Plush interiors earned it third for cabin quality, while its bold 4×4 looks helped secure fourth for exterior design. But some things haven’t changed as poor scores for fuel economy, reliability, and value (30th, 24th, and 28th) still hold it back.
4. Vauxhall
This British brand impressed in the Driver Power brand rankings after its Vauxhall Grandland Mk8 took second place in the survey’s best models list. With a lineup of fuel-efficient hybrids and electric cats, it grabbed first place for economy and running costs.
Its weakest spot was interior quality: owners weren’t too impressed with the finish or front-seat comfort, despite the spinal expert approval. It also missed the top 10 for safety and value, but with strong scores elsewhere, Vauxhall has plenty to smile about.
3. Lexus
Landing in third place is long-time Driver Power favourite Lexus, Toyota’s premium brand. It outperformed its mainstream sibling (Toyota came 14th), with top-five scores for value, infotainment, interior, and, most notably, quality and reliability, where it ranked third thanks to its solid build.
As a luxury brand, it’s no surprise Lexus didn’t crack the top 10 for running costs, but its 13th-place finish for ride and handling might raise a few eyebrows. Still, a strong showing from Japan’s finest.
2. Mercedes
Mercedes took runner-up in the Driver Power brand rankings and topped the model survey with the Mercedes GLE Mk4. Premium buyers expect a lot, and Mercedes delivers, making the podium in nine of 10 categories.
Owners love its top-notch safety systems and intuitive MBUX infotainment. Strong second-place finishes for exterior and interior design show why Mercedes is truly a luxury brand. The only drawback? High running costs, poor fuel economy, and pricey servicing. Overall, though, it’s a solid showing.
1. Subaru
Subaru stood firmly on the top podium for the second year running, dominating nearly every category in our Driver Power brands list. It claimed first place in seven out of 10 areas, especially shining in ride and handling, as well as quality and reliability, likely thanks to its rally heritage.
Like Mercedes, its only weak spot was running costs, ranking 18th. That’s no surprise given Subaru’s boxer engines aren’t known for fuel efficiency, even with hybrid and electric options. Still, with just one category outside the top 10, Subaru clearly earns this year’s crown.
What other surprises were there?
Tesla, Elon Musk’s prized electric car brand, slipped out of the top 10 this year, ranking 11th – down from 2nd place last year with an impressive driver satisfaction score of 90.55%. This could be influenced by recent challenges Tesla has faced, including controversies around Elon Musk and a sales decline for the second year running.
At the bottom of the rankings is MG, a British brand owned by a Chinese company. Rounding out the bottom five are Volkswagen, Cupra, Dacia, and Chinese EV brand BYD. It’s the second year in a row Volkswagen’s been near the back, which is surprising for one of the biggest car makers out there.
The full Driver power best car manufacturer ranking 1 to 31
| Ranking | Car manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 1 | Subaru |
| 2 | Mercedes |
| 3 | Lexus |
| 4 | Vauxhall |
| 5 | Land Rover |
| 6 | Renault |
| 7 | Peugeot |
| 8 | BMW |
| 9 | Suzuki |
| 10 | Honda |
| 11 | Tesla |
| 12 | Skoda |
| 13 | Volvo |
| 14 | Toyota |
| 15 | Nissan |
| 16 | Citroen |
| 17 | Mazda |
| 18 | Kia |
| 19 | Audi |
| 20 | Hyundai |
| 21 | Fiat |
| 22 | Mini |
| 23 | Ford |
| 24 | SEAT |
| 25 | Jaguar |
| 26 | Jeep |
| 27 | Volkswagen |
| 28 | Cupra |
| 29 | Dacia |
| 30 | BYD |
| 31 | MG |
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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