The Best Cars To Own In The UK According To Driver Power 2023

As a car owner, you probably already have your favourites when it comes to manufacturers or models, whether it’s the car you already own or your dream vehicle. However each year, the Driver Power New Car Survey releases some of the UK’s most highly regarded vehicles on the market today, offering insight into the opinion of thousands of participants. Based on their feedback and input, the survey releases the 75 most satisfying-to-own cars each year and here, we have the 2023 top 10 lineup!

10. Kia Ceed

The Kia Ceed is a much-loved vehicle and for good reason. The 2018-present years all offer a unique and impressive driving experience bringing it to an overall 10th place position. It’s the first of three Kia models that made it into the top three, showcasing just how powerful and popular this manufacturer is getting here in the UK. Of the 10 categories each car is scored on, the Kia Ceed ranked as follows:

Overall: 10 (91.29%)
Engine and Gearbox: 53 (88.14%)
Exterior: 3 (96.06%)
Interior: 18 (91.55%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 17 (91.36%)
Ride & Handling: 21 (93.43%)
Safety Features: 30 (91.09%
MPG & Running Costs: 18 (87.12%)
Reliability: 13 (95.03%)
Infotainment: 28 (90%)
Value: 4 (93.39%)

9. Mazda CX-5

While it’s taken a drop from it’s 2nd place position in last year’s survey, this year, the Mazda CX-5 has still maintained a top-10 position, and rightfully so! This good-looking car scored highly in exterior, as well as 7th place for both reliability and value, showcasing just how good of a choice this vehicle really is. While it does fall short in the Ride and Handling and in Engine and Gearbox, most of these issues seem to revolve around noise and a wish for slightly better overall performance.

Overall: 9 (91.36%)
Engine and Gearbox: 42 (89.57%)
Exterior: 5 (96%)
Interior: 12 (92.17%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 31 (89.64%)
Ride & Handling: 46 (91.62%)
Safety Features: 23 (91.58%)
MPG & Running Costs: 24 (86.06%)
Reliability: 7 (95.88%)
Infotainment: 12 (91.73%)
Value: 7 (92.52%)

8. Toyota Prius

While not the most practical of cars, the Toyota Prius scores high in some key areas, even reaching a whopping 2nd position for reliability. For a car that you can rely on, that has an engine and gearbox that sits happily in the top 10, and with good safety features, ride and handling, and manageable running costs, this is a no-brainer.

Overall: 8 (91.45%)
Engine and Gearbox: 7 (95.45%)
Exterior: 34 (92.90%)
Interior: 37 (90.12%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 67 (85.05%)
Ride & Handling: 9 (94.59%)
Safety Features: 7 (92.98%)
MPG & Running Costs: 10 (89.50%)
Reliability: 2 (96.53%)
Infotainment: 23 (90.56%)
Value: 17 (90.54%)

7. Kia EV6

This brand new car has skyrocketed to the top 10, and it’s easy to see why. With a powerful powertrain, high practicality and an impressive engine and gearbox ranking, this EV is a must-have for those looking to make the switch. It scores highly in engine and gearbox quality, interior design, practicality and bootspace and still a respectable 14th position in ride and handling, and in running costs. Reliability, value and infotainment, however, are where this vehicle falls short.

Overall: 7 (91.50%)
Engine & Gearbox: 6 (95.47%)
Exterior: 18 (94.29%)
Interior: 10 (92.35%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 8 (93.68%)
Ride & Handling: 14 (94.00%)
Safety Features: 25 (91.43%)
MPG & Running Costs: 14 (87.78%)
Reliability: 47 (91.75%)
Infotainment: 59 (87.10%)
Value: 50 (86.38%)

6. Ford Ecosport

While it might not be as new or as flashy as some of the other entrants on this list, the Ford EcoSport is more than holding it’s own. Climbing a solid 20 places since the previous survey, the EcoSport scores decently in a wide number of categories, including interior, reliability, value and an impressive position 5 for Infotainment. It does fall short in the practicality and bootspace area, however this doesnt take away from the overall shine of the car.

Overall: 6 (91.52%)
Engine & Gearbox: 17 (91.54%)
Exterior: 24 (93.61%)
Interior: 13 (92.16%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 55 (86.72%)
Ride & Handling: 17 (93.89%)
Safety Features: 22 (91.66%)
MPG & Running Costs: 26 (85.94%)
Reliability: 14 (95.00%)
Infotainment: 5 (92.86%)
Value: 11 (91.50%)

5. Subaru Outback

Subaru vehicles can be hit and miss in the overall public opinion, with some surveys not featuring any contenders at all and others scoring them highly. The Subaru Outback, however, has claimed an impressive 5th position overall, and with some high scoring categories too. A 1st place position for interior showcases just how comfortable this vehicle is inside, and practicality and bootspace follow up with a 2nd place win. Reliability and Value also sit at 5th and 6th respectively, showcasing just how great of an all-rounder this vehicle is.

Overall: 5 (91.73%)
Engine & Gearbox: 48 (88.47%)
Exterior: 10 (95.11%)
Interior: 1 (95.28%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 2 (95.06%)
Ride & Handling: 4 (95.85%)
Safety Features: 39 (90.42%)
MPG & Running Costs: 40 (83.88%)
Reliability: 5 (96.01%)
Infotainment: 57 (87.35%)
Value: 6 (92.55%)

4. Dacia Duster

Affordability has always been a key selling point for the Dacia Duster, but it is certainly holding its own in other areas too, coming out an impressive 4th position overall. While it does call short in the interior and safety categories, the 7th position for MPG and running costs, as well as a 2nd place for infotainment and 11th for Value make this an SUV worth considering for those on a tighter budget.

Overall: 4 (91.75%)
Engine & Gearbox: 19 (91.42%)
Exterior: 31 (92.97%)
Interior: 53 (88.71%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 22 (91.03%)
Ride & Handling: 30 (93.01%)
Safety Features: 55 (89.15%)
MPG & Running Costs: 7 (90.92%)
Reliability: 21 (94.15%)
Infotainment: 2 (92.95%)
Value: 11 (91.50%)

3. Lexus RX

Third place is awarded to the Lexus RX, a mid to large SUV that beat out the competition for practicality and bootspace, and almost got top spot for interior design too! This vehicle falls into some other impressive spots, including 6th for Exterior design, 6th for ride and handling and 9th for reliability. It does fall short in running costs and value, however the driveability and safety features more than make up for it.

Overall: 3 (92.15%)
Engine & Gearbox: 13 (92.67%)
Exterior: 6 (95.84%)
Interior: 2 (95.22%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 1 (95.15%)
Ride & Handling: 6 (95.38%)
Safety Features: 14 (92.18%)
MPG & Running Costs: 58 (80.94%)
Reliability: 9 (95.32%)
Infotainment: 35 (89.15%)
Value: 40 (87.77%)

2. Kia Sorento

The third Kia on the list, and the highest ranking of the trio, the Kia Sorento is an impressive vehicle that not only just fell short of first place, but actually did get first place in not just one, but two categories. With owners loving the exterior and the infotainment enough to earn this vehicle the top spot, it also has an impressive 3rd place position for Interior design and safety features, as well as 4th for practicality and bootspace.

Overall: 2 (92.44%)
Engine & Gearbox: 47 (88.55%)
Exterior: 1 (97.20%)
Interior: 3 (94.17%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 4 (94.86%)
Ride & Handling: 13 (94.09%)
Safety Features: 3 (94.35%)
MPG & Running Costs: 59 (80.52%)
Reliability: 16 (94.85%)
Infotainment: 1 (93.08%)
Value: 30 (88.80%)

1. Citroen C4

Last but certainly not least, our winner! The Citroen C4 is the UK’s favourite this year, and we can see why. Considered the most satisfying car to own, the Citroen C4 might not have earned top spot in any categories, but its overall rankings were high enough to earn it the top position, including a 3rd place win in ride and handling, 4th in Running Costs and in Reliability, and a 5th position in Safety Features. In fact, all but 4 of the categories were top 10 positions!

Overall: 1 (93.39%)
Engine & Gearbox: 8 (95.16%)
Exterior: 9 (95.13%)
Interior: 14 (91.92%)
Practicality & Bootspace: 11 (92.68%)
Ride & Handling: 3 (95.93%)
Safety Features: 5 (93.97%)
MPG & Running Costs: 4 (92.78%)
Reliability: 4 (96.11%)
Infotainment: 16 (91.26%)
Value: 11 (91.50%)

For more information about any of these vehicles or for help with your existing car, we are on hand to help. From repairs and diagnostics, to regular servicing and maintenance, our teams are on hand to help. Simply get in touch with a member of our team, today.

Service4Service Blog