Your top car makers
IF you picked up a copy of Auto Express a couple of weeks ago, you would have seen our rundown of the top 75 new cars to own in the Driver Power New Car Survey 2022 (Issue 1,733). The incredibly comprehensive data behind that survey doesn’t just give us insight into the UK’s favourite car models, though. We can also see which brands you favour the most.
As such, we’ve put together the Driver Power Brands Survey 2022, detailing the top 29 car makes as voted by you. These brands have been judged on the same categories their cars were two weeks ago. What’s more, some manufacturers whose cars didn’t sell in large enough numbers to qualify for individual model entries in the New Car Survey do make it into the Brands Survey, shaking up the competition a bit.
We recognise that car buyers often shop across sectors, so if you’re in the market for a new model and want to focus on one or two showrooms, this survey should help you choose which names to consider. Read on for the full list of the top 29 car brands and to see which maker tops them all.
UK’s No.1 car satisfaction survey results
29. Fiat 83.77%
A DISAPPOINTING result for Fiat, sliding from 26th in 2021 down to 29th this year. Owners of cars built by the Italian firm rank them lowest for practicality and boot space – perhaps due to the tiny proportions of the 500 – and for safety features.
Owners report that their Fiats are short on rear-seat legroom, and they’re not keen on the powertrains, either, telling us that the brand’s cars are underpowered and make an unpleasant noise. Infotainment gets a poor score as well, with owners unimpressed by the touchscreens, stereo plus the heating and air-con.
One of only two areas where Fiat’s cars earn a score that’s average rather than towards the bottom of the pack is value for money, which indicates owners are at least fairly satisfied with the amount they paid for their cars – and what they got for it. The other is the exterior category, with owners content that their cars look the part and have good fit and finish on the outside.
AVERAGE SHARE OF OWNERS WITH FAULTS
28. MG 84.16%
FINISHING second-to-last in the Brands Survey isn’t ideal, but at least MG has seen an improvement in its percentage score this year and has moved up one place accordingly.
Still, it’s not an inspiring set of scores for the Chinese-owned firm. It earns the lowest ranking of any maker for infotainment, with owners saying its controls are unintuitive, connecting a smartphone is difficult, its sat-nav is unreliable, the heating and air-conditioning aren’t up to scratch, the stereo quality is poor and the touchscreens need more sensitivity.
MG also finishes dead last for
