Yahoo Finance Revealed: UK's most loved cars
The Alfa Romeo Guilia is the UK’s most satisfying new car to own, according to data from Which?
The consumer association identified which new and used cars are the most and least satisfying to own, as rated by their drivers over the past 12 months.
Despite road and lab assessments finding the saloon model to be less “well-rounded” than German rivals the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, Brits said they were thrilled with the £35,000 Guilia’s “excellent performance” and “sharp driving dynamics”.
One owner said: “This is an exceptional car with stunning performance and handling. It is good to drive and stands out from other similar cars on the road. It makes me smile every time I drive it.”
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The Vauxhall Meriva MPV, on the other hand, came in dead last. Owners cited its “lack of refinement”, “sluggish performance”, and “large blind spots caused by chunky window pillars” as their main gripes.
As the model was too old to reassess its reliability as a used car, it’s “no surprise it’s fallen behind newer rivals”, Which? said.
When it comes to electric cars, Tesla is a hit with owners, Which? found.
The brand’s Model 3 and Model S cars scored highest among electric cars for driver satisfaction.
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Owners said it’s the brand’s “futuristic feel” they love they most, citing “monumental performance”, “zero tailpipe emissions” and “speed” among their car’s best qualities.
“It makes conventionally fuelled cars seem like antiques,” one owner said.
Hybrids also ranked highly, with the new Toyota RAV4, and older Honda Jazz Hybrid, being particularly pleasing to owners.
Owners cited “ease of use” and a “smooth driving experience” as factors that stood out for them, suggesting despite their “complicated technology”, hybrids are actually rather user-friendly and hassle-free.
And while paying through the nose for a luxury-brand model may seem like a fool-proof way to ensure a stress-free driving experience, that’s not necessarily the case.
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Which? said despite it being “as quiet, cosseting and tech-laden as you’d expect from a luxury SUV,” the Range Rover Velvar largely disappointed owners, who complained of electrical system glitches, restricted rear visibility and “iffy” reliability.
Lexus, on the other hand, consistently scored highly for customers satisfaction. Despite going out of sale two years ago, its GS large saloon model was found to be the most satisfying luxury car — as well as the most satisfying hybrid and used car.
