Motorists in Britain have had their say on which cars they’ve loved owning in the last 12 months – and which they’ve regretted buying in the first place.

While Toyota’s RAV4 received the most plaudits, volume-selling models from Fiat and MG have received among the lowest customer scores in the latest annual Which? car survey of 50,000 UK drivers.

But the bottom ranked car overall for satisfaction is a French sports car that is ultimately designed to put a smile on drivers’ faces, but instead has left some owners down in the mouth.

The car Britons love - and hate - the most: These are the 'new' models currently still sold in showrooms today that received the lowest customer satisfaction scores

The car Britons love - and hate - the most: These are the 'new' models currently still sold in showrooms today that received the lowest customer satisfaction scores

The car Britons love – and hate – the most: These are the ‘new’ models currently still sold in showrooms today that received the lowest customer satisfaction scores

The consumer watchdog’s 2023 survey is based on feedback on almost 60,000 individual cars (some respondents had more than one vehicle in their household) and is one measure buyers can use to establish the best and worst new cars to buy based on the opinions of those people who already own them.

Each car is given a customer score out of 100, which is made up of the owner’s satisfaction in the last 12 months and the likelihood they would recommend the motor to one of their friends or a member of their family.

Toyota’s bulletproof RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) took pole position in the 2023 poll. 

The Japanese SUV, described by one driver as ‘relaxing and comfortable to drive, with very good acceleration’, raced to a mighty customer score of 95 per cent. 

For such a hulking vehicle, owners described it as ‘exceptionally economical’ – an increasingly attractive trait in a car at a time when fuel prices have been particularly turbulent.

Toyota's RAV4 plug-in hybrid has received the highest praise from drivers who own them, with the SUV topping the latest Which? Car Survey for customer satisfaction

Toyota's RAV4 plug-in hybrid has received the highest praise from drivers who own them, with the SUV topping the latest Which? Car Survey for customer satisfaction

Toyota’s RAV4 plug-in hybrid has received the highest praise from drivers who own them, with the SUV topping the latest Which? Car Survey for customer satisfaction

Skoda super-practical Superb Estate also received plenty of plaudits from those who own one, saying they love their Czech-branded load lugger

Skoda super-practical Superb Estate also received plenty of plaudits from those who own one, saying they love their Czech-branded load lugger

Skoda super-practical Superb Estate also received plenty of plaudits from those who own one, saying they love their Czech-branded load lugger

Honda's Jazz has always been a favourite in Which? surveys, mostly due to the readership being of a slightly older generation and liking practical products that are reliable. The Jazz Crosstar hybrid was the third highest-rated 'new' car scored by owners

Honda's Jazz has always been a favourite in Which? surveys, mostly due to the readership being of a slightly older generation and liking practical products that are reliable. The Jazz Crosstar hybrid was the third highest-rated 'new' car scored by owners

Honda’s Jazz has always been a favourite in Which? surveys, mostly due to the readership being of a slightly older generation and liking practical products that are reliable. The Jazz Crosstar hybrid was the third highest-rated ‘new’ car scored by owners

In second place was Skoda’s Superb Estate, which received an impressive customer score of 93 per cent. 

The average price paid new by respondents is just shy of £30,000, making it a more affordable option for families than the top-ranked RAV4, which typically retails at around £42,500.

Overall, Asian manufacturers led the way when it came to customer score, with either Japanese or South Korean models making up the rest of the top five. 

The Honda Jazz Crosstar hybrid continued the Jazz’s incredible record in Which? surveys, having been popular amongst the consumer group’s members, who tend to be of an older generation with an eye for practicality and value for money.

Also making up the top five is Kia’s electric EV6, which proves that customers who do own particular EVs models are enjoying the experience

Also among the top performers is the latest iteration of the world’s best-selling roadster of all time – the Mazda MX-5, which alongside the Honda and Kia racked up an impressive customer score of 92 per cent.

The Kia EV6's 92% customer score shows there are plenty of drivers who fall in love with electric vehicles

The Kia EV6's 92% customer score shows there are plenty of drivers who fall in love with electric vehicles

The Kia EV6’s 92% customer score shows there are plenty of drivers who fall in love with electric vehicles

The world's best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5, is still being heaped with praise by those who drive one

The world's best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5, is still being heaped with praise by those who drive one

The world’s best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5, is still being heaped with praise by those who drive one

The cars owners have been less impressed with

At the opposite end of the spectrum, last place was taken by another sports car. 

Alpine’s two-seat A110 received a flood of negative reviews from Which? readers who have bought one. 

Described as ‘quite annoying to drive’ by one motorist and a car that ‘breaks down a lot’ by another, the model could only muster a customer score of 60 per cent.

The lowest-scored car in the Which? 2023 Car Survey for satisfaction is this, the Alpine A110. It's a two-seat sports car that hasn't received much praise from owners in this latest poll

The lowest-scored car in the Which? 2023 Car Survey for satisfaction is this, the Alpine A110. It's a two-seat sports car that hasn't received much praise from owners in this latest poll

The lowest-scored car in the Which? 2023 Car Survey for satisfaction is this, the Alpine A110. It’s a two-seat sports car that hasn’t received much praise from owners in this latest poll

Best and worst rated ‘new’ cars for customer satisfaction

BEST

1. Toyota RAV4 PHEV (2019-): 95%

2. Skoda Superb Estate (2015-): 93%

3. Honda Jazz Crosstar (2020-): 92%

4. Kia EV6 (2021-): 92%

5. Mazda MX-5 (2015-): 92%

WORST

1. Alpine A110 (2019-): 60%

2. MG ZS (2018-): 68%

3. Fiat 500 (2008-): 70%

4. Audi A3 Saloon (2020-): 71% 

5. Citroen C3 (2017-): 74%

Source: Customer scores from Which? Car Survey 2023 based on feedback from 50,323 UK owners reporting on 59,921 cars 

And there were negative reports for some more mainstream models currently in showrooms. 

Among the least satisfying cars was the MG ZS, which was the fifth most popular car in September 2023, according to sales figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 

The MG SUV – which was introduced in 2019 under the brand’s Chinese ownership – received a customer score of just 68 per cent.

The Fiat 500 also took a battering from owners with a 70 per cent score.

Having first been introduced in 2008, the ageing model remains in showrooms today with a mild-hybrid engine, despite the fact there is an exclusively-electric next-generation version also sold in UK dealers.

The MG ZS was among the worst rated models currently sold in showrooms, based on feedback from drivers who have one in their household

The MG ZS was among the worst rated models currently sold in showrooms, based on feedback from drivers who have one in their household

The MG ZS was among the worst rated models currently sold in showrooms, based on feedback from drivers who have one in their household

There's a new generation Fiat 500 sold exclusively with an electric drivetrain, though the older version (on sale since 2008) remains in showrooms with a petrol mild-hybrid engine. It scored a lowly 70% rating in the Which? poll

There's a new generation Fiat 500 sold exclusively with an electric drivetrain, though the older version (on sale since 2008) remains in showrooms with a petrol mild-hybrid engine. It scored a lowly 70% rating in the Which? poll

There’s a new generation Fiat 500 sold exclusively with an electric drivetrain, though the older version (on sale since 2008) remains in showrooms with a petrol mild-hybrid engine. It scored a lowly 70% rating in the Which? poll

The pricier Audi A3 Saloon also didn’t impress the owners who reported back on it, scoring just 71 per cent overall, fractionally worse than the Citroen C3 with a 74 per cent score.

In order for Which? to provide a customer score for a model, at least 50 different owners needed to supply feedback on that individual vehicle, ensuring the data is robust and a reflection of what many drivers think about the cars.

The consumer watchdog says that the results are not all that surprising, given the reliability track records of the brands at the top and bottom of the scoring. 

Audi's A3 saloon was also among the lowest-ranked car models based on owner satisfaction. Which? has to receive feedback from at least 50 owners to give a score for each vehicle

Audi's A3 saloon was also among the lowest-ranked car models based on owner satisfaction. Which? has to receive feedback from at least 50 owners to give a score for each vehicle

Audi’s A3 saloon was also among the lowest-ranked car models based on owner satisfaction. Which? has to receive feedback from at least 50 owners to give a score for each vehicle

Also among the lowest rated is the Citroen C3. Which? said the outcome of the satisfaction results marry with reliability track records, with the French brand 'languishing towards the bottom'

Also among the lowest rated is the Citroen C3. Which? said the outcome of the satisfaction results marry with reliability track records, with the French brand 'languishing towards the bottom'

Also among the lowest rated is the Citroen C3. Which? said the outcome of the satisfaction results marry with reliability track records, with the French brand ‘languishing towards the bottom’

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: ‘It’s no coincidence that the most satisfying cars to drive come from brands with a consistently high reputation for reliability.

‘Like last year, Asian manufacturers lead the way over their European counterparts, with well-known models from the likes of Citroen, Fiat and Audi languishing towards the bottom of the table.

‘Our research also found that drivers are enthusiastic about cars that are at least partially electrified. 

‘The government and industry must do everything in their power to make the transition to those models as smooth as possible.’

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