Revealed: the most satisfying new cars to own

The Toyota Prius has topped the table in the UK’s biggest new car ownership survey.

The world’s biggest-selling hybrid car narrowly beat the Lexus IS saloon in the 2019 Driver Power survey, published exclusively by Auto Express.

In all, there were three hybrids in the Driver Power top five, while the impressive new Alfa Romeo Giulia took bronze for the second year in a row.

Incredibly, six of the Top 10 finishers are available as hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully-electric models, indicating that once drivers make the move away from models powered solely by internal combustion engines, they are very happy indeed.

Established in 2002, Driver Power is claimed to be the biggest and most comprehensive car satisfaction survey in the UK.

Drivers of cars up to 24 months old were quizzed in all aspects of ownership, across 31 areas that combine to make up nine voting categories including boot space, in-car tech, economy, ride, handling and reliability.

Driver Power top-ranked new cars

1. Toyota Prius – 93.22
2. Lexus IS – 93.19
3. Alfa Romeo Giulia – 93.00
4. Kia Sorento – 92.98
5. Lexus RX – 92.87
6. Skoda Kodiaq – 92.75
7. Peugeot 3008 – 92.69
8. Hyundai Ioniq – 92.67
9. Lexus GS – 92.64
10. Kia Niro – 92.63

Driver Power category winners

Best city car – Kia Picanto
Best supermini – Kia Rio
Best premium small car – Fiat 500
Best compact family car – Toyota Prius
Best family car – Mazda 6
Best MPV – Citroen C4 Picasso
Best small SUV – SEAT Arona
Best mid-size SUV – Peugeot 3008
Best large SUV – Kia Sorento
Best premium mid-size SUV – Volvo XC60
Best premium large SUV – Lexus RX
Best compact executive car – Lexus IS
Best executive car – Lexus GS
Best electric car – Hyundai Ioniq
Best roadster – Mazda MX-5
Best sports car – Lexus RC