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Honest John Satisfaction Index 2023

Lexus is the UK's best-rated car brand

Lexus has been named the UK’s ‘most satisfying car brand’ in the 2023 Honest John Satisfaction Index, which is based on the feedback of 6000 car owners.

Each year HonestJohn.co.uk readers are asked to rate their car in a number of important areas including fuel economy, reliability, practicality and safety, as well as the car’s performance and how comfortable and easy it is to drive.

Lexus topped the reliability category and performed well across the board with an overall satisfaction rating of 92.37%, beating last year’s winner Dacia to the top spot with Tesla a fraction behind. Porsche and Jaguar complete the top five of this year's index.

Rank Manufacturer Satisfaction Index Rating
Lexus 92.37%
2 Dacia 92.16%
Tesla  92.12% 
4 Porsche 90.91%
Jaguar 90.53%

Toyota

90.35%
Hyundai 90.16%
Kia 90.13% 
Land Rover 89.93%
10  Subaru 89.72%

Hyundai Tucson is the UK's most satisfying car to own

The Hyundai Tucson is the highest rated car in the 2023 Satisfaction Index, with a score of 96.64 per cent.

Available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric car, it was praised for its performance, ease to drive, and reliability, backed by Hyundai’s five-year warranty. 

Worst for owner satisfaction was the Mercedes-Benz GLC Class (2015-2022 model), singled out for its high repair costs and poor fuel economy, receiving an overall rating of 80.98 per cent.

It was followed by the Toyota RAV4 (2013-2019 model) in second place with 85.07 per cent and the Ford Fiesta (2013-2017 model) in third with 85.62 per cent.

Lexus named most reliable brand for fourth year

Lexus is the best car brand for reliability for the fourth year running, with an average score of 9.89 out of 10. Suzuki takes second place (9.75), with Subaru finishing third with an average score of 9.72. 

At the other end of the reliability table, Land Rover receives the lowest average rating - a disappointing 8.93. Peugeot also scored 8.93 out of 10, but takes second spot by the smallest of a fraction. Fiat completes the bottom three with an average of 8.94. 

The Lexus NX (2014-2021) is the UK's most reliable car with an outstanding average of 9.98. The Hyundai Tucson is ranked second with an impressive 9.96, followed by the Kia XCeed (9.96).

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (2015-2022) languishes at the bottom of the reliability rankings with an average score of 8.52, followed by the Peugeot 3008, which scored 6.61 out of 10 and the Ford Kuga, which scored 8.70.

Top 10: Best cars

Hyundai Tucson

Satisfaction rating: 96.64%

The Hyundai Tucson is the UK's best car for owner satisfaction, notching up an impressive average of 96.64 per cent. Owners say the latest Tucson SUV is comfortable, practical, easy to use and great to drive. The Tucson is well built, too, with owners giving it 9.96 out of 10 for reliability - one of the highest scores in this year's Index. 

Read our full Hyundai Tucson review

Kia XCeed

Satisfaction rating: 96.40%

Good to drive, cheap to run and backed by a seven-year/100,000 miles warranty, the Kia XCeed misses out on the top spot by the smallest of margins. Owners praise the XCeed for its build quality and in-car tech. Kia's crossover also received maximum points for safety. If you are looking for a dependable and comfortable family car, the XCeed is unlikely to disappoint. 

Read our full Kia XCeed review

Hyundai Ioniq

Satisfaction rating: 94.55%

The Hyundai Ioniq has enjoyed a lot of success in the Honest John Satisfaction Index (being rated as the UK's best car in 2020 and 2021). However, its average score is one per cent lower than in 2021 and this has seen the model drop to third place in the list of best cars. That said, the Ioniq is still highly rated, with drivers praising the car for its ease of use, comfort and build quality. 

Read our full Hyundai Ioniq review

>>> Click to see the full top 10

Top 10 cars for reliability

Lexus NX (2014 - 2021)

Reliability average score: 9.98

The old shape Lexus NX (built from 2014 to 2021) is the UK's best car for reliability. This premium SUV scored a near-perfect 9.98 reliability average score in the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index - with owners also praising the NX for its comfort, road handling and practicality. Lexus is also the best car brand for reliability, a title it's held for the past two successive years. 

Read our full Lexus NX (2014 - 2021) review

Hyundai Tucson

Reliability average score: 9.96

HonestJohn.co.uk readers rate the latest Hyundai Tucson very highly. Not only is this SUV the UK's best car for owner satisfaction with an overall score of 96.64 per cent, but it also has the second-highest average reliability score, notching up an impressive 9.96 out of 10. Combine this with Hyundai's five-year unlimited mileage warranty and it's easy to see why the Tucson is so popular.  

Read our full Hyundai Tucson review

Kia XCeed

Reliability average score: 9.96

It's a strong showing from the Kia XCeed. It has a reliability average score of 9.96 - which is identical to the Hyundai Tucson. The XCeed is also one of the best cars for owner satisfaction, with a model average of 96.40 per cent. Little wonder, perhaps, that Kia is also ranked as one of the best car brands in the UK. 

Read our full Kia XCeed review

>>> Click to see the full top 10

See the full rankings

1

Full rankings

Ranking Manufacturer Satisfaction Index Score
1 Lexus 92.37% 
2 Dacia 92.16%
3 Tesla 92.12% 
4 Porsche  90.91%
5 Jaguar 90.53%
6 Toyota 90.35%
7 Hyundai 90.16%
8 Kia 90.13% 
9 Land Rover 89.93%
10 Subaru 89.72%
11 Honda 89.70%
12 BMW 89.63%
13 Skoda 89.62%
14 Volvo 89.26%
15 Mazda  89.22% 
16 Audi 89.05%
17 Suzuki 88.84%
18 MG 88.83%
19 Nissan 88.24%
20 Mercedes-Benz 87.52%
21 Volkswagen 87.34%
22 SEAT 87.27%
23 Ford 87.21%
24 Peugeot 86.74%
25 MINI 86.55%
26 Citroen 86.42%
27 Mitsubishi 86.33%
28 Renault 84.42%
29 Vauxhall  82.69% 
2

Top 20 cars

 Rank Make Model Satisfaction Index Rating 
1 Hyundai Tucson  96.64%
2 Kia XCeed  96.40%
3 Hyundai Ioniq  94.55%
4 Hyundai Kona Electric 

94.14%

5 Kia 

e-Niro (2018-2022)

94.09%
6 Dacia Sandero   93.99%
7 Skoda Superb  93.95%
8 Skoda Fabia Estate (2015-2022) 93.59%
9 Toyota RAV4  93.43%
10 Dacia Duster  93.38%
11 Toyota Corolla  93.06%
12 Honda  CR-V 92.84%
13 Jaguar F-Pace 92.73%
14 Lexus NX (2014-2021) 92.68% 
15 Tesla Model 3  92.66%
16 Peugeot 2008 (2013-2019) 92.59%
17 Jaguar XF  92.58%
18 BMW 3 Series Touring (2012-2019) 92.51% 
19 Toyota  Corolla Touring Sports   92.46%
20 Kia Niro (2016-2021) 92.33%
3

Worst 20 cars

 Rank Make Model Satisfaction Index Rating 
1 Mercedes-Benz  GLC-Class (2015-2022) 80.98%
2 Toyota RAV4 (2013-2019) 85.07%
3 Ford Fiesta (2013-2017) 85.62%
4 Vauxhall Mokka X (2012-2016) 85.81%
5 Honda   CR-V (2012-2018) 86.54% 
6 Mercedes-Benz  C-Class (2014-2021)  86.58%
7 Volvo V40 (2012-2019) 86.85%
8 Honda  HR-V (2015-2021) 87.06%
9 Nissan Qashqai (2014-2021) 87.45%
10 Honda Civic (2017-2021) 88.13%
11 Ford Kuga (2020-)  88.29% 
12 Ford Fiesta (2017-) 88.37% 
13 Toyota  Auris (2013-2019) 88.39%
14 Toyota Yaris (2011-2020) 88.70% 
15 Peugeot 3008 (2017 - )  88.73%
16 Volkswagen Tiguan (2016 - ) 88.75% 
17 Volkswagen   Golf (2013 - 2020) 88.80%
18 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014 - 2021) 88.81%
18 Skoda Octavia (2013 - 2020)  88.01%
20 BMW i1 (2013 - 2022) 89.09

The 10 most unreliable cars

Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015 - 2022)

Reliability average score: 8.52

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is an upmarket SUV that rivals the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. However, when it comes to reliability and owner satisfaction, the GLC doesn't live up to Mercedes-Benz standards. The GLC's average reliability score is the lowest of any car in this year's Honest John Satisfaction Index. The GLC is also ranked as the worst car in the UK for owner satisfaction. Hopefully, the all-new GLC will signal a much-needed improvement in quality on all fronts. 

Read our full Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015 - 2022) review

Peugeot 3008

Reliability average score: 8.61

Stylish and good to drive, the Peugeot 3008 is popular with family drivers who need a practical and upmarket family car. However, with a reliability average of just 8.61, it seems the 3008 fails to deliver when it comes to build quality. Drivers criticise the 3008 for its high fuel cost, too. 

Read our full Peugeot 3008 review

Ford Kuga

Reliability average score: 8.70

It's a disappointing showing from the Ford Kuga, with poor scores for both reliability and repair costs. As a result, Ford's SUV is ranked among the most unreliable cars in the UK in the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index with an average score of just 8.70 out of 10.

Read our full Ford Kuga review

>>> Click to see the full top 10

NFU Mutual named best car insurance company for the fifth year in a row

NFU Mutual has topped the car insurance company rankings in the Honest John Satisfaction Index 2022. This is the fifth year in a row that HonestJohn.co.uk readers have rated NFU as the best for value and customer service, with the insurance provider notching up an overall average satisfaction rating of 9.27 out of 10. 

Avia's Quotemehappy.com car insurance product takes second place this year, with an average of 9.06, while M&S car insurance is third. SheilasWheels and LV complete the top five.

At the other end of the rankings are esure, which received the lowest average score, at 7.91 out of 10, RAC (8.01), 1st Central (8.03), John Lewis (8.16) and Co-operative (8.17). 

Ranking

Insurer

Satisfaction Index Rating

1 NFU Mutual 9.27
2 Quote me happy 9.06
3 M&S Car Insurance 8.98 
4 Sheilas' Wheels 8.95 
5 LV= (Liverpool Victoria) 8.94
6 Direct Line 8.77
Saga 8.77 
Tesco 8.74 
9 RIAS 8.73 
10 Sainsbury's Bank 8.72 
11 General Accident 8.71 
12 AXA 8.69
13 Aviva 8.64
14 Lloyds 8.63 
15 Churchill 8.60 
16 More Than
8.59 
17 Dial Direct  8.56 
18 Flux Direct  8.51 
19 Admiral 8.50 
20 One Call  8.33
21  Privilege 8.26
22  Hastings Direct  8.24 
23  The AA 8.21 
24  Co-operative 8.17 
25  John Lewis  8.16 
26  1st Central 8.03 
27  RAC 8.01
28  esure 7.91

Honest John Satisfaction Index 2023 Honest John Satisfaction Index - Full Colour s

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