Hybrids, EVs Shine in U.K. Owner-Satisfaction Survey

A hybrid car tops an annual U.K. ownership satisfaction survey while two electric vehicles drive into the top 10 for the first time in the survey’s 14-year history.

The Driver Power 2015 survey by Auto Express magazine has drivers rate their vehicles in 10 categories including reliability, running costs, practicality and in-car technology. This year’s appraisal received a record 61,113 responses, up 20% from 2014.

The Lexus IS takes the No.1 slot with a satisfaction rating of 93.96%, ending the Skoda Yeti’s 3-year stint at the top of the survey. Three-quarters of all Lexus IS owners who responded own the eco-friendly hybrid version.

The new Lexus NX, also sold in hybrid form, was rated sixth, while Lexus was voted the U.K.’s favorite manufacturer, topping the polls for build quality, ease of driving and seat comfort.

The Yeti slipped to second place in this year’s survey with a 92.78% satisfaction rating, while the Hyundai i10 was third and the SEAT Leon was fourth.

Two electric vehicles, the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf, were ranked fifth and eighth, respectively, out of more than 500 models surveyed. With a satisfaction rating of 92.87%, the Zoe scored higher than last year’s winner, the Yeti.

“Car buyers are attracted by the low running costs of hybrid and electric cars, but Driver Power 2015 shows that the whole ownership experience for these cars is pretty enjoyable, too,” Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler says in a statement.

There was British success in the survey with Mini named most-improved manufacturer, while the Jaguar XJ got the highest ratings from owners in the executive-car category and owners of the Land Rover Discovery rated their vehicles’ ride quality the best.

The average amount spent on a car rose 12% between 2013 and 2015, from £14,453 to £16,115 ($22,000 to $24,500). The survey also finds drivers are replacing their cars more frequently, with respondents who have owned their car for less than a year rising 13% since 2013.

This year’s top five all scored highly enough to have topped the survey last year, suggesting drivers are more satisfied with their cars than last year.