Electric Vehicle Leads Satisfaction Survey for British Drivers
A comprehensive survey of UK motorists reveals that electric vehicles may be contributing to greater driver happiness. The Tesla Model 3 has been awarded the title of the best car to own in Britain, according to the nation’s largest automotive satisfaction poll. This electric saloon model outperformed 50 other vehicles to achieve the highest overall satisfaction rating from drivers.
The Model 3, with a new price range of £37,990 to £59,990, secured the top position by excelling in three key categories of the Auto Express Driver Power 2026 survey: engine and gearbox performance, safety features, and quality and reliability. The poll, which gathered feedback from over 100,000 drivers, is the most extensive of its kind in the UK. Participants evaluated their vehicles on dependability, interior space, protective features, value for money, and driving experience to gauge owner satisfaction.
The positive reception from drivers placed the electric Tesla ahead of the BMW 2 Series three-door coupe and the Vauxhall Grandland SUV, suggesting that electric vehicles are becoming a compelling choice for many motorists. Here’s a look at the top-rated vehicles by their owners:
The Best Car to Own: Tesla Model 3
Satisfaction Score: 88.6%
The Tesla Model 3 was the only vehicle to achieve a perfect score in a specific category, earning full marks for drivetrain smoothness. It also claimed first place for acceleration, attributed to its electric drive and instant torque. The Performance variant of the Model 3 can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in a swift 2.9 seconds. These attributes contributed to the Model 3 ranking second overall for driving pleasure. Owners were also impressed with its range, which officially varies between 332 and 466 miles depending on the version, helping it achieve the highest score among EVs in the survey, though it ranked 14th for overall efficiency when compared to all fuel types.
According to Sarah Perks from Auto Express, “Owners love almost everything about their Model 3s, especially now quality has improved. Even the ‘screen-first’ policy, which puts most functions onto the touchscreen, doesn’t seem to worry owners who live with the car daily. Their scores for the balance between physical and digital controls put the Model 3 in third place for this category.” She further noted, “The biggest improvement in the Model 3’s scores over previous years has been in quality. The Tesla has previously been last in this category, but it is now built well enough to achieve fifth place, and third for reliability. The Model 3’s worst scores are for exterior styling, with a 34th position, and brake responsiveness, at 31st in the chart, but neither could take the shine off the 3’s victory.”
BMW 2 Series Secures Second Place
Score: 88.2%
The BMW 2 Series saw a significant jump in the rankings, moving from 10th place in the 2025 survey to second this year. It secured seven category wins, including crucial areas such as interior quality, driving pleasure, and engine sound. The car’s standout feature is its infotainment system, comprising a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, which earned it the top spot in the infotainment category. The sporty coupe also leads in user-friendliness of controls and climate control, and ranks second for smartphone connectivity, satellite navigation, audio system, and touchscreen operation.
Perks commented, “BMW’s 2 Series misses out on first place by a whisker. The quality of the interior finish and materials is highly rated, with a score of 89.95 per cent, putting it just ahead of the 5 Series. Even though it’s a coupé, visibility is still considered strong enough to secure second place. As a sportier car, the 2 Series is praised for its driving dynamics, with owners rating it third-best for powertrain performance and placing ride and handling second overall. However, practicality is a weaker point, with the car ranking 28th for child-friendly features. Owners also felt the exterior styling could be improved, with it only managing 33rd place in the chart.”
Vauxhall Grandland Impresses in Top 5
Score: 87.8%
The Vauxhall Grandland marks the first Vauxhall model to enter the top 5 best cars to own. While it did not achieve any individual category wins, it garnered a high overall score due to consistent strong performance across multiple areas. Owners appreciate the Grandland’s appearance, with its styling placing it in sixth place for exterior design. The interior also received praise, ranking second overall for both interior quality and practicality. Its 550-litre boot capacity contributed to a fourth-place finish in that specific category.
Perks stated, “The Grandland is no stranger to the Driver Power top 10, and even though it has slipped a place since last year, this is still a great result for Vauxhall. While the load area is big, owners told us the bills are kept small. The Grandland was placed second overall for running costs, with low servicing prices singled out for particular praise. A sixth place for overall value suggests customers are happy with purchase and leasing costs, too, while fuel consumption is a reasonable 12th. There is a concern for electric Grandland owners, though, with many saying the range they were achieving is disappointing compared with official claims. The only other blot on the Grandland’s copybook is a lowly 33rd place for acceleration.”
Ford Kuga Claims Fourth Position
Score: 87.3%
The Ford Kuga, a plug-in hybrid SUV priced from £33,335 new, secured fourth place thanks to a well-rounded set of scores, including numerous top 10 rankings. Owners rated the Kuga below average in only four specific areas.
Perks observed, “The Kuga maintains its fourth place from 2025, with a strong set of scores across the board. In fact, there are only four areas where owners rate it below average: exterior styling, where it ranks 27th; interior quality at 34th; and running costs such as insurance and VED, where it’s also placed 27th. While ride quality might not be to all owners’ tastes, with a 33rd-place finish, they seem happy with the rest of the driving experience, with third-place rankings for steering response and driving pleasure.”
Vauxhall Frontera Debuts in Top 5
Score: 86.9%
Vauxhall’s refreshed model line-up is proving popular, with a second model, the Frontera, entering the top five. The Frontera achieved several top 10 scores in key areas, with its interior, particularly its 460-litre boot, being a significant strength. Owners awarded it a 91.49 per cent score for boot space, placing it second only to the larger Tesla Model Y.
Perks commented, “It’s an impressive debut for Vauxhall’s fresh-faced family car, entering straight into the top five with strong scores in crucial areas. However, some concerns likely prevented it from reaching the podium. There are pleasant surprises in the way the Frontera drives, too – it was rated first in the entire survey for steering responsiveness and sixth for handling. Fourth place for economy and running costs will also please Vauxhall, but the overall score was pulled down by some weaknesses. These include 42nd place for quality and 40th for the audio system. Most concerning is reliability, where it ranks 48th.”
