This year’s Driver Power survey – run by Auto Express – has been published, and it reveals some fascinating results, potentially signalling the future of the automotive industry.
The survey is unique in that votes are taken not from industry professionals, but car owners themselves. That means there is a wide range of tastes, likes, dislikes and lifestyles coming into consideration, making for an informative and useful collection of results.
The power of electricity
The trend this year is certainly the impressive growth and dominance of the electric car, with the top two spots going to fully electric models. Second place sees Renault’s all-electric hatchback, the ZOE, hitting a 93.57% overall satisfaction rating, while top spot is given to the debuting Tesla Model S. Not only did the Tesla top the survey, it did so in emphatic fashion, smashing the previous overall satisfaction record of 92.78% with an impressive 97.46%. Tesla owners flocked to rate the Model S which topped seven of the ten categories. Quite the debut indeed.
Tesla Triumphs
The Tesla Model S impressed with its tech integration – its advanced touchscreen controls and autonomous driving modes expertly demonstrating the tech know-how of Musk’s Tesla Motors. Combine that with the cheap running costs – free charging stations obliterate the cost of topping up fuel – and you have an enticing product which is clearly rounding up its fair share of admirers. There were some concerns over the build quality, the lowest scoring category for the Model S, and you might expect a car of such price and quality to carry itself a little better in that regard, but it is something Tesla Motors can rectify in the future. With new Tesla models on the way relatively soon, we might become accustomed to seeing the Tesla name lord over the rankings for quite a few years to come.
Renault Rises
The ZOE has continued its growth this year, jumping three places from last year’s survey to come in second at 93.57%. Gaining high praise for its ease of driving and performance, and the implementation of Renault’s R-Link multimedia system, means the ZOE makes for an attractive package. As expected of an electric car, running costs are low and that is proving to be a huge advantage to car owners. It is something electric cars can always brag about, and could be the deciding factor in switching to electric.
Renault also took third spot with the Kadjar SUV – 93.42% – showing that the manufacturer is getting things right across the board.
Hybrids
Hybrid cars also featured heavily in this year’s survey, taking four spots in the top ten – including last year’s overall winner. This suggests that consumers are embracing the more efficient options springing up all around the industry, impressed by the lower running costs and the ever improving ride quality and performance. Covering almost half of the top ten, the popularity of hybrids is expanding, and if you listen to the drivers, there are good reasons for that.
Lexus
Last year’s winner, the Lexus IS Mk3, was left with fourth spot in the survey this time around, but that doesn’t mean that it is any less impressive than it was last year. In fact, the IS came second in reliability – just behind the Lexus RX Mk3 – proving that consumers still appreciate the flagship reliability standards they have come to expect from the Lexus name. Lexus as a whole covered four of overall the top ten, so drivers certainly aren’t souring on the brand – competition is just getting tougher, and it will be up to Lexus to iterate and fight back, as they try to rectify aspects identified as disappointing. Practicality was called into question for the hybrid models, with the hybrid system of the IS Mk3 taking up 30 litres of capacity. It will be interesting to see if Lexus can fix this issue in the future.
Signs of the future?
With the dominance on display by electric and hybrid cars this year it will be fascinating to see whether or not this trend continues. Consumers obviously seem satisfied by their choices, and with companies like Tesla looking to accelerate production in the coming years, it looks like electric cars are here for the long haul. Maybe soon we’ll be talking about a top ten entirely made up of hybrid and electric models. There are still some important features which need to be improved, but overall things seem to be looking good for those willing to invest in the electric alternative.
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