Lexus IS Crowned Auto Express Driver Power 2015 Winner

The Lexus IS has scooped Auto Express’ Driver Power survey’s top award for customer satisfaction.

Skoda, which has topped the customer satisfaction charts for the last four years, has at last had to step aside for the powerful 3rd generation Lexus IS, a saloon that is notable for sharp steering, firm suspension and excellent handling.

The Driver Power survey is carried out yearly by online car magazine Auto Express to determine the UK’s best cars to purchase and run. This year, 61,113 owners were polled – the most ever – with the overwhelming verdict being that Lexus’ super sleek saloon is our nation’s most desirable and reliable vehicle.

Scoring a satisfaction rating of almost 94%, the new Lexus IS beat the Skoda Yeti into second place, with its stablemate, the Lexus NX coming sixth.

The Lexus IS was also crowned the best compact executive car, and was also praised for its ease of driving. The growing success of Lexus hybrid power is also reflected in the fact that the Lexus NX scooped the Best for Build Quality award, whilst the second generation Lexus RX took home the gong for Best for Seat Comfort award.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief said: “The new IS is clearly much loved by its owners, while the new Lexus NX also features highly in our survey after just a few months on sale.

“In fact, even some of the older Lexus models are highly ranked, showing the enduring quality of the cars and the attention to detail of the dealers.

“Lexus is setting the standards other car makers need to aim for.”

British Hope

Although the Driver Power 2015 top ten Best Cars to Own is dominated by foreign automakers, including Lexus, Hyundai, Nissan and SEAT, there was a modicum of British success too. The commanding Jaguar XJ MK4 edged itself into seventh place, whilst the popular MINI MK3 came ninth. The fun-loving MG3 rounded off the top ten.

Strangely enough, the best-selling car in the UK, the Ford Fiesta, was left languishing in 52nd place.

But perhaps the most heartening news about this years’ Driver Power survey is the fact that each of the top five scored higher than last years’ overall winner. The conclusion to take from this is that UK buyers are becoming more and more satisfied with their new cars.

In the individual categories, the SEAT Leon was heralded as the best compact family car, whilst the Skoda Roomster scooped an award for the best MPV. The 2011 overall winner, the Skoda Superb, retained its title as best family car. Toyota proved to be our most popular car, with 13 of its models finding themselves in the top 200.

There are still two more Driver Power awards lying in store for Lexus, although they won’t be revealed until later this year.