4. Toyota Prius

93.04%

YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2015- present KEY POINTS Hybrid trendsetter is our fuel economy champ and has few weak points

THE world’s most famous hybrid vehicle continues to delight its many owners as an exceptional all-rounder.

The Toyota Prius scores strongly in a number of categories, and came top for the impressive economy it delivers – not unsurprising given this is part of the car’s reason for being, but reassuring all the same.

As well as low running costs, the hybrid Toyota is characterised by its excellent reliability and build quality, with superb results in these areas. And while efficiency may be core to the Prius ethos, owners tell us they rate the overall driving experience; but the ride quality came in for some criticism. Still, the Prius got excellent scores for the petrol-electric drivetrain it has been fundamental in popularising, and Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of protective systems helped the hatchback scoop the bronze medal in the safety feature category.

Areas to look out for on the car? There aren’t many. The 502-litre boot attracted some criticism from readers, plus they say cabin storage could be better. The Prius’s infotainment system could also do with some tweaks, according to owners, with the sat-nav in particular getting a mediocre score.

“CVT gives smooth acceleration with no kickdown and instant power, so it’s quick off the line.”

“The fuel economy in town and on motorways is unbelievable. I achieve 70mpg and the number of visits I make to petrol stations has halved.”