Dacia Duster takes top spot in UK’s definitive customer satisfaction survey

The Dacia Duster has been crowned Britain’s best car to own in the UK’s biggest new car satisfaction survey.

The 2024 Auto Express Driver Power survey saw eight different brands finish in the top 10 positions, with the Duster taking top spot ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and a pair of Toyotas – the Yaris and RAV4, with the Mini hatchback rounding out the top five.

Offering a comprehensive insight into what owners really think of the new cars they have bought, Driver Power gives owners a voice, helping to inform potential buyers, and telling car companies what customers really think of their products.

Driver Power sets owners comprehensive questions on cars bought new that they have owned for up to three years across ten separate and detailed categories.

The Dacia scored most impressively for value for money and its straightforward and usable interior controls and touchscreen, while the scores for boot space and cabin storage showed that owners clearly love their Dusters.

Tesla’s Model 3 grabbed top spot in three categories – Powertrain, Economy & Running Costs and Safety on its way to an overall runner-up spot, while the Skoda Kodiaq also took three category wins (Interior & Comfort, Practicality & Space and Reliability & Build Quality), although lower scores for its powertrain and running costs saw it finish outside the overall top 10.

“The Driver Power survey once again tells the story of what these cars are like to live with, written by the people that have bought and paid for them,” said Auto Express Editor Paul Barker. “We have always loved the Dacia Duster, and our results show that owners wholeheartedly agree. Driver Power has once again shone a light on where consumers can find peak motoring satisfaction.”

Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, added: “We know how good our cars are, but the real proof comes from those who own, drive and live with them. Duster’s unbeatable performance in the Driver Power survey shows that it delivers what we promise, day in and day out, being made for exciting adventures and demonstrating how you can have both robust quality and exceptional value. With the new model just months away, the current Duster leaves a fantastic legacy with this award showing just how capable it is and why it’s so iconic.”

The full results of the 2024 Driver Power survey can be found in the latest issue of Auto Express, out on Wednesday 12 June, or at https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driver-power-2024

The 2024 Driver Power Top 10

1. DACIA DUSTER MK2
2. TESLA MODEL 3 MK1
3. TOYOTA YARIS MK4
4. TOYOTA RAV4 MK5
5. MINI HATCHBACK MK3
6. PEUGEOT 208 MK2
7. MAZDA CX-5 MK2
8. PEUGEOT 2008 MK2
9. CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS MK1
10. FORD PUMA MK1

Category Winners 

• Best Powertrain – Tesla Model 3
• Best Value – Dacia Duster
• Best Exterior – Peugeot 2008
• Best Interior and Comfort – Skoda Kodiaq
• Best Ride and Handling – Peugeot 208
• Best Practicality and Boot Space – Skoda Kodiaq
• Best Safety Features – Tesla Model 3
• Best Economy and Running Costs – Tesla Model 3
• Best Infotainment, Connectivity and Electrics – Dacia Duster
• Best Reliability and Build Quality – Skoda Kodiaq

Top Cars By Segment 

• Best City Car – Kia Picanto
• Best Supermini – Toyota Yaris
• Best Compact Family Car – Toyota Corolla
• Best Premium Compact Family Car – BMW 1 Series
• Best Small SUV – Dacia Duster
• Best Premium Small SUV – Volvo XC40
• Best SUV – Toyota RAV4
• Best Premium SUV – Jaguar F-Pace
• Best Executive Car – Tesla Model 3