JD Power Satisfaction Survey 2006 - Small family cars

It's no great surprise that a Japanese car won this group again, but it's a real surprise which one. That's not to say the Suzuki Liana doesn't deserve this win or that it hasn't done so well in the past; it's just that nothing prepared us for its near 5% improvement this year.

Suzuki apart, it's business as usual in 2006. The top five small cars are all Japanese and all sit in the top 25 overall. Likewise, it's the usual suspects at the foot of the table, with five of the bottom six coming from French or Italian manufacturers.

Class winner
Suzuki Liana
Rating: 85.6%
Overall ranking: 3rd

The Liana has always been a decent performer in these surveys, but we never expected such a superb performance across the board, good enough to take a it to a class win and third position overall.

Other than a slight hiccup for mechanical problems (a relatively high number of issues with the suspension) it put in an above-average display in every category.

Owners loved the low fuel and servicing costs, and rated their dealers top in this class in every aspect.

They also like the Liana's looks, raved about the car's practicality and reported very few problems with quality. The engines were sound and the interior well built.

2nd Honda Civic
3rd Toyota Corolla
4th Mazda 3
5th Mazda 323
6th = Audi A3
6th = VW Golf
8th Subaru Impreza
9th Ford Focus
10th VW Beetle
11th Vauxhall Astra
12th Seat Leon
13th Rover 45/MG ZS
14th Nissan Almera
15th Renault Megane
16th Citroen Xsara
17th Alfa 147
18th Kia Rio
19th Fiat Stilo
20th Peugeot 307

Click here for a manufacturers' league table.

Click here for a model league table.