JD Power Survey 2005 - Superminis

No fewer than three of the top four cars in the overall standings come from this category.

Top of the charts, and by some way, is the Honda Jazz, retaining its position from last year. Following in third and fourth places are the Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia. All three beat every car from the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes – not bad for mere superminis.

There’s a shock in store at the other end of the table with the Seat Arosa’s rating falling by 5%. It now rates alongside the MG Rover/ZR, last year’s bottom supermini, and both sit in the bottom 10 overall.

Honda Jazz CLASS WINNER
Rating 88.1% Overall Ranking 1st
You almost run out of superlatives when describing the performance of the Honda Jazz. It gets excellent ratings in every category but one (where it’s ‘just’ above average) and goes on to record an overall score that’s well ahead of any other car in the survey. It’s a very clear, and worthy, winner.

Owners simply love every aspect of it, from the thoughtful dealers and the low running costs to its practical interior. The design, inside and out, gets the thumbs-up, as do the superb build quality and fine drive. Finally, mechanical reliability is second to none, with problems all but unheard of.

Toyota Yaris Second in class
Rating 85.1% Overall Ranking 3rd
Again, the Yaris puts up an excellent showing. Like the Honda, the Yaris can claim excellent running costs and superb service from the dealers. Owners say it’s a joy to drive and a great car to look at, while appreciating the practical and spacious interior

The Jazz edges ahead with slightly better ratings for its quality, but by any standards the Yaris is impressive. All three aspects of quality are rated as above average.

Skoda Fabia Third in class
Rating 84.7% Overall Ranking 4th=
Third in class and fourth overall, this is another strong showing from the former What Car? Car of the Year.

Owners said they were very happy with the runnings costs and reckoned the dealer service was virtually faultless. The interior came in for particular praise and owners loved driving it.

The Fabia’s looks lost it some ground to the top two superminis, as did built quality – both rated merely above average. But, the mechanical reliability was up with the very best.

Click here for the supermini results table

Click here for the model league table

Click here for the manufacturer league table