New Vauxhall Astra 

Vauxhall Combo-e Life

most-dependable-car-brands-–-and-the-ones-that-suffer-the-most-faults

Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.</p>


VAUXHALL

ASTRA

<p>We all know how awful it is to be stranded at the side of road on a wet, winter evening because your car has broken down. And if you suffer from this reguarly, you'll soon start to think about getting another car. </p>
<p>So, to help you pick something that won't let you down, we asked the owners of 14,208 cars to tell us if their vehicles had suffered from any faults in the past year. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798">Read the full What Car? reliability survey results</a></strong></h3>
<p>The best brands were virtually fault-free, while more than 44% of the worst brands had been afflicted by a problem. See our slideshow to find out which are the most &ndash; and least &ndash; dependable brands. </p>
<h3><strong>Help us to keep car buyers informed by completing the <a href="https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3914678/baa7099bfec6">2018 What Car? reliability survey</a>. Everyone who completes it is in with the chance of winning &pound;250</strong></h3>


Most dependable car brands – and the ones that suffer the most faults

<p dir="ltr">In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.</p>


LEXUS

<h3><strong>1. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 10.7%</p>
<p>This luxury brand may be expensive to buy, but it's worth it if you value dependability &ndash; only 11% of owners said their car had a fault. The <strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/ct/hatchback/review/n17309">CT 200h family car</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/is/saloon/review/n17241">IS executive saloon</a></strong> both topped their classes for reliability in the 0-3 years old category. In fact, the CT didn't have any faults, while only 12% of IS models had a problem.  </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/ct/hatchback/review/n17309">Read our full review of the Lexus CT 200h</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/is/saloon/review/n17241">Read our full review of the Lexus IS</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/lexus">Get a great deal on a Lexus</a></strong></h3>


Most dependable car brands

<p dir="ltr">Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.</p>


SUZUKI

SWIFT

<h3><strong>2. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/suzuki">Suzuki</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 16.2%</p>
<p>If you're after a dependable small hatchback or SUV, Suzuki should be on your shortlist. One of its smallest models is the Swift, which is fun to drive and virtually fault-free, and its Vitara SUV is almost as durable, too. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/review/n54">Read our full review of the Suzuki Swift</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/review/n76">Read our full review of the Suzuki Vitara</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/suzuki">Get a great deal on a Suzuki</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This budget brand builds Britain’s cheapest new car, the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means nasty, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Other Dacia models include the Logan estate and Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Dacia manages this by borrowing platforms and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.</p>


DACIA

SANDERO

<h3><strong>3. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/dacia">Dacia</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 18.6%</p>
<p>The shining star of the Dacia brand is also the UK's cheapest new car: the Sandero hatchback. According to owners of cars aged up to three years old, it suffers from with very few faults.   </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Read our full review of the Dacia Sandero</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/duster/4x4/review/n67">Read our full review of the Dacia Duster</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/dacia">Get a great deal on a Dacia</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.</p>


TOYOTA

AYGO

<h3><strong>4. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota">Toyota</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 18.9%</p>
<p>The Japanese brand's star performers are its smaller models. Owners of 0-3 year-old Aygo city cars didn't report any faults at all and less than 6% of owners of the larger Yaris told us about a problem. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/review/n56">Read our full review of the Toyota Aygo</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Read our full review of the Toyota Yaris</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/toyota">Get a great deal on a Toyota</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.</p>

<p dir="ltr">And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.</p>


HONDA

JAZZ

<h3><strong>5. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/honda">Honda</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 20.6%</p>
<p>Honda has a strong reputation for building reliable cars, so it's no surprise that owners of its Jazz hatchback told us their cars hadn't suffered from any faults. The Civic wasn't far behind, with less than 6% of owners of newer cars reporting an issue.   </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">Read our full review of the Honda Jazz</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Read our full review of the Honda Civic</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/honda">Get a great deal on a Honda</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">While Mitsubishi sells both the Mirage hatchback and the L200 pick-up truck in the UK, the core of its range is in SUVs – handy, since this is one of the largest markets worldwide.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There’s an SUV to suit everyone, too. If you’re a company car driver, the Outlander PHEV mixes low fuel bills with a spacious interior. The ASX, meanwhile, is attractively priced against key rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca. Or, if you prefer mud to asphalt, the Shogun offers genuine off-road ability.</p>

<p dir="ltr">More SUVs are on the way, too, including one that’s rumoured to bring back the ‘Evo’ name made famous in rallying.</p>


MITSUBISHI

OUTLANDER

<h3><strong>6. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mitsubishi">Mitsubishi</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 20.8%</p>
<p>Mitsubishi's <strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mitsubishi/outlander/4x4/review/n96">diesel</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mitsubishi/outlander/4x4/review/n17157">hybrid</a></strong> Outlander SUVs are complex cars, but they're almost faultlessly reliable, according to their owners. The Japanese brand's smaller models are pretty robust, too.  </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mitsubishi/outlander/4x4/review/n96">Read our full review of the Outlander diesel</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mitsubishi/outlander/4x4/review/n17157">Read our full review of the Outlander PHEV</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/mitsubishi">Get a great deal on a Mitsubishi</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.</p>


HYUNDAI

<h3><strong>7. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 20.9%</p>
<p>Korean brand Hyundai is up there with the best when it comes to durability. Less than 16% of owners of the i30 hatchback reported a fault, while the bigger Tucson fared almost as well. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n36">Read our full review of the Hyundai i30</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Read our full review of the Hyundai Tucson</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/hyundai">Get a great deal on a Hyundai</a></strong></h3>


Estate

<p dir="ltr">Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.</p>


SUBARU

<h3><strong>8. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/subaru">Subaru</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 23.2%</p>
<p>This Japanese brand is well-known for its four-wheel-drive motors and, despite their added complexity, they perform well for reliability. Owners of its SUVs only reported a small number of faults. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/xv/hatchback/review/n17311">Read our full review of the Subaru XV</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/outback/estate/review/n17295">Read our full review of the Subaru Outback</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/subaru">Get a great deal on a Subaru</a></strong></h3>


Sports

<p dir="ltr">Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.</p>

<p dir="ltr">So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.</p>


MAZDA

MX-5

<h3><strong>9. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mazda">Mazda</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 23.3%</p>
<p>Mazda used to be the epitome of reliability, and while its 2 and 3 hatchbacks are still pretty dependable, owners have reported issues with the latest MX-5. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2/hatchback/review/n95">Read our full review of the Mazda 2</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/mx-5/sports/review/n17349">Read our full review of the Mazda MX-5</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/mazda">Get a great deal on a Mazda</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.</p>


PICANTO

<h3><strong>10. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia">Kia</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 24.9%</p>
<p>Kia is another Korean brand that's building a strong reputation for affordable and durable cars across a range of classes; top performers include the Picanto hachback, Soul MPV and Sportage SUV. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Read our full review of the Kia Picanto</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Read our full review of the Kia Sportage</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/kia">Get a great deal on a Kia</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.</p>


SKODA

CITIGO

<h3><strong>11. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/skoda">Skoda</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 25.3%</p>
<p>Small cars helped Skoda stand out as a dependable choice. The Citigo was its top performer, followed by the Yeti (although that car is no longer on sale). </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/review/n10">Read our full review of the Skoda Citigo</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/yeti-outdoor/estate/review/n48">Read our full review of the Skoda Yeti</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/skoda">Get a great deal on a Skoda</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.</p>


AUDI

<h3><strong>12. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 26.7%</p>
<p>Audi tops the chart of German brands for durability, with its A3 saloon fault-free according to owners and the A3 Cabriolet faring almost as well. Some models didnt do so well, though; 31% of TT owners reported a fault with their cars. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/saloon/review/n60">Read our full review of the Audi A3 saloon</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/review/n12">Read our full review of the Audi TT</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/audi">Get a great deal on a Audi</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.</p>


FORD

KUGA

<h3><strong>13. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 27.0%</p>
<p>Ford isn't only the most popular brand in the UK, it's also a robust one. The B-Max and C-Max topped the MPV chart for durability and the Kuga claimed number two in the small SUV table. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/b-max/hatchback/review/n17227">Read our full review of the Ford B-Max</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/c-max/mpv/review/n17147">Read our full review of the Ford C-Max</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/review/n57">Read our full review of the Ford Kuga</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/ford/">Get a great deal on a Ford</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.</p>

<p dir="ltr">BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.</p>

<p dir="ltr">All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.</p>


<h3><strong>14. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 29.0%</p>
<p>Sitting a little behind Audi is our second German brand, BMW. Its standout performers were the i3 electric car and 2 Series Coup&eacute; and Convertible. The 5 Series didn't fare so well; 34% of cars had problems across a wide range of areas. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i3/hatchback/review/n14">Read our full review of the BMW i3</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series/sports/review/n126">Read our full review of the BMW 2 Series Convertible</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/bmw">Get a great deal on a BMW</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.</p>


PORSCHE

BOXSTER

<h3><strong>15. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/porsche">Porsche</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 29.8%</p>
<p>Porsche has a mid-table ranking for the percentage of faults reported. The Boxster is a fairly strong performer, with owners only reporting a small number of faults that affected the engine and associated electrics. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/boxster/sports/review/n27">Read our full review of the Porsche Boxster</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/porsche">Get a great deal on a Porsche</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.</p>

<p>Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.</p>


FIAT

PANDA

<h3><strong>16. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/fiat">Fiat</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 30.5%</p>
<p>More than 30% of owners reported a fault with their Fiat cars. Pandas suffered from engine and suspension troubles, while electrical gremlins bugged the 500X. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/panda/hatchback/review/n128">Read our full review of the Fiat Panda</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500x/estate/review/n80">Read our full review of the Fiat 500X</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/fiat">Get a great deal on a Fiat</a></strong></h3>


Saloon

<p dir="ltr">Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.</p>


MERCEDES-BENZ

E CLASS

<h3><strong>17. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes-Benz</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 30.8%</p>
<p>Owners of Mercedes models reported more faults than those of its rival German brands. More than 20% of E-Class owners reported issues; the most common related to the electrical system. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">Read our full review of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/Mercedes-Benz/">Get a great deal on a Mercedes-Benz</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive and has performed very well in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, while the closely related Stelvio competes in the booming SUV class.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Smaller and larger SUVs are planned, as is a two-door coupé version of the Giulia that will take on the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé.</p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.</p>


ALFA ROMEO

GIULIETTA

<h3><strong>18. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/alfa-romeo">Alfa Romeo</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 31.9%</p>
<p>Alfa Romeo doesn't have a great reputation for building robust cars. That said, owners of newer vehicles told us their cars were relatively fault-free, with the problems appearing to get worst as the cars age. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/giulietta/hatchback/review/n23">Read our full review of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/alfa-romeo">Get a great deal on an Alfa Romeo</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.</p>

<p dir="ltr">But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.</p>


SEAT

LEON

<h3><strong>19. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seat</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 32.4%</p>
<p>Seat's larger hatchback, the Leon, wasn't afflicted by too many faults according to owners, but its smaller brother, the Ibiza, didn't prove as sturdy. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Read our full review of the Seat Ibiza</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Read our full review of the Seat Leon</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/seat">Get a great deal on a Seat</a></strong></h3>


INSIGNIA

<h3><strong>20. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 32.6%</p>
<p>Vauxhall cars had 5% more faults than Ford ones, according to our respondents. That said, the Insignia didn't have a huge amount of faults and most were minor issues. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/insignia/estate/used-review/n689">Read our full review of the Vauxhall Insignia</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/vauxhall">Get a great deal on a Vauxhall</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.</p>


MINI

HATCHBACK

<h3><strong>21. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mini">Mini</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 32.8%</p>
<p>Mini models may look great, but they're not as sturdy as the cars made by parent company BMW. The strongest performer in the 0-3 year-old category was the petrol Mini hatchback, followed by the Countryman small SUV. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/review/n17350">Read our full review of the Mini hatchback</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/review/n71">Read our full review of the Mini Countryman</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/mini">Get a great deal on a Mini</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.</p>


VOLKSWAGEN

POLO

<h3><strong>22. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 33.6%</p>
<p>Owners reported faults on 20% of Polo and Touran models. The Up city car didn't do as well, with 29% of cars suffering from problems. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Read our full review of the Volkswagen Polo</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">Read our full review of the Volkswagen Touran</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/volkswagen">Get a great deal on a Volkswagen</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.</p>


JAGUAR

<h3><strong>23. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/jaguar">Jaguar</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 34.3%</p>
<p>Jaguar's XE executive saloon had a lot of faults &ndash; owners of 44% of cars told us about problems. Its bigger brother, the XF, performed much better, with only 20% of cars reporting an issue. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Read our full review of the Jaguar XF</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Read our full review of the Jaguar XE</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/jaguar">Get a great deal on a Jaguar</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.</p>


PEUGEOT

<h3><strong>24. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot">Peugeot</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 34.8%</p>
<p>Some Peugeot models only had a small percentage of faults&ndash;- the 2008 put in a sterling performance &ndash; but the 308 was plagued by far more issues, relegating it to the bottom end of the family car league. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/308/hatchback/review/n17380">Read our full review of the Peugeot 308</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/peugeot">Get a great deal on a Peugeot</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.</p>

<p dir="ltr">After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.</p>

<p>The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.</p>


VOLVO

<h3><strong>25. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volvo">Volvo</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 36.8%</p>
<p>Almost half of the V40s we were told about had a fault, with the most commonly affected areas being the engine and exhaust system. Even more (52%) of XC90 owners had problems, mostly with non-engine electrics. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/v40/hatchback/review/n21">Read our full review of the Volvo V40</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Read our full review of the Volvo XC90</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/volvo">Get a great deal on a Volvo</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.</p>

<p dir="ltr">From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.</p>

<p dir="ltr">To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.</p>

<p>With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.</p>


RENAULT

KADJAR

<h3><strong>26. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 38.1%</p>
<p>According to owners, some Renault models had few faults &ndash; in particular, petrol versions of the Clio fared well. The worst of the French brand's small SUVs was the Captur &ndash; owners of newer petrol-engined cars reported a range of problems. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Read our full review of the Renault Clio</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/review/n20">Read our full review of the Renault Captur</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/renault">Get a great deal on a Renault</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.</p>


NISSAN

PULSAR

<h3><strong>27. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/nissan">Nissan</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 38.4%</p>
<p>Electrical issues afflicted the Pulsar, with many owners reporting faulty sat-navs. Even worse was the performance of the Qashqai, with many cars suffering from a fault &ndash; batteries, bodywork and electrics topped the list of problem areas. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/pulsar/hatchback/review/n90">Read our full review of the Nissan Pulsar</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Read our full review of the Nissan Qashqai</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/nissan">Get a great deal on a Nissan</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).</p>

<p dir="ltr">The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.</p>


CITROEN

C4 PICASSO

<h3><strong>28. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen">Citro&euml;n</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 39.9%</p>
<p>Some Citro&euml;n models proved sturdy and dependable, but others did not; owners of the C4 Cactus reported few faults, while those with a C4 or Grand C4 Picasso told us about lots of issues.   </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4-cactus/hatchback/review/n17337">Read our full review of the Citro&euml;n C4 Cactus</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/grand-c4-spacetourer/mpv/review/n17341">Read our full review of the Citro&euml;n C4 Grand Picasso</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/citroen">Get a great deal on a Citro&euml;n</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.</p>


JEEP

RENEGADE

<h3><strong>29. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/jeep">Jeep</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 41.2%</p>
<p>Jeep owners are not all a happy bunch &ndash; they told us that 43% of Renegades had a fault, with the most serious problems relating to the engine, engine electrics and the braking system. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/renegade/4x4/review/n138">Read our full review of the Jeep Renegade</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/jeep">Get a great deal on a Jeep</a></strong></h3>


<p dir="ltr">Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.</p>


LAND ROVER

DISCOVERY

<h3><strong>30. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/land-rover">Land Rover</a></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Cars with faults</strong> 44.1%</p>
<p>More than 40% of Discovery Sports had a fault; the most serious area was the engine. The Range Rover Sport has an even worse reliability record, with 60% of owners reporting faults on their cars. There were Issues with the gearbox, drivetrain, engine and suspension. </p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery-sport/4x4/review/n17358">Read our full review of the Land Rover Discovery Sport</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Read our full review of the Range Rover Sport</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/land-rover">Get a great deal on a Land Rover</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798">Read the full What Car? reliability survey</a></strong></h3>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3914678/baa7099bfec6">Complete the 2018 reliability survey</a> and you could win &pound;250</strong></h3>
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We all want our cars to be dependable, but picking the best brand can be a bit of a lottery. To take the guesswork out of this, we've ranked 30 car brands according to how many faults their models suffered in the previous 12 months

Most dependable car brands – and the ones that suffer the most faults        

<p dir="ltr">A former motorsport team and independent tuning company, Abarth is now owned by Fiat and responsible for the firm’s sportiest cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In recent years, Fiat has even tried to establish Abarth as a standalone brand – in the same way that Citroën has split off its DS luxury division. However, the major difference is that DS cars look completely different from the Citroëns on which they’re based, whereas Abarths rely on bodykits and big wheels to mark them out.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Abarth 595, for example, is a beefed-up Fiat 500 hatchback, while the Abarth 124 Spider is a hotter version of its Fiat namesake.</p>


ABARTH

<p>The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.</p>

<p>There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.</p>

<p>Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.</p>


CUPRA

<p dir="ltr">DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the PSA Group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In 2018, DS stated that it planned to launch a new model every year, with all of these influenced by the French fashion industry and&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.</p>

<p dir="ltr">First to arrive (that same year) was the&nbsp;DS 7 Crossback – a large SUV that competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Then in 2019 this was followed by the smaller DS3 Crossback SUV, which is not only available&nbsp;with petrol and diesel engines, but also in fully electric E-Tense form.</p>

<p dir="ltr">More recently, DS&nbsp;unveiled its answer to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class luxury saloons. And while this DS 9 won't now go on sale until 2021, when it does arrive it will be offered with a choice of petrol, hybrid and fully electric power.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota: the premium arm of a mainstream car maker.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Infiniti’s current model range includes the Q30 hatchback, Q50 executive saloon and Q60 coupé, all of which go head to head with cars from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. There’s also the QX30, a small SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand has so far struggled to make a big impact on British buyers due to high prices, but most of the time that’s partially offset by a long list of standard equipment.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Future plans include a new range of electric vehicles and a smart petrol engine that is said to offer diesel-like fuel economy.</p>


INFINITI

<p dir="ltr">MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.</p>


MG MOTOR UK

POLESTAR

<p dir="ltr">Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.</p>

<p dir="ltr">On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.</p>


SMART

<p dir="ltr">Ssangyong has made giant strides in recent years, after it was taken over by a new owner and given a injection of investment to help its bid to become a credible car maker.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The result so far is a range of cars dominated by SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard but all of which have merits, including the amount of space and practicality they offer for the money.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The highlight in the range is currently the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It is very roomy and has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.</p>


SSANGYONG

<p dir="ltr">Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


TESLA

CORSA

Corsa-e

CROSSLAND

GRANDLAND

MOKKA

<p>Decent value, with attractive company car tax bills, but the Ford Focus is better to drive</p>


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

<p>The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;</p>

Family

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Mazda CX30

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