Leasing the ‘Driver Power' Survey winners

General Guides 

The hardest part of the leasing process is deciding which car you're going to drive.

If you listen to the advertising then every car is the best car in the world. Obviously that's not the case.

What you need is feedback from real people who already live with a particular car and can tell you what it's actually like.

That's where the Auto Express Driver Power survey comes in handy.

Thousands of people took the time to fill out a questionnaire about their car just to make your life a little bit easier.

It covers everything from economy and reliability, equipment and comfort, all the way to handling and thrill level. If you really want to know what car to get next, the recently revealed Driver Power Top 10 cars for 2022 is a perfect place to start.

So, in reverse order…

10. SEAT Ateca - 90.679% Satisfaction

If you want value for money then the SEAT Ateca is the place to look. It's the biggest reason for its appearance in the top 10 for the second year in a row. It's not the only reason though. For an SUV the Ateca has surprisingly agile handling that has proved popular with owners. The only downside seems to be the average engine performance and ride quality, but obviously not to the extent that it's putting people off.

Check out our top SEAT Ateca deals on our website.

9. Tesla Model 3 - 90.73%

Tesla has arguably done more for the electric car than any other manufacturer. Period. Now it has moved into the top 10 of Driver Power, too, with the Model 3. In terms of luxury and performance, you know exactly what you are getting from a Tesla. Blistering quick, well equipped, and a little hint of upmarket chic. Owners do report a certain disappointment with build quality but it's clearly not enough to keep the Tesla Model 3 out of the top 10.

Check out our top Tesla Model 3 deals on our website.

8. Toyota C-HR - 90.97%

Styling, build quality, and a great driving experience. Overall, that's what the owners all praise about the Toyota C-HR. Toyota's hybrid powertrain is also highly rated for its performance and frugality. The car's unique styling appeals but does seem to restrict visibility a little in the real world. Luggage capacity, limited interior storage, and the satnav system also come in for a little criticism from some drivers.

View our top Toyota C-HR deals on our website.

7. Honda CR-V - 91.10%

An impressive rise up the charts for generation five of the Honda CR-V from 25th in last year's survey. The mid-size SUV was scored highly for its powertrain, quality, visibility, and rear-seat legroom. Owners also like the way it drives, and it actually came out top for functionality and ease of use. The infotainment system seems to be a bit of a pain for a number of people, and some running costs, such as insurance premiums, are higher than the average too.

View our top Honda CR-V deals on our website.

6. Kia Sportage - 91.23%

Kia's hugely successful mid-size crossover isn't the only Kia to appear on this list, and that should tell you all you need to know about how far the brand has come. Practicality, styling, and comfort has pushed the Kia Sportage to the brink of the top 5. The technology and servicing costs get an honourable mention, too. The overall driving experience is let down slightly by the need to work the engine quite hard when you want to get a move on though, and that obviously uses more fuel.

View our top Kia Sportage deals on our website.

5. Skoda Kodiaq - 91.52%

No other car gets a better score for practicality than the Skoda Kodiaq. Owners love its flexible seating arrangement (five or seven seats), they also rate the large boot and excellent interior storage. Reliability and overall build quality also score very highly, as does the rear legroom. The only complaints seem to be that the engines don't offer enough power for a vehicle of this size and the transmission can be a bit clunky.

Check out our top Skoda Kodiaq deals on our website.

4. Hyundai Kona - 91.90%

The Hyundai Kona has slipped a few places (it was number 1 last year) but a top four finish reinforces the fact that owners of this small SUV still absolutely love it. There's a choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric versions, and all score very highly for the way they drive. The infotainment system gets great reviews, and reliability and build quality also receive frequent mentions. The Kona's only negative point seems to be a slightly smaller boot space than you might expect.

Check out our top Hyundai Kona offers on our website.

3. Kia Rio - 92.18%

The top three begins with the Kia Rio. Kia's second car on the list stays on the podium (it placed second last year) because it's very good at everything. Build quality is good, value for money is excellent, and low running costs are delighting owners. The infotainment system and sat nav get special praise, and owners like the ride quality and surprisingly useful boot space for a car in the supermini class. As for the downside, there doesn't appear to be one.

View our top Kia Rio offers on our website.

2. Mazda CX-5 - 92.22%

It's an improvement for the Mazda CX-5 this year, with the Japanese SUV swapping places with the Kia Rio to become the 2022 runner-up. Owners are very impressed with how much car they got for their money, and they can't fault the reliability or build quality of the Mazda, either. The looks both inside and out, comfort, space (for both people and stuff), and visibility all score highly too. The CX-5 is also cheap to service, and other costs such as insurance aren't too bad, either. The only gripe seems to be the fact the fuel economy could be a bit better.

Check out our top Mazda CX-5 offers on our website.

1. Kia XCeed - 93.31%

The runaway winner this year is the Kia XCeed. The third Kia in the top 10, this compact SUV has two category wins to its name (the XCeed came out on top for its exterior, as well as for ride and handling) and no other car has better-quality bodywork, more responsive steering, or more effective brakes, according to owners. There is no area in which the Kia doesn't perform well, receiving great feedback for its interior, comfortable seats, visibility, ease of use, and overall build quality. If you're looking for a downside you're looking in the wrong place.

View our top Kia XCeed offers on our website.

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