How do you measure the value of a car? A low price is one thing, but the gloss will soon wear off if you’re forever spending money on parts and repairs. Equally, a more expensive car could be rated as excellent value for money if it never goes wrong and puts a big smile on your face.
And, sure, a new car review might provide some insight into a vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses, but real-world experience is far more valuable. Which is where Auto Trader’s ‘best value’ list comes in. Using the views of 10,000 car buyers, it has created a rundown of the cost-efficiency of 10 car brands. We’ll present the results in reverse order.
10. Citroen
Once upon a time, Citroen was the world’s most innovative carmaker, before it descended into the automotive equivalent of the bargain basement bucket towards the end of the century. Today, the innovation might be lacking, but its range of cars is arguably more interesting than the supposedly premium DS Automobiles. Discuss…
9. Volvo
This will be seen as a good result for Volvo, with the Swedish brand keen to compete with the premium Germans without adopting a me-too approach to design and marketing. It’s working, because the XC90, XC60, V90 and S90 are terrific cars.
8. SEAT
SEAT is on a bit of a roll at the moment, with motoring experts hailing the new Ateca as the best thing since somebody took a knife to a loaf of bread. The new Ibiza is also a bit of hit and has the potential to steal sales from its Polo sibling and the new Fiesta. SEAT also sells the Toledo…
7. Jaguar
There will be some head-scratching going on at Jaguar Land Rover, with the latter brand near the bottom of Auto Trader’s chart. The Jaguar range is shaping up rather nicely, with products that tick both the ‘head’ and ‘heart’ boxes. If the F-Type appeals to the heart, the F-Pace can appeal to both.
6. Lexus
Such is Lexus’ reputation for reliability and excellence, a top 10 finish was almost guaranteed. The posh arm of Toyota tends to score well in customer satisfaction surveys and was recently named ‘Best Manufacturer’ in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey. In the same survey, its dealers were named the best in Britain.
5. Skoda
And so we reach the top five, where we find Skoda, which has managed to upstage Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT. The Kodiaq is arguably the most convincing new crossover of 2017, although we’re a little sad to be waving goodbye to the Yeti. Its replacement, the Karoq, has a lot to live up to.
4. Hyundai
If you’ve been paying attention, you can probably guess the top four using a process of elimination. Hyundai has always appealed to the head, but the launch of the i30 N hot hatch should add some much needed emotional qualities to the brand. Meanwhile, Hyundai offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
3. Kia
Speaking of warranties… Kia offers a seven-year warranty, but it’s worth noting that, unlike Hyundai’s five-year cover, this one is limited to 100,000 miles. Kia’s range kicks off with the £9,450 Picanto S, but extends to the £42,045 seven-seat Sorento KX-4.
2. Suzuki
Suzuki doesn’t make an expensive car – although the £22,249 Vitara S raises a few eyebrows – but this result is proof that cheap can be cheerful. There’s a ‘Ronseal’ quality to Suzuki’s range: all the cars do exactly as they promise. Even the bargain basement Celerio is well equipped and surprisingly appealing.
1. Dacia
Congratulations, Dacia, because 10,000 Auto Trader readers believe you build the best value cars in Britain. Prices start from £5,995 for the basic Sandero Access, but the majority of buyers splash the cash on some much needed ‘luxuries’. Here’s a side note: far from being worth next to nothing on the secondhand market, we couldn’t find a used Dacia for less than £2,600.
Update (August 31, 2017): Dacia says ‘we keep things simple’
Dacia has responded to news that it’s been voted the best value car brand in the UK. Dacia UK’s head, Louise O’ Sullivan, said: “The Dacia range offers UK drivers the most affordable new cars on the market and a rapidly growing number of them are drawn to the brand because we keep things simple and offer cars we know our customers want.”
It comes a day after Dacia revealed the first photos of its new Duster ahead of its reveal at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.