The 25th edition of Driver Power is here. It is Auto Express’s biggest survey, and for the first time in a quarter-century, the data tells a clear story.
Tesla owns the top spot. Not by a huge margin, but enough to claim the crown.
The Tesla Model 3 Mk1 scored 88.55%. It beat the BMW 2 Series (88.19%) and the Vauxhall Grandland (87.77%) into the top three.
This isn’t about press releases. It’s about real owners. Thousands of them. They rated reliability, cost, fun, and frustration. The results are raw.
Why the Tesla Model 3 is the best car to own in 2026
How does an EV win against traditional rivals? Simplicity. And speed.
Owners gave the Model 3 a perfect 100% score for drivetrain smoothness. That’s rare. No other car hit that ceiling. The acceleration put it in first place. It was second for overall driving pleasure.
Range? It scored highest among all electric cars in the survey. But efficiency only ranked 14th overall. Owners want power. They seem less concerned with squeezing every mile from the battery.
The controversial touchscreen interface didn’t kill the score. In fact, the balance between physical buttons and digital controls landed third place. People get used to screens. Fast.
Quality scores jumped. Tesla was last here previously. Now it’s fifth. Reliability is third. The car is built better than the memes suggest.
Exterior styling? That’s the weak link. 34th place. Brake responsiveness was also criticized at 31st.
Charlotte Fosbury, a district nurse, drives her Model 3 up to 200 miles a night. She gets 270 miles per charge. No home charger. Just a 50kW unit 150 yards from her door. “I plug in when I get back,” she says. “It’s convenient enough.”
She likes the voice commands. “Everything’s accessible through just telling the car,” Charlotte says. “It’s very much a natural interaction.”
Does the exterior matter to her? “It looks clean. Sleek. No extra bits strapped on.”
Most owners agree on the flaws. They just don’t care as much as they used to.
The BMW 2 Series: A surprising runner-up
Second place went to a coupe. The BMW 2 Series Mk2 leaped from 10th last year to second this year.
It was less than half a percent behind Tesla.
Owners loved the interior. It won the category for quality. Materials feel expensive. The engine sound got a first-place rating. Driving pleasure? Also first.
Tech wins here too. First for infotainment user-friendliness. Second for smartphone connectivity. Second for satellite navigation.
Visibility is good. Second place. For a coupe. That’s surprising.
But it’s not for families. Child-friendly features ranked 28th. Exterior styling came in at 33rd.
Kerry Stevens bought the 2 Series for looks. Portimao Blue caught her eye. “It looked beautiful,” she says.
She’s a paramedic. A self-described technophobe. Yet she finds the infotainment easy. She likes the ambient lighting. “You can change the colour of the inside.”
Handling is tight. Even in normal mode. The seats support you. It’s small but not tiny. A sports car that feels premium inside.
If you hate kids’ car seats or awkward angles, look away. If you want to drive and feel like you’re in a luxury box, the 2 Series delivers.
Vauxhall Grandland: Value over vanity
Third place: Vauxhall Grandland Mk2. Score: 87.77%.
It didn’t win a single category. It won several runner-up spots. That’s enough to climb high.
Practicality is king here. Second for interior overall. Second for child-friendly features. Fourth for boot space.
Running costs are low. Second place overall. Servicing is cheap. Fuel consumption is average at 12th.
Electric owners are unhappy. The real-world range falls short of official claims. This hurts the score.
Acceleration? 33rd place. The Grandland doesn’t thrill. It hauls. It carries. It doesn’t break your bank.
Bob Peacock chose the Grandland Ultimate. He wanted high specs without hitting the £40k luxury car tax. He came from Mercedes. He expected disappointment. He got comfort instead.
“The GS seats are really comfortable,” Bob says. His granddaughter fits in the back. Her legs don’t hit the front seats anymore.
Cameras help. The top-down view makes tight driveways manageable. Adaptive cruise control gives him confidence on long trips. Weston-Super-Mare to Exeter? No stress.
Safety features ranked third.
The Grandland is a compromise car that works. You don’t buy it for joy. You buy it for peace of mind. And low bills.
Ford Kuga: Practical but flawed
Fourth place: Ford Kuga Mk3. Score: 87.30%.
It held its spot from 2025. Scores are solid. But there are holes.
Exterior styling: 27th. Interior quality: 34th. Running costs: 27th. Ride quality: 33rd.
That’s four areas below average. Owners notice the ride. It’s harsh. The interior feels dated compared to rivals.
But the practicality wins. First for seating flexibility. Third for rear legroom. Fifth for boot space.
Child-friendly features ranked eighth. That’s decent for a family SUV.
Mike Simmons uses his Kuga to tow and transport tools. He repairs washing machines. He needs flat load floors. “The rear seats fold completely flat,” he says. “In many cars they don’t.”
Trailer Sway Control keeps the caravan stable downhill. He likes the infotainment. Apple CarPlay works. But the radio buttons are buried. “It’s not a function they think you’ll use much,” he says.
Braking is strong. Second place. Only the Mazda CX-30 is better.
Steering response is third. Driving pleasure is third.
The Kuga is a tool. It works. It doesn’t impress with looks or luxury. But it gets the job done.
Which car should you buy?
If you want technology and speed, buy the Tesla Model 3. Ignore the styling. Love the silence.
If you want a premium coupe that drives like a dream, pick the BMW 2 Series. Accept that it’s not family-friendly.
If you want value and space without breaking the bank, the Vauxhall Grandland fits. The electric range disappointment is a risk.
If you need to tow or haul tools, the Ford Kuga is reliable. The ride is stiff. The interior is average.
Driver Power 2026 shows that ownership experience matters more than spec sheets. Owners forgive flaws. They don’t forgive bad daily drives.
The Tesla won. But it’s not perfect. Nothing is.
Charlotte says it looks sleek. Kerry says her BMW feels premium. Bob says his Vauxhall is comfortable. Mike says his Ford works.
They all have reasons. Yours might be different.
Which flaw can you live with?
