The Subaru’s fuel economy is rated down the table at 55th, but other running costs are middling. A peerless first place for reliability, but only 18th for overall quality, keeps the Outback in fifth place in the category.
4. Dacia Duster Mk2 – 91.75%
Nothing can hold a candle to Dacia’s super-satisfying SUV for good value, and the model also has an impressive range of scores across the running costs category. It’s ranked by owners as fifth overall for fuel economy, ninth for servicing and 10th for ‘other costs’, such as insurance – enough for an impressive seventh position in the category.
More impressive still though, is the Duster’s second position overall for its infotainment set-up. It kicks off the category with a first place for phone connectivity, followed by fifth for user-friendly controls, sixth for the balance between physical and touchscreen controls, and ninth for the built-in sat-nav.
The next-best category scores are 19th for the engine and gearbox, helped by a 12th place for a satisfying engine sound, a 21st place for reliability, and 22nd for practicality and boot space – the boot itself ranking eighth, with a good 17th for cabin storage. The safety features and interior are the Duster’s worst results, at 55th and 53rd, with a 70th for interior quality.
3. Lexus RX Mk4 – 92.15%
The third step on the 2023 Driver Power New Car podium belongs to Lexus, and the RX SUV, which delivers top-10 finishes in an impressive five categories. Given the car’s focus on luxury, it’s perhaps surprising that the RX’s strongest performance comes in practicality, with a first-place finish. That result is based on a 14th place for boot space, plus a second position for seat versatility and two firsts for cabin storage and child-friendly features.
