Toyota Triple Triumph in 2012 Driver Power Satisfaction Survey
Aygo, Prius and iQ rated best for running costs in Auto Express reader’s poll
When it comes to lasting value for money, you can’t do better than a Toyota. That’s according to the views of UK motorists who rate Aygo, iQ and Prius the top performers in terms of running costs in Auto Express’s 2012 Driver Power survey.
Not only did Toyota achieve a clean sweep of the top three positions, the second generation Prius rounded off the top five to set the seal on an emphatic success.
Toyota “clearly has a knack of keeping costs down” the survey declares in announcing the result this week, which saw the top three models all scoring more than 90 per cent. The results were based on the opinions of 29,000 motorists who took part in this year’s research.
With record high fuel prices, the real-world efficiency of Toyota engines is a crucial factor in helping keep customer budgets under control. The one-litre, three-cylinder VVT-i engine which powers Aygo and iQ has been a class-winner many times over in the International Engine of the Year Awards, while Hybrid Synergy Drive, the full hybrid powertrain featured in Prius, demonstrates how Toyota’s industry-leading advanced technologies are user-friendly and reliable, as well as being refined, clean and fuel-frugal.
For Toyota the success is also independent proof of how its strategy for designing cost effectiveness into its vehicles is working, not least in attracting lower insurance premiums and lower bills for servicing, maintenance and repair.
For example, long-life components are used where possible, and parts of the car that most often need repairing or replacing as a result of the most typical knocks and accidents in day-to-day driving are quick and simple to fit, saving on labour time and costs. Moreover, customers have the benefit of Toyota’s five-year/100,000-mile warranty protection on all new petrol and diesel models.
The lasting quality of Toyota hybrid power is reflected in the fact the second generation Prius remains a top-rated performer in the view of motorists, taking fifth place in the survey’s running costs category.
The current Prius also made an impressive debut in the overall Driver Power rankings, claiming seventh place, the full hybrid model having “proven its abilities beyond all doubt,” according to Auto Express, and scoring strongly not only in terms of running costs, but also in its ease of driving, use of technology and its reliability and build quality. Notably both generations of Prius ranked in the top 10 in the survey’s category for build quality and reliability.
Jon Williams, Managing Director Toyota GB, said: “There can be no better judges of the day-to-day value of driving a Toyota than the drivers themselves and these results demonstrate how our commitment to quality in every aspect of the cars we make and sell is delivering real benefits in terms of how much it costs our customers to run and maintain their vehicles.”
ENDS
