Range Rover Evoque hybrid emerges as surprise least loved car in Which? annual car survey
The Evoque became Land Rover’s fastest selling car ever after its launch in 2011 and has counted Victoria Beckham and Jamie Oliver among its famous fans.But in the consumer champion’s annual survey of more than 60,000 motorists, the Range Rover Evoque Plug-In Hybrid (2020-) scored lowest.
It spent more time off the road for repairs than any other car (21 days on average). It costs approximately £51,000.Owners also reported issues with the car due to its electric range, size and problems sourcing spares. It received the lowest customer score of any car in Which?’s survey (57%).
An owner from Manchester said: “The car has been less than reliable, particularly in the first two years of ownership. This car has been the most frustrating that I have ever owned.”
Another owner said: “This is the second hybrid Evoque I have had. The first was plagued by electrical and other issues and ended up being replaced.” Another issue reported with the car was long waits for spare parts, with one off the road for more than 10 months. By contrast, the standard petrol or diesel Evoque had fewer faults and less time off the road (an average of 7 days which is above the overall average of 4.8 days for cars aged 0-4 years).
It earned a customer score of 73%.Jaguar Land Rover told Which? that its move to a new logistics hub had caused disruption for customers but that issues had since been resolved.
At the other end of the scale, a full hybrid car that was discontinued a decade ago emerged as the most-loved car, beating petrol, diesel and electric models. Clinching the top spot was the 2009-2015 Lexus RX Hybrid (97%), which was credited by owners for its reliability and comfort. A used model can be found for around £7,000, depending on age and condition. Which?’s survey shows that the Lexus is one of the most reliable cars that are at least 10 years old.
Just 10 cars this age achieved the full five stars in the 10-15 year reliability category of the consumer champion’s reliability survey. Only 13,466 of the Lexus RX Hybrid were sold between 2009-2015, compared with 812,333 Ford Fiestas during the same period - but it’s clear that many Lexus owners are devoted champions of the vehicle.
One owner told the consumer champion: “I bought it for reliability – and it has exceeded all my expectations.”Another owner from Shropshire told Which?: “It’s done 145,000 miles and still drives just like it was new.” However, vehicle owners and researchers did find fault with running costs of the Lexus. In Which?’s combined fuel economy test in 2009, the Lexus managed just 35mpg (miles per gallon) and just 26mpg on the motorway.
It received a much more impressive result (59mpg) when it was driven in town. The top-scoring new car was the current Honda Civic full hybrid (94%) that launched in 2022, alongside the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) (94%) that launched in 2021.When it came to other least-loved models, the Renault Zoe (2013-19), typically priced at £5,022, was the joint-lowest rated EV with 69%, alongside the Peugeot E-2008 SUV (2020-) which commonly costs £25,852.The least-loved petrol/diesel car was the 2017-2020 Vauxhall Crossland X (65%).
This can typically be found for around £6,000.Top of the consumer champion’s most-loved electric vehicle list of 2024 is the Tesla Model 3 (90%) which scooped first position by a close margin and typically sells for £39,990. It also had the most responses from owners.One owner told researchers that their Tesla was “fast, quiet, easy and smart” and added that “Autopilot is great on motorways and couldn’t live without it now.” The autopilot is not popular with all owners though and can be seen as a marmite feature.
The vehicles were driven by respondents of the consumer champion’s annual car survey. The scores given by these customers are based on a combination of how satisfied they are with their car and how likely they are to recommend it to others.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said:
“Our latest survey shows that it pays to look beyond glitzy marketing or the priciest models when researching your next car purchase.
“This year’s most-loved car is a vehicle that has been credited for its reliability and comfort - while across all categories there are examples of affordable cars that impressed owners more than flashy rivals.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
*Survey conducted online April-June 2024 of 60,448 owners, covering 71,002 cars.
Cars are ranked on their customer score for various fuel type categories- Petrol/Diesel, Plug-in Hybrid, Full Hybrid and Electric.
The customer score is based on a combination of how satisfied respondents are with their car and how likely they are to recommend it to others.
Which? surveyed 60,448 car owners who were able to answer on up to two cars that they either own or a company car registered from 2004 onward. The consumer champion carries out their reliability analysis at a car model and manufacturer level, which is split into three age groups 0-4, 5-9 and 10-15 years.The sample size for each car model or manufacturer level result is listed in a table here.
The minimum sample size for inclusion is 40. Car owners can check how their model fared for customer satisfaction by using the free tool at which.co.uk/mostlovedcars
Right of Replies:
When asked about the plug-in hybrid Evoque’s reliability issues, a JLR spokesperson told Which? last month:
“Ensuring our clients have the best possible experience of our brands is our priority; and the data tells us that vehicle quality at launch is the best it has ever been. “We understand some clients experienced delays, with their vehicles awaiting parts for repair following JLR’s transition to a new Global Parts Logistics Centre (GPLC).
Throughout this period, we increased our mobility fleet by 50% to ensure impacted clients were supported with courtesy vehicles. We have now resolved this disruption and will remain focused on providing the high levels of customer service our clients rightfully expect.”
About Which?
Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and media outlets only. Any business seeking to reproduce information in this release should contact the Which? Endorsement Scheme team at endorsementscheme@which.co.uk.