Toyota Prius

A number of high-profile recalls, including one for the Prius hybrid, kept Toyota in the headlines earlier this year. But don’t let that put you off. Speak to any existing owner, and the debacle hasn’t dented their faith in its products.

The brand came fourth in our Driver Power dealer standings this year, and its previous Prius was crowned Britain’s most reliable car as it stormed to ninth overall. The new model is sure to build on this, as it’s even more efficient. Its petrol-electric drivetrain delivers 70mpg-plus economy and CO2 emissions as low as 89g/km – which means free road tax and congestion charge exemption.