"At this point I should draw your attention to the recently published
BBC Top Gear Magazine customer satisfaction survey. This is the largest
independent motoring survey of them all, and my God there are some boring
cars at the top."
Jeremy Clarkson
9: Suzuki
Swift Sport "I’ve been toying with giving it five stars but
won’t, for two reasons. First, it is a bit noisy, and second, it takes ages
for the engine to deliver any warm air to the cabin on a cold morning. Tiny
faults in what’s a great little car. Sure, it’s built in China, Japan, India
and Hungary so it’s not quite as British as the Mini, but for me that’s not
such a bad thing. If it is for you, why not simply buy one and paint a Union
Jack on the roof." Read
Clarkson's full review
8: Citroën
C4 "It’s not often that I’m stunned by any car, leave alone a
family hatchback. But the C4’s equipment package genuinely had me reeling in
open-mouthed disbelief. And now you’re expecting the but. The moment when
the whole pack of cartes comes crashing down. Well, sorry, but the
five-door version is elegant and the three-door is properly striking. And I
must say the 2 litre VTS coupé I drove went, handled and stopped with much
aplomb and vigour." Read
Clarkson's full review
7: Subaru
Forester "The Forester has always been built like the
countryside, and as a result it’s a virtually permanent fixture in the top
five of every customer satisfaction survey, anywhere in the world.
Apparently they never go wrong, ever. Think, then, of the new Forester as a
paddock. It started out all rough and practical but now it’s been mowed and
rolled so that it's still a paddock. But it’s as smooth and well manicured
as a croquet lawn. The perfect country car for townies - even if you do have
to change gear yourself." Read
Clarkson's full review
6: Toyota
Corolla Verso T2 "The best thing about the Corolla Verso is the
quality. There’s a robustness which you simply don’t find in any of its
rivals. This car looks like it was designed by someone who actually knows
how destructive children can be. Kids never understand that their feet are
going to be further away than they were the week before. So they break
stuff. Mine smashed a Renault Scénic to pieces the other day in about 15
minutes" Read
Clarkson's full review
5: Nissan
Qashqai 2.0 Tekna (4x4) "I sort of get the Kumquat. For all its
abilities, and there are many, the Focus is a bit boring. The Nissan isn’t.
It gives you a sense of wellbeing, a sense that while you may live in a
normal house with two normal children, at least the car you use makes you
look a little bit interesting" Read
Clarkson's full review
4: Nissan
Navara Double Cab Aventura "The Navara has a torquier diesel
engine than any of its chief rivals and a bigger load bay, which comes with
all sorts of clever mounting points to ensure stuff doesn’t roll about.
This, then, is probably the best of the bunch" Read
Clarkson's full review
3: Daihatsu
Charade : "I’m going to stick my neck out here. We often
talk about which car has the best engine. The BMW M3’s is very good but the
Ferrari 360’s V8 cannot be ignored. Nor can the VTEC motor in a Honda S2000.
Honestly, though, all things considered, as a technical tour de force you’re
hard pressed to do better than the low-friction twin-cam in this Charade. It
even makes a growly grrrrrrrr sound" Read
Clarkson's full review
2: Skoda
Fabia vRS : "You think that for £12,000 there must be
something wrong with it, and you know that telling people at parties you
have a Skoda is like telling them you have an embarrassing discharge.
Britain’s new boys will be less bothered about such things. They’ll buy this
car because it’s cheap, and as a result of that, they’re going to be tearing
around Britain’s yellow boxes and bus lanes in a genuinely very good little
car" Read
Clarkson's full review
1: Ford
Sportka SE: "Remember the old Mini and how it could always put
a smile on your face, even if you were used to a Ferrari or a Bentley? Well
the little Ka is just the same. It’s like a Pitts biplane compared with a
jumbo jet. And I know which most 747 pilots would prefer to fly. More
importantly, it can defeat the black dog. For 3,000 years man has been
trying to explain the reason we have bad moods. Now, Ford has come up with a
way to make them go away." Read
Clarkson's full review
And of course . . .
Ford
Mondeo 2.5i Titanium X : "It’s exceptionally good
looking. Colleagues in the motoring press have called it pretentious but I
disagree. I think it’s balanced, handsome and that all the trinketry is well
chosen. On looks alone, and interior space, it leaves all of its rivals
trailing. I won’t urge you to buy a Mondeo just to save an institution. It’s
your money and your choice. But I’ll be sad if you have the wherewithal and
you don’t... Verdict: the poached egg on toast of cars ". Read
Clarkson's full review
Do you drive the kind of car that motoring journalists ignore? Tell us
about your experiences in the form below.
I know the Forester, Fabia and Ka. I genuinely cannot stand tha Ka, but I really recommend the Skoda. Surprisingly spacious for the driver, this average little car makes so much financial sense. Even on the second-hand market, the Skoda stands out from these three. Quality, no thrills, reliability.
Andras, Southampton,
How on earth did Clarkson manage to drive a Swift? I'm the same height and I can't get in the damn thing. It might be safer than the old one (I had 3), it may be better built and it may have better plastic inside it but it's not a patch on it in looks (rips off the MINI...) or internal space.
Robbo, London,
RE. the Fabia vRS. In my experience, JC is right - for £12,000 there IS something wrong with it. In fact, mine had more serious things wrong with it in its first 3 years than any other car I have ever owned. In addition, the (only) local dealership was the worst I can ever remember having to do business with.
Reluctantly (because it really is a good car to drive), after 3 years I traded it in for a Jazz SE CVT - my fourth Honda, none of which has ever had a day off, apart from annual servicing. Kevin Miller is quite right - the Jazz deserves a place in this list.
An acquaintance (a "very very nice man" with a lot of experience of these things) recognised all the problems that had beset my Fabia as common faults. He, too, drives a Honda.
Steve, Cambridge, UK
I couldn't disagree more about the Suzuki Swift. I recently passed my driving test (I'm 28, tad embrassing). My instructor had a Colt which was grand fro the job (big mirrors), nothing exceptional. A few weeks before my test my instructor changed to a Swift and I've never had a worse driving experience. There was no feedback from the car, no feeling in clutch. Its was like a remote control car, all electric nothing mechanical. Was nearly enough to put me off doing the test. I did pass the test and have been driving an old focus since, which is a far better car (the old version!)
Colin , Belfast, N.Ireland
I recently bought a Suzuki Swift which I fell in love with at first sight. Couldn't be happier; roomy, nippy, high, excellent visibility,comfortable, easy peasy to drive (automatic).and looks good to boot. OK, the heater does take a while to kick in and it's a bit noisy at speed (though quiet when idling). My only complaint is the horn - it's weedy sounding, more of a squeak than a stonking honk.
terri berg, london, England
I have had Vauxhall Omegas since 1995. Purchased 'nealy new',they have been the most reliable and economical cars to run that I have ever owned, and they were the best towcars for my caravan.
Mourn the Omega-I now have a Vectra estate.
Dr Clive Feingold, Altrincham, U.K
I had an Opel (Vauxhall) Omega Estate once and it was metalic brown to add insult to injury. My workmates christened it the "Big Brown Van" because of the room inside. I've had top of the range Saabs & BMW's since and while they are better point for point than the Omega, I have never loved them like I loved that ugly old Omega.
John Mallon, Cork,, Ireland
I drive a Renault Laguna 205GT which goes like stink, handles brilliantly, is incredibly comfortable, roomy and very very well equipped. I also managed to buy it new from a Renault dealer at £6500 discount.
Ok it drinks loads of, premium unleaded only petrol, and isn't exactly cheap to insure but why have I never, not once, seen a review of it despite subscribing to two car magazines and reading loads of automotive websites regularly?
Matt, London, UK
Personally, I regard Clarkson and his "degenerate teenager" views with the same contempt that I hold for speed humps and hidden speed cameras.
I drive an exceptionally boring Toyota Avensis diesel. It never does anything exciting, such as breaking down or going out of control on corners. It struggles along at over 50 MPG and even does a good job of jump starting my neighbours BMW.
I suppose if all cars were like that, Clarkson would be stacking shelves in Tesco!
John Ball, Bristol, UK
And from what I can gather, only one or two of them available in the US. Pathetic. I just don't understand that concept, if it's good enough for the EU (as far as safety, emissions, etc), then why not for the US?
Gus, Los Angeles, USA / CA
Crikey, a Ford takes the top spot in one of Clarkson's lists. Who'd have thought it?
Gareth Peate, Oswestry, Shropshire
I couldn't agree more with Jeremy's opinion of the Charade engine. It has been donated by Daihatsu for use in the Pug 107, the Citroen C1 and the Toyota Aygo of course, so many more people can enjoy its lovely three-cylinder rumble.
Dave Moore, Christchurch, New Zealand
A Dodge van? A Volvo TD (for "tedious")? Jeremy, you're a gem.
elizabeth schumann, Paris, France
My wife drives a Honda Jazz 1.4 SE with the automatic box. The Jazz is praised for its clever design but it really needs to be acclaimed from on high. It’s a brilliant car. Small yet amazingly spacious and practical. Its rear seat folding mechanism creates a totally flat floor without having to remove head rests. Its controls are light and a joy to use. Despite being an auto it is lively and highly economical - we get 47-50mpg locally and more on a long run. It is beautifully built and totally reliable -as the Honda ads say isn't it great when things just work.
The only negative is that the ride can be jittery on poorer roads and the front seats will not suit everyone. But contrary to many reviews it is not a noisy car - on a smooth motorway at 75 it's positively serene. There may be more exciting small cars but there cannot be one that is better all round. It is probably, pound for pound, the best car in the world, a perfect fusion of form, function and fitnesses for purpose.
Kevin Miller, Penshurst, UK
My wife drives a Honda Jazz 1.4 SE CVT automatic. The Jazz is praised for its clever design but it really needs to be acclaimed from on high. It’s a brilliant car. Small yet amazingly spacious and practical. Its rear seat folding mechanism creates a totally flat floor without having to remove head rests. Its controls are light and a joy to use. Despite being an auto it is lively and highly economical - we get 47-50mpg locally and more on a long run. It is beautifully built and totally reliable -as the Honda ads say isn't it great when things just work.
The only negative is that the ride can be jittery on poorer roads and the front seats will not suit everyone. But contrary to many reviews it is not a noisy car - on a smooth motorway at 75 it's positively serene. There may be more trendy small cars but there cannot be one that is better all round. It is probably, pound for pound, the best car in the world, a perfect fusion of form, function and fitness for purpose.
Kevin Miller, Penshurst, UK