Best car brand of 2026 revealed – and it’s not Toyota, Mercedes, Volvo, Audi or Ford

The index, published by YouGov, is a composite of impression, value, quality, reputation, satisfaction and recommend metrics to determine the top-10 list of car rankings among Britons for 2026

The top-ranked cars by Britons has been announced – and some may be pretty surprised with the results.

The index, published by data analytics and market research service YouGov this week, is a composite of impression, value, quality, reputation, satisfaction and recommend metrics. It provides a top-10 list of rankings for 2026.

YouGov Account Director Mike Oldroyd: “As the UK’s automotive landscape continues to evolve, understanding how consumers perceive and prioritise brands has never been more important.”

“Beyond measuring overall brand standing among the general population, the report also examines which manufacturers are most considered among consumers actively planning to purchase a new vehicle within the next year.”

“These forward-looking buyers represent a critical segment shaping the future of the market – influenced not only by product performance and brand trust, but also by changing expectations around technology, sustainability, affordability, and ownership experience.”

The following brand have been ranked the highest by the index:

1. Volkswagen, with a score of 26.1
2. Toyota, with a score of 24.0
3. Mercedes-Benz, with a score of 23.1
4. Volvo, with a score of 21.1
5. Audi, with a score of 21.1
6. Ford, with a score of 20.2
7. BMW, with a score of 18.4
8. Honda, with a score of 17.1
9. Porsche, with a score of 15.7
10. Bentley, with a score of 15.6

The index found that “German auto brands hold significant weight among the UK population, making up three of the top five brands”.

The top five brand performed best on the following metrics:

1. Volkswagen’s top performing metric being quality
2. Toyota’s top performing metric being impression
3. Mercedes-Benz’s top performing metric being quality