Expert Rating Index

Our award-winning Expert Rating Index compiles and aggregates millions of key data points to bring you the definitive rating of every new car

What is the Expert Rating Index?

I've heard people talking about it, but what is it exactly?

The Car Expert’s award-winning Expert Rating Index compiles and aggregates tens of millions of key data points on every new car (as well as a growing number of near-new used cars), including almost 16,000 new car reviews from 35 of the UK’s top motoring websites. We also factor in complete safety data from Euro NCAP, reliability data and five-year running cost information.

As of September 2024, we have almost 550 cars indexed and rated. More cars are added to the Index every week.

All this adds up to the most comprehensive analysis of expert opinion and real-world data found anywhere in the motoring world.

How our Expert Rating scores are calculated

How the Expert Rating Index can help your car buying decisions

Key numbers

How big is the Expert Rating Index?

549

cars rated

15,908

car reviews

car brands

20m

data points

Search for an Expert Rating

Manufacturer

Model

Newest cars

The latest cars added to the Expert Rating Index

Ford Capri

Expert Rating:

The Ford Capri is an electric coupé-SUV with a spacious upmarket interior and impressive pace, but can it live up to its renowned nameplate?

Citroën ë-C3

Expert Rating:

The electric Citroën ë-C3 emphasises value for money rather than technology or luxuries. It's also another way of saying it's a bit austere.

Honda Jazz

Expert Rating:

The Honda Jazz is a practical and economical small car, with more room for passengers and luggage than similarly sized rivals.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Expert Rating:

The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class improves on its predecessor in many areas, but rivals are more engaging to drive.

Dacia Spring

Expert Rating:

The Dacia Spring is drawing plenty of reviewer attention due to its unparalleled EV pricing, but its poor safety credentials are a concern.

Skoda Kodiaq

Expert Rating:

The Skoda Kodiaq has been commended for its interior space, practicality and refined engines, but it's not that exciting to drive.

Volkswagen Passat

Expert Rating:

Now in its ninth generation, the estate-only Volkswagen Passat is very practical and spacious, but reviewers criticise its fiddly infotainment.

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

Expert Rating:

The electric Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is an upmarket family car with a long battery range, excellent infotainment, and an eye-watering price tag.

Popular cars

Most popular cars in the Expert Rating Index over the last seven days

Citroën ë-C4 X

Expert Rating:

Citroën ë-C4 X is a comfortable electric family car, but it is not the strongest option in its class, particularly when it comes to range.

Peugeot 3008 (2017 to 2024)

Expert Rating:

The Peugeot 3008 SUV has received unanimously positive media reviews, as well as many awards in the UK and internationally.

Toyota RAV4

Ratings and reviews

The Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid has received generally good, if not great, reviews from the UK automotive media and ranks several points behind the best in its class.

Kia EV9

Expert Rating:

The Kia EV9 is a spacious seven-seat electric SUV and an excellent car. It takes the brand into new territory, and does so successfully.

Range Rover Evoque

Expert Rating:

The Range Rover Evoque is a very capable premium SUV with a plug-in option, but reliability issues blunt its appeal.

Honda e:Ny1

Expert Rating:

Reviewers agree that the compact Honda e:Ny1 is a solid EV choice, but strong competition and its high pricing makes it hard to recommend.

Peugeot 2008 (2013 to 2019)

Expert Rating:

The original Peugeot 2008 was an economical and spacious small SUV suited to the school run, but it offered a pretty dull driving experience.

Nissan Juke

Expert Rating:

The Nissan Juke has received widespread praise for its smoother styling compared to the divisive original, as well as being much better to drive.

Expert Ratings by brand

Every new and used car we've analysed, with more being added every week

KGM Motors (SsangYong)

Skoda Enyaq iV

Expert Rating:

The Skoda Enyaq iV is the Czech brand's first bespoke EV and an SUV attracting a lot of positive vibes from reviewers.

Kia EV6

Expert Rating:

The Kia EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric car and a very good one – but it is more expensive than the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Cupra Born

Expert Rating:

The Cupra Born is an all-electric hatchback commended for its practical interior and battery range, though reviewers find its performance underwhelming.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Expert Rating:

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is perhaps the most hotly anticipated people carrier ever, and early review scores suggest it's worth the hype.

See all electric cars

Volkswagen Polo

Expert Rating:

The Volkswagen Polo has received generally good media reviews, with praise for its high levels of build quality and general refinement.

BYD Dolphin

Expert Rating:

The electric BYD Dolphin has the interior comfort and low pricing to turn heads, but its driving dynamics have not fostered much praise.

Mazda 2 Hybrid

Expert Rating:

The Mazda 2 Hybrid is a re-badged Toyota Yaris, so it offers the same great fuel economy and safety, and same average driving dynamics.

Toyota Yaris

Expert Rating:

The fourth-generation Toyota Yaris has a clever hybrid powertrain to maximise electric power, but the interior isn't as nice as some rivals.

See all small cars

Kia EV6

Expert Rating:

The Kia EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric car and a very good one – but it is more expensive than the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Cupra Born

Expert Rating:

The Cupra Born is an all-electric hatchback commended for its practical interior and battery range, though reviewers find its performance underwhelming.

MG 4

Expert Rating:

Other electric cars are more polished, but reviewers believe the MG 4 is one of the best in its class - its unbeatable pricing is a bonus.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Expert Rating:

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is making waves with its striking design, spacious interior and impressive performance, but its poor ride comfort leaves room for improvement.

See all medium cars

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Expert Rating:

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is perhaps the most hotly anticipated people carrier ever, and early review scores suggest it's worth the hype.

BMW i5

Expert Rating:

Reviewers agree that the talented BMW i5 is one of the most well-rounded electric saloons on the market, but rivals offer more battery range.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Expert Rating:

A sophisticated tech-laden EV, the Mercedes-Benz EQS is a high-end saloon highlighted for its futuristic interior and class-leading battery range.

Volkswagen Passat

Expert Rating:

Now in its ninth generation, the estate-only Volkswagen Passat is very practical and spacious, but reviewers criticise its fiddly infotainment.

See all large cars

Kia Niro EV

Expert Rating:

The Kia Niro EV is an electric SUV with impressive on-board tech, practicality and battery range, but the price has gone up over the previous model.

BMW X1

Expert Rating:

The BMW X1 is one of the most spacious and well-equipped options in the small SUV class, but it also one of the most expensive.

BMW iX1

Expert Rating:

The BMW iX1 is an electric version of the regular X1 SUV. It offers strong performance, an excellent safety score and low running costs.

Kia Niro

Expert Rating:

Reviewers agree that the second-generation Kia Niro SUV improves on its predecessor in many areas, but it is not all that exciting to drive.

See all small SUVs

Skoda Enyaq iV

Expert Rating:

The Skoda Enyaq iV is the Czech brand's first bespoke EV and an SUV attracting a lot of positive vibes from reviewers.

Tesla Model Y

Expert Rating:

The Tesla Model Y offers similar tech and performance to the popular Model 3 with extra practicality, but the ride quality is disappointing.

Nissan Ariya

Expert Rating:

The Nissan Ariya is a capable all-rounder and a serious EV contender, but rivals have more storage space and it's by no means cheap.

Toyota bZ4X

Expert Rating:

The Toyota bZ4X SUV is a spacious and well-equipped electric all-rounder, but some of awkward design elements hinder its practicality.

See all medium SUVs

Kia EV9

Expert Rating:

The Kia EV9 is a spacious seven-seat electric SUV and an excellent car. It takes the brand into new territory, and does so successfully.

BMW iX

Expert Rating:

The BMW iX is a large all-electric SUV that is the most technologically advanced BMW to date, but its grandeur requires deep pockets.

Lexus RX

Expert Rating:

The Lexus RX is an upmarket SUV that offers and efficient and leisurely driving experience, but its rivals are more engaging to drive.

Tesla Model X

Expert Rating:

The Tesla Model X has been praised for its performance, styling and 'Falcon' wing doors, but it has been criticised for build quality compared to rivals.

See all large SUVs

Skoda Enyaq iV

Expert Rating:

The Skoda Enyaq iV is the Czech brand's first bespoke EV and an SUV attracting a lot of positive vibes from reviewers.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Expert Rating:

The Audi Q4 e-tron electric SUV offers quality, practicality and comfort, but optional extras can drive the price up very quickly.

Volvo EC40

Expert Rating:

The Volvo EC40 is a coupé-SUV that is both pleasant and potent on the move, but its price tag is too expensive for it to be a sensible choice.

Volkswagen ID.5

Expert Rating:

The Volkswagen ID.5 is a capable coupé-SUV with plenty of tech and a good battery range, but it is hard to justify over its talented rivals.

See all coupé SUVs

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Expert Rating:

Blistering speed and entertaining driving dynamics make the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 N a proper driver's car, but its pricing is rather high.

Honda Civic Type R

Expert Rating:

Like its predecessor, the latest Honda Civic Type R has been earmarked as one of the best hot hatches around, despite its hefty price tag.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Expert Rating:

Summary Few cars excite at the mention of their name...

Hyundai i20 N

Expert Rating:

Singled out at the Ford Fiesta ST's closest rival to date, the Hyundai i20 N is a very talented small hot hatch that is serious fun to drive.

See all hot hatches

BMW 4 Series Convertible

Expert Rating:

Refined, practical, well-equipped with impressive performance - the BMW 4 Series is considered a soft-top class-leader, despite its polarising looks.

Fiat 500 Electric

Expert Rating:

The new Fiat 500 Electric has been praised for its driving dynamics and interior quality, both of which are much better than the old model.

BMW M4

Expert Rating:

The new 2021 BMW M4 is incredibly powerful but equally flexible, but the front-end styling is dividing opinion among reviewers.

BMW Z4

Expert Rating:

The BMW Z4 isn't as sporty as its look suggest, but it has shown to be highly reliable and has an excellent safety rating.

See all convertibles

BMW 4 Series Coupé

Expert Rating:

The BMW 4 Series Coupé is a fine-driving two-door and scores highly with reviewers. You just need to get past that enormous grille.

BMW M4

Expert Rating:

The new 2021 BMW M4 is incredibly powerful but equally flexible, but the front-end styling is dividing opinion among reviewers.

BMW 2 Series Coupé

Expert Rating:

Fast, fun and refined inside, reviewers agree that the 2 Series Coupé is a great showcase of BMW’s abilities, though space is limited in the rear.

Rolls-Royce Spectre

Expert Rating:

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is one of the most luxurious electric cars money can buy, but its ride quality is hindered by its heavy weight.

See all coupés

Tesla Model S

Expert Rating:

The Tesla Model S has been a pioneer for electric cars, single-handedly changing the perception of EVs having poor performance and range.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Expert Rating:

Blistering speed and entertaining driving dynamics make the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 N a proper driver's car, but its pricing is rather high.

Honda Civic Type R

Expert Rating:

Like its predecessor, the latest Honda Civic Type R has been earmarked as one of the best hot hatches around, despite its hefty price tag.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Expert Rating:

Summary Few cars excite at the mention of their name...

See all performance cars

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Expert Rating:

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is perhaps the most hotly anticipated people carrier ever, and early review scores suggest it's worth the hype.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Expert Rating:

A spacious car with a quality interior, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is an interesting SUV alternative, though top-spec models are pricey.

Ford Tourneo Connect

Expert Rating:

The Ford Tourneo Connect is a safe, roomy, versatile and comfortable people carrier, but its interior leaves room for improvement.

Citroën ë-Berlingo

Expert Rating:

The Citroën ë-Berlingo is a practical electric people carrier that is peaceful to drive, but its battery range is shorter than its rivals.

See all MPVs

More new car ratings are being added to the Expert Rating Index every day and we continually update each cars whenever we get new information, so keep checking back regularly for the latest updates. In the meantime, you can check out the latest news or read up on some expert car buying advice.