However, "only the Corolla, Prius and Yaris rated above average in this survey. The Avensis was below average and the rest of Toyota's models were average".
The Honda Jazz and Toyota Corolla were top achievers in the last car reliability survey, in 2011. Those models were still well regarded but others joined the ranks in the new survey.
Satisfaction was just one component of the overall reliability score. Some models, like the Nissan Maxima, had very satisfied drivers but only "average" reliability.
Luxury car owners were among the least happy with their vehicles. BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar and Jeep drivers gave their cars some of the worst feedback. Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota drivers rated their cars highly.
The study found used imports were slightly less reliable than "New Zealand new" used cars.
Owners of four-wheel-drive cars reported more problems than their two-wheel counterparts.
Survey results also suggested diesel cars were slightly less reliable than petrol vehicles.
Feedback indicated CVT (constant velocity) transmissions - a newer type of automatic - were more reliable than conventional ones.
In-depth survey results can be found at www.consumer.org.nz/articles/car-reliability.
Top vehicles
Most satisfied drivers
Skoda
Renault
Hyundai
Honda
SsangYong
Least satisfied drivers
Jaguar
Holden
Land Rover
Mini
BMW
Would buy again
Skoda
Mazda
Toyota
Honda
Lexus
Least likely to buy again
Renault
Daihatsu
Holden
Land Rover
Peugeot
Source: Consumer NZ
