Rqs/Bigstock.com

The annual Auto Express JD Power Survey is out – and it aims to answer one simple question: what are the best cars to own in 2014?

50,000 readers took part in the survey, and were asked about reliability, comfort, running costs, handling and performance of their cars. Each car surveyed received a score out of 100.

Last year low-cost brand Skoda bagged the top two slots in the survey, but this year it dominates all three highest positions, with the Yeti remaining at 1, the Citigo taking 2 (not present last year), which in turn pushes the Superb MkII into the third spot.

The Volkswagen-owned brand is built in the Czech Republic and has enjoyed big successes under the stewardship of the German car giant, doing considerably better than the mother brand’s only entry – namely the Golf MKVII (18th). Skoda was once seen as a car that would have your car breakdown cover provider called out once too often. Today it’s held in much higher regard.

Despite only having one original brand in the list, VW is likely to be delighted with the survey, as its Audi brand also did very well, with two entries – the Q3 at 17 and the A3 MkIII at 16 – neither of which were present in last year's survey.

There were two British-built cars in the survey, namely the Jaguar XF at 15 (which dropped from its impressive third position in last year's Power Survey), and the MG6 which was designed in the UK and is assembled in Longbridge, Birmingham.

Seven cars of German origin made the top 20, including four BMWs.

Three Peugeots made the list, the only French cars making the top 20.

Here is the full list:

20. Peugeot RCZ

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2010-present

Score: 89.82 per cent

19. Volvo V40

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2012-present

Score: 89.95 per cent

 

18. Volkswagen Golf MKVII

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2012-present

Score: 89.95 per cent

 

17. Audi Q3

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2011-present

Score: 89.98 per cent

 

16. Audi A3 MkIII

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2012-present

Score: 90.47 per cent

 

15. Jaguar XF

Position last year: 3

Year: 2008-present

Score: 90.57 per cent

 

14. BMW 3-series MkVI

Position last year: 9

Year: 2012-present

Score: 90.59 per cent

 

13. Mazda CX-5

Position last year: 5

Year: 2012-present

Score: 90.60 per cent

 

12. BMW X3

Position last year: 13

Year: 2011-present

Score: 90.76 per cent

 

11. Peugeot 2008

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2013-present

Score: 90.79 per cent

 

10. Kia Cee'd

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2012-present

Score: 90.81 per cent

 

9. Renault Captur

Position last year: Didn't appear

Year: 2013-present

Score: 90.84 per cent

 

8. BMW 1-series

Position last year: 54

Year: 2011-present

Score: 90.84 per cent

 

7. Toyota Prius MKIII

Position last year: 26

Year: 2009-present

Score: 90.90 per cent

 

6. MG6

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2011-present

Score: 90.92 per cent

 

5. Kia Rio MkIII

Position last year: 17

Year: 2011-present

Score: 91.11 per cent

 

4. BMW 5-series MkVI

Position last year: 11

Year: 2010-present

Score: 91.45 per cent

 

3. Skoda Superb MkII

Position last year: 2

Year: 2008-present

Score: 91.68 per cent

 

2. Skoda Citigo

Position last year: Not present

Year: 2012-present

Score: 92.62 per cent

 

1. Skoda Yeti

Position last year: 1

Year: 2009-present

Score: 92.78 per cent