BRITISH drivers are going green with hybrid and electric vehicles being voted among the best cars to own in a new survey.

The Lexus IS hybrid came out on top in this year's Driver Power poll run by motoring magazine Auto Express.

Other cars in the top ten included the Renault ZOE battery powered hatchback and the Nissan Leaf - one of four British-built models which impressed.

In the survey drivers rate their vehicles over ten categories including reliability, running costs, practicality and in-car technology.

More than 61,000 people took part, making it the nation's most in-depth study into customer's satisfaction with their cars.

Steve Fowler, the editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: "Car buyers are attracted by the low running costs of hybrid and electric cars, but Driver Power 2015 shows that the whole ownership experience for these cars is pretty enjoyable, too."

The Mk3 Lexus IS scored 93.96 per cent in the customer satisfaction poll ending the Skoda Yeti's three year run as the top model.

Three-quarters of all Lexus IS owners who responded own the eco-friendly hybrid version. The new Lexus NX, also sold in hybrid form, came sixth overall, while Lexus, was also voted the UK's favourite manufacturer.

Models made by Jaguar and MG also scored well in the poll as did the MINI.

The survey revealed that the average amount spent on a car has gone up by 12 per cent between 2013 and 2015, from £14,453 to £16,115, and that drivers are replacing their cars more frequently with those who have owned their car for less than a year rising by 13 per cent since 2013.

The top models in the Auto Express Driver Power study 2015 are:

1. Lexus IS

2. Skoda Yeti

3. Hyundai i10

4. SEAT Leon

5. Renault ZOE

6. Lexus NX

7. Jaguar XJ

8. Nissan Leaf

9. MINI

10. MG3