With the new '56' number plates launched today, many drivers will be rushing to buy new cars, with some using personal loans to finance their purchase.

However, some new cars are likely to be more popular than others, as a new survey reveals.

The Porsche Boxster was voted the most popular car with drivers in a poll by Which? Car, with 98 per cent of owners of the open-top sports car prepared to recommend it to a friend.

Also highly recommended were the Mazda MX-5, described by the report as "a Porsche Boxster on a shoestring", with 95 per cent of owners prepared to recommend it, while drivers also loved the Land Rover Discovery (92 per cent) for its practicality, good design and good driving experience.

Faring less well was the Rover 25, with only 27 per cent of its owners recommending it, mainly for its generous amount of boot space.

Editor of Which? Car, Richard Headland, said: "We collected information on more than 32,000 cars this year from the people who know best the owners. We also carry out our own expert road tests and rate safety and security to give new or used car buyers straightforward, no-nonsense advice."

The report also recommends the best green cars for fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, with the Toyota Prius, Citroen C1 diesel, Toyota Aygo diesel and the bio-fuel cars from Ford and Saab making the grade.

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