What's hot and what's not? The new car registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals all, so we've been studying the most recent figures to find out which are the best-selling cars in the UK.
The latest figures show the most popular cars for the year to date in 2023, with some retaining a market stronghold against the odds while others fight their way onto the best-sellers list for the first time.
The Nissan Qashqai finished 2022 as the UK's best-selling car after a year when the automotive industry was blighted by parts shortages and semiconductor production issues. Of the 10 most popular cars in the UK last year, six were crossovers. However, the Qashqai has slipped from the lead spot during 2023.
The top place is currently occupied by another crossover: the Ford Puma. But will the Ford do enough over the rest of 2023 to hold off the likes of the Vauxhall Corsa, Tesla Model Y and Qashqai?
Read on to see the best-selling cars in the UK so far, and how many units they have sold.
Best-selling cars in the UK of 2023 so far
1 Ford Puma – 37,312 units
The Puma is the UK’s best-selling car, as well as Ford’s best-seller on our shores (eclipsing the Transit and Transit Custom sales). The small crossover possesses impressive driving dynamics and attractive pricing, and the model range is topped by a fun-filled ST version. It may not be the Fiesta we all know and love, but it’s a good, capable alternative nonetheless.
Read our Ford Puma review
2 Nissan Qashqai – 32,582 units
The Qashqai, 2022’s top-selling model in the UK, finished the year to date in September in second place, and the British-built crossover continues to appeal to buyers here through its excellent practicality. Its appeal has no doubt been bolstered by the addition of electrified powertrains for its third generation.
Read our Nissan Qashqai review
3 Vauxhall Corsa – 30,177 units
The Vauxhall Corsa finished second to the Qashqai in 2022, despite having topped the leaderboard for 10 of the 12 months - and it remains in third place after nine months of this year. Its success is in part due to its PSA-developed underpinnings and mix of petrol, diesel and electric powertrains. A facelifted model featuring Vauxhall’s Vizor front end will arrive later this year.
Read our Vauxhall Corsa review
4 Tesla Model Y – 24,148 units
Tesla’s influence on the UK car market is ever-expanding, driven by the Model Y - the UK’s fourth most popular car in 2023 as of September. The electric crossover first went on sale last February and quickly established itself as the UK’s most popular electric car, available in long-range and rear-wheel drive specifications. January’s price cuts of up to £8000 further bolstered its appeal against more expensive rivals.
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4 Tesla Model Y – 24,148 units - isn't it 29,148?
On the subject of volume sales, it seems like every test and feature in Autocar this week concerns a vehicle no one is going to buy. I'm all for diversity, but surely this publication needs to focus a bit more on what's happening in the mainstream. Peronally I'd rather read about a new supermini or affordable EV, rather than million dollar prototypes that may never get built. But if we must have features about cars you can't buy, why not more coverage to Japanese Kei cars or contemporary kit cars?
That said the current UK top 10 is a pretty uninspiring collection...
UK year to date top 10. Puma, Corsa, Qashqai, Juke, Tucson, Sportage, Model Y, Fiesta, Mini and T-Roc
So 3 hatchbacks ( surely no mini can be counted as an SUV? ) and 7 SUVs. There's only two cars there you could describe as budget - the Fiesta and Corsa. Tucson, Sportage, Model Y? You're talking mid £35k upwards.
European year to date top 10. Sandero, T-Roc, Corsa, Clio, 208, Fiat 500, Yaris Cross, Golf, Duster, Octavia.
7 hatchbacks and 3 SUV. And look at the cars - Sandero, Duster, Corsa, Clio, 500 could be described as budget, with the Golf probably the most expensive.
To me that just sums up the UK.
7 SUV's, define an SUV.
Regarding budget I'd say it's a fair mix and it always has been. Mini starts from 22.5k, Juke from 21k, Corsa from 19k etc