Currently reading: The best-selling cars in the UK: can anything catch the Ford Puma?

The compact crossover, which was crowned 2024's best-seller, leads the charts after a strong May

We're now halfway through 2025, and the Ford Puma is still holding firm as the UK's best-selling car. 

Not only is it clinging on to the top spot this year, but it also finished 2024 as the country's most popular model.

While it has been a successful start to the year for the Puma, the overall new car market is struggling slightly – but there are signs of progress. 

New car registrations increased by 1.6% year on year in May to 150,070. Plus, electric car sales continued to look healthy, increasing by 25.8% year on year to 32,738. 

But which are the top 10 best-selling cars of the year so far? Keep reading to find out, with data directly from the SMMT. 

The most popular new cars of 2025

1. Ford Puma – 21,936 units

The best-selling car of 2024 had a slow start to this year but three months of consistently strong performance pushed it back to the top spot, where it has sat since February. 

The Puma appeals because it's engaging to drive and attractively priced, plus it offers the option of a hot Puma ST variant.t

The arrival of the electric Ford Puma Gen-E should give it an additional boost. 

Read our Ford Puma review

2. Kia Sportage – 19,636 units

The Kia Sportage finished fourth in the 2024 sales charts, and we suspect the people of Seoul will be thrilled to see the SUV retain second place for the second consecutive month. 

Consistency is the key to this family SUV. It entered its fifth generation at the tail end of 2022 and still looks fresh, eye-catching and modern.

Its mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains ensure a great variety for buyers, too.

Read our Kia Sportage review

3. Nissan Qashqai – 17,077 units

The Nissan Qashqai was the UK's best-seller in 2022, but it has since been outpaced by rivals, finishing second in 2023 and third in 2024.

That said, it's still extremely popular and continues to appeal to buyers here with its excellent practicality.

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The British-built family crossover's appeal has also no doubt been bolstered by the addition of electrified powertrains for its third generation. 

Read our Nissan Qashqai review

4. Vauxhall Corsa – 16,545 units

The sales figures for the evergreen Vauxhall Corsa have been a bit up and down of late. It was the best-seller of 2021 but failed to place in the top 10 for 2024. So Vauxhall will be happy to have it performing well again.

A 2024 facelift and keen finance offers have given the supermini a real shot in the arm, and it's deserving of its place on the podium.

Today, the Corsa offers great value for money, with strong, economical powertrains and a pretty impressive roster of digital tech.

Read our Vauxhall Corsa review

5. Nissan Juke – 15,249 units

The Nissan Juke remains a popular car among UK buyers, having finished 2024 in fourth place.

The small SUV went on sale with a brand-new design in 2020 and then a facelifted version arrived in the middle of 2023, along with hybrid power for the first time.

Read our Nissan Juke review

6. Volkswagen Golf – 14,198 units

The Golf isn’t quite as popular as it once was, but it’s still a top pick for drivers on the hunt for a good all-round family hatchback or estate. In fact, it has been slowly creeping its way back up the charts.

The German stalwart has been kept fresh with a wide-reaching technology update, a design revamp, a more powerful GTI hot hatch and a longer-range plug-in hybrid, so it could climb higher still. 

Read our Volkswagen Golf review 

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7. MG ZS - 12,918 units

MG's resurgence in the UK continues to bear influence, and the success of the ZS is a testament to that. 

Updated at the end of 2024, the ZS is a well-priced crossover, available with hybrid power and a pricetag starting from just £24,995. 

It may not be the best or the most refined to drive, but the ZS is still a great practical option with a roomy second row and a spacious boot. 

Read out MG ZS review

8. Volkswagen Tiguan - 12,634 units

Volkswagen's popular family SUV has long been one of its best sellers, and it's the brand's second model on this list after the Golf. 

A practical and versatile option, the Tiguan gets a wide range of powertrains, including petrols, diesels and plug-in hybrids. 

Standard equipment is good too, with a reversing camera, parking sensors, wireless smartphone mirroring and dual digital screens all basic equipment.  

Read our Volkswagen Tiguan review

9. Volvo XC40 - 12,606 units

Despite being eight years old, the Volvo XC40 is often seen in the top 10, and now it's further securing its position ahead of the similarly premium Hyundai Tucson. 

A well-rounded model, the XC40 is a compelling SUV for buyers after something a bit more posh-feeling. Its interior is still one of the best around for technology and material quality. 

It's currently available with a choice of mild-hybrid powertrains with either 159bhp or 194bhp, which propels it on from 0-62mph in as little as 7.6sec.

An electric version is also available, badged EX40.

Read our Volvo XC40 review

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10. MG HS - 12,545 units

The MG HS offers unbeaten value for money in the family SUV class.

Available with a petrol engine or as a more frugal plug-in hybrid, the HS comes with good levels of equipment as standard, including a 10.1in touchscreen, a 360deg parking camera and smartphone mirroring as standard.

Its PHEV powertrain is the star of the show, offering 75 miles of electric-only driving. 

Read our MG HS review

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harf 6 April 2025

What's happened to Dacia? I thought we were keen buyers these days, or is that more in Europe?

Peter Cavellini 5 March 2025

Certainly the roads are full of Kia these days,must be a lot bought on finance.

Bob Cat Brian 6 March 2025
Peter Cavellini wrote:

Certainly the roads are full of Kia these days,must be a lot bought on finance.

I dont get your point, well over 90% of all cars are bought on finance.

Razor01 7 January 2025

Interesting article but it only paints a very superficial picture. Yes it's good for people to know the top 10 at macro level. But given all commercial dynamics that occurred in 2024 due to ZEV, economic headwinds, and and and, the OEMs behind these nameplates have pumped significant discounts to push volumes ie. in Motability channels, Fleets, LTR, rent-a-car, etc (& many more non-private channels). The top 10 is not a reflection of what those vehicles are. This info should not only be reserved to Business readers. 

xxxx 6 February 2025

The article is labelled top 10 sellers, it shows the top 10 sellers and reflects what gets registered numerical, a nice and simple statistic showing what cars sell the most.   It's one of the most commented articles on this website.