Best-selling cars in the UK

If you’re in the market for a small SUV then the Ford Puma is one of the best. It’s loosely based on the Ford Fiesta, sharing many of the same components and parts, but has a different look and rides much higher. 

Like the Ford Fiesta, it’s great fun on a country road but is also a happy motorway cruiser. If you’re after more performance, take a look at the Ford Puma ST, which shares the same 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as the Ford Fiesta ST, producing 200PS.

For practicality, the Ford Puma’s ‘megabox’ feature is one to note. It's essentially a wipe-clean 80-litre storage area hidden underneath the boot floor. This takes the total boot space of the Puma up to 456 litres.

Nissan has gone decidedly upmarket with the latest generation Nissan Qashqai and we think it’s by far the best Nissan Qashqai ever sold. Indeed, so do the UK public who bought it in droves in 2023.

The Nissan Qashqai has never been a particularly sporty family SUV (for that, you’d be better looking at rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and SEAT Ateca) but it does excel for practicality with its generous stowage areas, rear seats that fold flat, doors that open incredibly wide and extensive list of standard safety equipment, making it hit with families.

Nissan also launched the Qashqai e-Power model, an unusual hybrid which uses a petrol engine as a generator for the electric motor, providing many of the benefits of electric cars with few of the drawbacks. It's a good system and more affordable to buy than plug-in hybrids. 

Cheap to run, well-equipped and easy to drive, the Vauxhall Corsa is a great all-rounder. It’s also one of the better looking small hatchbacks, but it can’t match the fun of the Ford Fiesta or the everyday practicality of the SEAT Ibiza. So, where does it excel? That’s simple: affordability.

The Vauxhall Corsa has plenty to offer buyers who are in need of a small car that provides decent running costs, keen driving and a youthful appeal compared to the likes of the more mature Volkswagen Polo. 

All versions of the Vauxhall Corsa are generously equipped as standard, too. Even entry-level models get LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels and touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard. 

The all-new Kia Sportage went on sale at the of 2021 and is so far proving a hit with buyers. The previous model, which looks bland in comparison to the latest Sportage’s bold design, was one of the best-selling cars before it came off sale and the new model is proving just as popular. 

The Kia Sportage offers a wide choice of powertrains: conventional petrol and diesel, mild-hybrid petrol and diesel, and plug-in hybrid petrol, as well as the option of front or four-wheel drive and manual, six-speed auto or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, backed by Kia’s seven-year warranty.

The previous Kia Sportage felt spacious but the latest model adds to that as it’s 30mm longer, 1,865mm wider and 10mm taller, and its wheelbase has been extended by 10mm. The quality of the interior is just as impressive as the latest Nissan Qashqai and, like the Qashqai, the Kia Sportage is very practical. 

Tesla didn't have quite the same domination in electric car sales in the UK in 2023 as it did in 2022, with the Tesla Model 3 dropping out of the top 10. That said, the Tesla Model Y sold well over double the amount of cars as the third placed EV, the Audi Q4 e-tron and it's easy to see why the Model Y has proved so popular.

It shares many of its parts with the Tesla Model 3 and while it doesn't get the swing up 'falcon' doors of the bigger Tesla Model X, this arguably is just as desirable, helped by the recent Tesla price cut which means the Model Y now starts at around £45,000 undercutting rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1. 

As we've come to expect from Tesla, the Model Y blends performance and range with the AWD version able to cover 315 miles while delivering a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds.

Hyundai as a brand has changed beyond all recognition over the last 20 years. And if any car shows just how far it has come it's the latest Hyundai Tucson. We rank this as one of the best SUVs on the market with a high quality interior that wouldn't look out of place on a German premium car.

Well built and reliable - all Hyundai models of course come with a five year warranty - the Hyundai Tucson is a no-brainer if you want an easy-to-live-with family SUV. It's practical too with one of the largest boots in the class.

There's no longer a diesel Hyundai Tuscon, instead you can choose between petrol and hybrid power – including mild-hybrid, conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The PHEV can cover 38 miles, rivalling the Ford Kuga PHEV.

The MINI hatchback isn’t the most practical car by a long shot, but what it does offer is the fun factor that most other cars in this class are missing. The main reason for that is the MINI’s handling, which is bound to make you smile.

Strong residual values are good news if you’re buying new (and indeed used) as it's a sound investment. Fortunately, the wide range of trims and a decent standard kit list mean you can wait for the right one to come around. All the models ride well, with little in the way of wind or road noise. However, space isn’t the MINI’s strong suit so adults will struggle with the limited rear space. 

The cheapest way into a MINI is the One model with its 102PS 1.5-litre petrol engine. It’s fine around town, but we’d steer towards the Cooper with its 136PS version of the same three-cylinder 1.5-litre motor for its better performance on motorways. MINI has dropped its diesel engine offerings, though, so you’ll need to look for a used MINI if you cover a lot of miles. 

A new entry on the top 10 best-selling list for 2023, the original Nissan Juke was one of the first wave of crossover SUVs. The second-generation keeps the sporty looks and raised body, but comes with a number of improvements.

The biggest changes are inside, with more space both in the front and back, so four adults should fit inside without too much issue, though it's better as a family car, with ample space in the rear for two children to sit comfortably. There's also a good amount of boot space, while if you keep away from the base model and you get a quality infotainment system. Engine choice is pretty simple, with a single 115PS petrol engine that will be cheap to run, while the handling is pretty sorted for a small SUV.

The Audi A3 is so good at what it does that it’s no wonder it's one our favourite premium hatchbacks. It’s hard to imagine a buyer the A3 wouldn’t suit due to the superb interior, engaging performance and punchy engines. 

While a lot of buyers might favour an SUV, the Audi A3 is still a great choice for a family of four, with ample space for two adults, a pair of children and luggage (or a good amount of space for the family dog). The latest generation is also packed with tech, has a stylish cabin and a range of efficient engines. Speaking of which, even the entry-level (and popular) 35 TFSI petrol engine can hit 62mph in 8.4 seconds and still deliver upwards of 50mpg. 

The Mokka is Vauxhall's attempt to attract family buyers who want to buy into a bit of the ‘outdoor’ lifestyle. There are better small SUVs available, but the Mokka's found a bit of a following, making it into the top 10 of cars sold in 2023 with almost 30,000 sales. 

The latest Vauxhall Mokka looks fresh and modern thanks to its distinctive styling, while the interior also have a pleasing contemporary feel. You also get a good view of the road thanks to the high driving position, while there's a good amount of space in the front and back of the cabin. Don't be put off by the little 1.2-litre turbo engines available either, as they deliver plenty of punch for their size. There's also a dedicated EV version in the shape of Mokka Electric.