Last year was a positive one for the automotive industry, with the UK experiencing its best year for car sales since the pandemic.
More than 1.9 million new cars were registered – but one stood out among the rest. The Ford Puma was the best-selling car in the UK in 2023, becoming the first Ford to top the charts since the Ford Fiesta’s 12-year run ended in 2020.
It fought off stiff competition from the Nissan Qashqai, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen T-Roc to reach the summit.
A full eight months into the 2024 and the Puma still reigns supreme, topping the list ahead of its rivals - but only just. The Kia Sportage and Qashqai are hot on its heels.
So, which cars are the top 10 best-sellers in the UK so far? See the year-to-date list below, starting from January 2024 and using data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Best-selling cars in the UK in 2024
1. Ford Puma – 38,944 units
Last year's best-selling car is continuing its success in 2024. The compact crossover still impresses us – and new car buyers – with its fun driving dynamics and attractive pricing, as well as the hot Puma STT variant.
It may not be the Fiesta we all know and love, but it’s a good, capable alternative nonetheless. It even outsold the Ford Transit and Transit Custom vans, which is no mean feat.
The recent facelift has kept things fresh with a new grille and an improved infotainment system, too.
Read our Ford Puma review
2. Kia Sportage - 37,582 units
The Kia Sportage had a good year in 2023, finishing fourth in the UK sales charts, and it's having an even stronger showing in 2024, hovering close to the very top of the table.
Consistency is key for this family SUV, which entered its fifth generation at the tail end of 2022, sporting an eye-catching design, on-trend powertrains and compelling value for money.
Read our Kia Sportage review
3. Nissan Qashqai – 32,923 units
The Nissan Qashqai was the UK's best-seller in 2022, then it finished 2023 in second place, and it continues to appeal to buyers here with its excellent practicality.
The British-built family crossover's appeal has also no doubt been bolstered by the addition of electrified powertrains for its third generation.
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Are we buying purely on the best deals?, people could be buying a car just for transport,not particularly bothered what it looks like ( have we noticed that Battleship grey is thee colour just now?) or indeed if they like how it drives, if you knock of a sizeable discount you'll sell more, how much are punters prepared to pay these days?, or more like, can the afford to pay.
When Autocar write a new, updated article like this, why don't they start again with new comments? Its too much of a chore looking through all the old ones from previous articles.
So no exclusive EVs in the UK's YTD top 10 - and no Ford Focus despite two VAG hatchbacks and a BMW 1-Series appearing. Maybe that's why Ford is dropping it. It's interesting how the UK market is becoming mopre fragmented with lots of cars selling modest volumes rather than clear winners and losers of the past.
Nope, Focus isn't selling because the starting price for the sad as .... 1 litre is only 250 quid less than the much quicker BMW 1 series.