Top 10 best-selling cars in the UK

These are the top ten best-selling cars in the UK in 2024 – can you guess which car comes in at number one?

After a bit of a rocky time for the automotive industry post-pandemic, things have been looking up over the last couple of years.

Data gathered by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that new car registrations rose nearly 20% in 2023, and by a further 2.6% in 2024 for a total of 1,952,778 registrations.

Petrol continues to reign supreme as the go-to fuel for consumers, though new petrol car registrations have dropped from a high of 1,066,211 in 2023 to 1,019,128 in 2024 – a decrease of 4.4%.

Diesel, on the other hand?

Well, she’s not having such a good time of it. Once the go-to for commuters up and down the country, diesel registrations fell again last year from 142,434 to 123,104, or a percentage drop of 13.6%.

Meanwhile, the electric car market is still on the rise, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) all seeing an uptick in new registrations over the last year, for a total market share of 41.6%, second only behind petrol registrations at 52.2%.

In fact, full EVs have had a particularly good year, with new electric car registrations rising from 314,687 in 2023 to 381,970 in 2024 – a total increase of 21.4%.

Will we see the BEV registrations tick over into 400,000 this year?

It’s yet to be seen.

But what is clear is that the electric car revolution is here, and it’s not going anywhere. Which is really no surprise, with the 2035 petrol and diesel ban looming, and many manufacturers new and old committing to producing electric vehicles, both full and hybrid.

There’s no doubt that the people want economical and affordable new cars of both the combustion engine and electric type – but which cars are flying off the proverbial shelves, and which models have slipped down the leaderboard?

Without further ado, we present to you: the UK’s best-selling cars of 2024.

1. Ford Puma: 48,340

Once again, the Ford Puma reigns supreme, just pipping the ever-popular Sportage to take the best-selling car of the year crown.

With 49,591 registrations in 2023, and just over 48,000 last year, the Ford Puma’s popularity has declined ever so slightly.

But it’s still proven to be the UK’s number one car.

Ford relaunched the Puma name in 2019 – and what a smart move it’s proven to be for the brand. No longer the sports coupe of the early 2000s that many knew and loved, this compact crossover Puma has it all.

Good looks, spacious interior, compact enough package to make it a flexible everyday car.

We can see why it’s number one for the second year in a row.

View our best-selling Ford Puma lease deals

2. Kia Sportage: 47,163

Taking the second spot: the Kia Sportage.

After a poorer performance last year, when it came in fourth under fan favourites like the Qashqai and Corsa, the Kia Sportage has had a good year indeed, with over 10,000 more new registrations than in 2023.

It’s really been gaining some ground over the past few years, appearing on the 2021 best-selling list at number nine.

There’s no real surprise here. The Kia Sportage – especially after its most recent facelift – is a dependable car, offering good value for money and a versatile vehicle for families.

And with an impressive seven-year manufacturer warranty, it also gives you peace of mind.

Not much more you could ask for from your lease car.

View our best-selling Kia Sportage lease deals

3. Nissan Qashqai: 42,418

Dropping one spot from second to third, the Nissan Qashqai is still one of the UK’s favourite cars.

More than anything, the past few years have shown that motorists want affordable and economical cars that they can get without a massive wait.

And Nissan has provided.

It ticks all of the boxes, and remains pretty easy to get your mitts on if you need a car this side of the summer.

With its spacious interior and boot that is just crying out for a game of luggage Jenga, we would be surprised if the Qashqai ever dropped out of the top five best-selling cars in the UK.

View our best-selling Nissan Qashqai lease deals

4. Nissan Juke: 34,454

Just beaten by its larger sibling, the Nissan Juke has done very well over the last year, rising from eighth place in 2023 to take the fourth spot.

While it might not be the favourite Nissan, it’s still a best-seller for good reason.

A trailblazer since it was launched, the Juke was designed as an alternative to the hatchback for those who wanted the SUV feel without the SUV size and price tag.

And though it’s been around for some time, it’s proving ever more popular with buyers.

It’s a strong contender if you’re looking for a small SUV with a quirky look and all the mod-cons.

View our best-selling Nissan Juke lease deals

5. Tesla Model Y: 32,862

Remaining at number five, it’s the UK’s forever favourite electric car: the Tesla Model Y.

The best-selling EV in the UK for the third year in a row, the Model Y’s popularity doesn’t seem to be declining, even if new registrations are down ever so slightly from 35,889 in 2023 to 32,862 in 2024.

But then, it does have a lot more competition than it did at first launch.

And although these rivals are extremely good, and include solid EVs like the Polestar 2 and the BYD SEAL, the Model Y is still reigning supreme for good reason.

It’s stylish, it’s spacious, it’s good fun to drive – there’s not much more you could ask for from your electric car lease.

View our best-selling Tesla Model Y lease deals

6. Volkswagen Golf: 32,370

Ah, the Volkswagen Golf. Forever and always the UK’s favourite hatchback.

The hatchback to end all hatchbacks.

The hatchbackiest hatchback that ever did live.

If you look up the word ‘hatchback’ in the dictionary, you’d likely find a picture of the Volkswagen Golf sat there, looking all pretty.

We love it. You love it. The entirety of the UK loves it, apparently. And while it is only the sixth best-selling car, it is now competing against the uber-popular crossover, which continues to be the UK’s favourite style of car.

But sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics.

All hail the VW Golf.

View our best-selling Volkswagen Golf lease deals

7. Hyundai Tucson: 32,174

Dropping one spot from sixth to seventh, the Tucson is still hanging on in there against some tough competition, including slightly-more-popular rivals: the Sportage and the Qashqai.

And yes, it is another crossover SUV. Like in 2023, there’s a definite pattern to the cars that the UK loved in 2024.

The Tucson does have a lot going for it though.

It’s a winner if economical (and more affordable) driving is top of your wishlist, with the Tucson coming in PHEV and mild hybrid guises – no diesel engines around here.

You can really personalise your Tucson to your budget and your lifestyle. And, with it being a crossover SUV, it’ll keep up with family life without breaking a sweat.

The adventure awaits.

View our best-selling Hyundai Tucson lease deals

8. MG HS: 30,207

A surprise entrant in at number eight – it’s the MG HS.

Not the MG we thought might appear on this list. That accolade goes to the MG4 EV, which has steadily been growing in popularity over the course of 2024.

But apparently not as much as its MG HS stablemate.

We’re not overly surprised to see an MG appear though. The brand has become known for producing some reliable and affordable cars, and the affordable family SUV HS is no exception.

Having had a redesign, it’s better than ever, with an interior revamp and stacks of tech added. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for value over badge.

View our best-selling MG HS lease deals

9. Volvo XC40: 30,202

Like the MG HS, the Volvo XC40 is a new entrant onto the best-selling cars in the UK list, beating out competitors like the Vauxhall Mokka from 2023.

And we can see why.

Another compact crossover SUV, the Volvo XC40 has really shown the world what Volvo is capable of when it comes to sturdy, capable and safe SUVs.

The baby of the Volvo XC range, and available as both a combustion engine and electric car, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to picking your perfect XC40.

It looks good, the drive is even better, the cabin is light and airy, and the boot large enough to deal with family life without the need for swearing under your breath very quietly when you indulge in a game of ‘how do we even own this much stuff’ Tetris.

In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to see its popularity rise over the coming year.

Watch this space.

View our best-selling Volvo XC40 lease deals

10. Volkswagen Polo: 28,981

Someone has to be last.

And this year, it’s the Volkswagen Polo, seeing off the likes of the Audi A3 and MINI from last year to make it into the top ten.

What we’re seeing is that though other brands might do very well when it comes to the crossover SUV, there’s no beating out Volkswagen when it comes to the hatchback.

The Polo sits underneath the Golf as the brand’s supermini, and it really is the supermini of choice for many.

It is a shrinking market, with many of the superminis of yore – like the Ford Fiesta – disappearing from the scene almost entirely. But the VW Polo proves that actually, people do still need the smaller cars.

And we can’t see it going anywhere.

View our best-selling Volkswagen Polo lease deals