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Best-selling cars UK 2026: top 10 most popular models ranked

Demand for SUVs continues with seven making the top 10 best-sellers so far in 2026, headed overall by the Ford Puma.

Written by: Keith WR Jones Last updated: 7th May 2026

Britain's best-selling car for the past three years – retains the top-spot for 2026's first four months of registrations, placing it ahead of the Kia Sportage and the Jaecoo 7, according to the most recent official registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

April is traditionally a quieter month following March's new registration plate introduction, yet for 2026 the increase was 24.0% over the same period last year is a welcome boost for the industry. A total of 149,247 models were added to the DVLA's databse during April.

A significant milestone was also passed for electric vehicles in April 2026 with confirmation that 2 million of them have now been registered. The Renault 5 E-Tech proved to be the month's best-selling EV, although it didn't record a sufficient number to make the overall top 10.

That seven of 2026's 10 best-sellers to date are SUVs is only a slight surprise – for months there have been eight. They remain in high demand by car buyers who appreciate their elevated seating positions and additional practicality. Whether there's also a belief that they're more adept at dealing with the nation's pot-holed roads is surely worthy of academic study.

In terms of brand performance, Volkswagen remain at the top of the rankings, ahead of Kia with BMW grabbing third spot from Ford. It's not all great news for more established brands, though – the combined number of registrations for Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda so far in 2026 would give it second position if the Chinese newcomers were sold under a single brand name.

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2026's best-selling cars

1. Ford Puma: 20,339 registered so far in 2026

It's worth noting that the Ford Puma got off to a disappointing sales campaign last year, yet ended up as the best-seller, so that it's only topped the monthly charts twice in the first four months of 2026 won't be ringing too many alarm bells. It's still the UK's most popular small SUV, so it isn't as though demand has dried-up.

Blessed with excellent handling and a huge boot, the Ford Puma is both fun to drive and practical for younger families. Its range of mild hybrid 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines perfectly suit the Puma's sportiness, while its comfortable cabin makes it great for urban jaunts and longer motorway trips.

It's also available in fully electric guise as the Ford Puma Gen-E. Although it appears very similar to the combustion-engined versions from the outside, the Gen-E is differentiated by its blanked-off, body-coloured front grille, mimicking that of the larger Ford Mustang Mach-E.

2. Kia Sportage: 17,835 registered so far in 2026

A distinctive looking, family-sized SUV, the Kia Sportage is arguably less boldly styled than the Hyundai Tucson it shares its underpinnings and engines with. It's no longer a budget buy, with a starting price north of £30,000, but you get masses of kit for your money, backed by Kia's seven-year warranty.

Mild, self-charging and plug-in petrol hybrids are available but there's no diesel alternative these days. The facelifted Kia Sportage has been on sale since summer 2025 — expect to see plenty more of those refreshed models on the road during 2026.

3. Jaecoo 7: 17,668 registered so far in 2026

Jaecoo 7 static front three-quarter

If you're surprised to see the Jaecoo 7 in the top 10 best-sellers list then you should have been paying closer attention to its popularity last year. Despite only reaching UK showrooms at the start of 2025, the Jaecoo 7 spent much of the latter half of the year burrowing its way into the UK's most popular cars. Nevertheless, that it was the most popular car in the first full month of 26-plate registrations was a warning shot to more established manufacturers.

Naysayers may be keen to dismiss it as the Temu Range Rover, but self-evidently the Jaecoo's pastiche styling and extraordinary value for money are attractions which are difficult to ignore. A little over £30,000 gets you behind the wheel of the petrol-powered 7, while £5k more nets you the fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid alternative – both represent a lot of car and equipment for the money.

As the brand's line-up has already expanded down the pricing scale, don't be surprised if the smaller – and better – Jaecoo 5 also appears in the top 10 during 2026.

4. Nissan Qashqai: 15,669 registered so far in 2026

A 2024 makeover for the best-selling British-built car reinvigorated the Nissan Qashqai, keeping it looking fresh-faced in the company of newer rivals. Further enhancements came along last year, with an uprated version of its clever e-Power self-charging hybrid, which maximises its electric drive potential, making it a cost-effective plug-in hybrid alternative.

Other engine choices for this highly effective family SUV include mild hybrid petrols, but diesels are no longer part of the Qashqai portfolio.

Why has it been a popular choice for so long? The Nissan's highlights include its comfortable, good quality interior which is packed with equipment and peppered with practical touches, complemented by an enormous boot.

5. Vauxhall Corsa: 12,788 registered so far in 2026

After enjoying a strong 2025 it's more of the same for the Vauxhall Corsa. Its place as the UK's best-selling non-SUV has been aided and abetted by tempting deals on its Yes specification models, which have seen a surge of buyers tempted to go battery-powered as the Vauxhall Corsa Electric becomes a value for money proposition.

Despite several manufacturers abandoning the small hatchback market, many customers still want new models of similar dimensions to what they're trading in, allowing various Stellantis brands to capitalise on the opportunity. With the Ford Fiesta consigned to the annals of history – for now, at least – the Corsa could be picking up Blue Oval loyalists coming to the end of their PCP deals for a year or two more yet. 

6. Volkswagen Golf: 12,021 registered so far in 2026

Comfort, solidity and fine handling are long-standing Volkswagen Golf hallmarks, qualities amplified further thanks to its 2024 facelift, which introduced a suite of interior improvements that have largely banished our previous gripes about this VW.

Available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, in addition to mild and plug-in hybrid options, VW's most popular model is now only available as a hatchback — UK sales of the even roomier Volkswagen Golf Estate ended during 2025.

Underneath its bodywork, the Golf continues to share hardware with the better-value SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia as well as the pricier Audi A3 and Cupra Leon.

7. Volvo XC40: 11,360 registered so far in 2026

Volvo XC40

Normally when a car's at the wintry end of autumn in its production run, sales tend to tail-off dramatically, but that's not the case with the popular Volvo XC40.

Today's line-up isn't as comprehensive as it used to be for the chunky SUV, restricted to just two mild hybrid-assisted petrols and only front-wheel drive. A fully electric version remains on sale, but it's now badged Volvo EX40, therefore its sales aren't figured into the XC40's tally any more.

Safe, well equipped and decent value, sales appear set to continue defy its age for a while yet.

8. MG HS: 11,293 registered so far in 2026

MG HS

Following a positive jump in sales from the middle of 2025, the second-generation MG HS has continued to win buyers over with its combination of excellent value for money and high levels of standard equipment. So far it's also out-selling its similarly sized electric MG S5 EV sibling.

Like its predecessor, the MG HS is available in petrol-only and fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid guises, the latter appealing to those who don't yet feel ready to go fully electric. Further expansion of the line-up last year saw the choice broadening with the arrival of the self-charging hybrid version.

9. MINI Cooper: 10,686 registered so far in 2026

MINI Cooper 3-door static front three-quarter

Due to the way the SMMT records new car registrations, there's something of a quirk regarding the MINI Cooper. The lion's share of sales went the way of the petrol-powered 3- and 5-door Cooper hatch models, yet the number here includes not only the soft-top MINI Cooper Convertible, but also the otherwise unrelated MINI Cooper Electric.

Confused? Don't worry – in short, registrations of all the little MINIs are combined here. Whatever the propulsion type, all maximise driving fun over outright practicality, with prices starting at a shade over £25,000. That said, you can end up spending significantly more with higher power outputs, equipment levels and optional extras.

10. Volkswagen Tiguan: 10,252 registered so far in 2026

British buyers have a long-standing fondness for the Volkswagen Tiguan which has continued with this third-generation model. In fact, demand is so strong that it's started this year as the brand's best-selling model, outstripping the VW Golf in the process.

Spacious, well-equipped and built to a high standard, the Tiguan's a family focused SUV which can prove inexpensive to run, with a choice of efficient petrols and diesels as well as eHybrid PHEV options.

Note that the old seven-seater VW Tiguan Allspace was replaced in 2025 by the Volkswagen Tayron, so its sales figures aren't included here.

UK car sales insights

Total car registrations for April 2026 paint a bright picture overall, although sales of fully electric models continue to fall short of manufacturers' hopes according to the SMMT's data. 

While the first few months of any year are rarely reliable yardsticks from which to predict the year ahead, achieving the government-mandated 33% of all registrations being for EVs by the year-end is going to be a tall order. The SMMT's revised predictions are that by the year end only 26.8% of all new car registrations will be for EVs.

Don't be surprised if the Electric Car Grant (ECG) is made more generous during 2026 to persuade more new car buyers to make the switch. 

  • So far in 2026 some 764,101 cars have been registered, representing a welcome 9.05% increase over 2025's tally of 700,833 for the same period.
  • Petrol-engined cars continue to dominate with 44.5% of 2026's year-to-date sales although the 340,230 total represents a 1.5% fall compared with 2025's equivalent figures.
  • Electric cars have a 23.1% market share in so far in 2026 with 176,698 sales representing a substantial 22.1% increase over this time last year, doubtless influenced by rising fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
  • Self-charging hybrids have captured a 14.5% slice of the market so far with 111,083 registrations – a  chunky 8.3% rise over 2025.
  • Plug-in hybrids represented the largest market growth area in 2025 and that looks set to continue judging by 2026's numbers to date as they enjoy a 46.5% increase over last year, totting-up 99,263 sales for a 13.0% stake of the market.
  • Diesel's decline continues in the UK with an 8.4% fall in sales compared with the same period in 2025, taking just 4.8% of 2026's registrations to this point. That still represents 36,827 cars, making diesels worthwhile for those manufacturers which continue to offer them.

Which are the UK's best-selling car brands in 2026?

Volkswagen has started off 2026 in the same style as it finished last year by being the most popular car brand for the year to date, being the only one to surpass 50,000 registrations so far. All of the top 18 brands have accrued at least 20,000 registrations in 2026, with the first 26 cracking 10,000. 

There's a significant gulf between VW's top-ranking sales tally and Kia in second place, which has a narrow lead over BMW in third and fourth placed Ford.

Completing the top 10 are Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Vauxhall, a resurgent MG in eighth, Skoda and Toyota. With just four months counted, the tallies inevitably remain close at this point, with just 605 registrations between MG and Hyundai in 12th position.

Of the recently launched Chinese-origin brands, BYD appears to be performing best in 14th position for the year to date. However, Chery's suite of marques includes Jaecoo and Omoda, with a fourth brand – Lepas – joining them later this year. Combining the Chery brands' sales so far in 2026 totals 46,090 placing them in the number two spot – who's brave enough to bet against them challenging VW before the year's end?

So far the year's most significant growth over 2025's registrations are Leapmotor (up 1,121%), Alpine (a 996% increase) and XPeng (rising 880%).

There's less happy reading at the bottom of the chart. Maxus has yet to register a single new car in 2026, while Skywell has only shifted 19, proving being inexpensive doesn't guarantee sales.

Woeful tallies continue to be recorded for Stellantis's Abarth and DS marques, while Genesis's figures are dismal considering how highly we rate its model range. 

Ranking Brand Manufacturing Group  2026 Registrations to end of April
1 Volkswagen Volkswagen Group 59,878
2 Kia Hyundai Motor Company 43,538
3 BMW BMW Group 42,607
4 Ford Ford Motor Company 41,004
5 Audi Volkswagen Group 38,133
6 Mercedes Mercedes-Benz Group 35,285
7 Vauxhall Stellantis 33,729
8 MG SAIC Motor Corporation 30,675
9 Skoda Volkswagen Group 30,675
10 Toyota Toyota Motor Corporation 30,389
11 Peugeot Stellantis 30,386
12 Hyundai Hyundai Motor Company 30,278
13 Nissan Nissan Motor Corporation* 28,389
14 BYD BYD Company 26,396
15 Land Rover Tata Motors 25,313
16 Volvo Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 24,117
17 Renault Renault Group* 23,645
18 Jaecoo Chery Automobile Co. 22,789
19 MINI BMW Group 18,814
20 Cupra Volkswagen Group 15,171
21 Tesla Tesla Inc. 12,570
22 Omoda Chery Automobile Co. 12,324
23 Citroen Stellantis 12,142
24 Mazda Mazda Motor Corporation^ 11,669
25 Chery Chery Automobile Co. 10,977
26 Dacia Renault Group* 10,250
27 Suzuki Suzuki Motor Corporation^ 9,909
28 Honda Honda Motor Co. 8,506
29 Porsche Volkswagen Group 6,041
30 SEAT Volkswagen Group 5,620
31 Polestar Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 5,227
32 Lexus Toyota Motor Corporation 5,223
33 Jeep Stellantis 4,609
34 Leapmotor Zhejiang Leapmotor# 3,676
35 Geely Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 3,244
36 Fiat Stellantis 2,320
37 Other British   1,105
38 Alpine Renault Group* 1,085
39 Changan China Changan Automobile Group 969
40 Alfa Romeo Stellantis 949
41 Smart Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely 740
42 Subaru Subaru Corporation^ 709
43 KGM KG Group 671
44 Other Imports   446
45 XPeng Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors 441
46 Genesis Hyundai Motor Company 363
47 Lotus Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 299
48 Maserati Stellantis 136
49 Abarth Stellantis 129
50 GWM Great Wall Motor Company 125
51 Ineos Ineos Automotive 101
52 DS Stellantis 59
53 Chevrolet General Motors 22
54 Skywell Skyworth Group 95
55 Jaguar Tata Motors 7
56 Maxus SAIC Motor Corporation 0

*Strategic partnership within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance

^Shareholding owned by the Toyota Motor Corporation

#Shareholding owned by Stellantis

Which were the UK's best-selling cars in April 2026?

While most of April 2026's top 10 best-sellers also appear in the year-to-date equivalent rankings, there is a car making its first appearance in the most-registered cars tally – the Omoda 5. It says much that the Jaecoo 7's 10th place after topping March's registrations looks disappointing.

Also note how tight the differences are between third and fourth places as well as seventh and eighth.

  1. Ford Puma: 4,211 registrations
  2. Kia Sportage: 3,645 registrations
  3. Nissan Qashqai: 2,846 registrations
  4. Volkswagen Golf: 2,845 registrations
  5. MINI Cooper: 2,577 registrations
  6. Omoda 5: 2,308 registrations
  7. Vauxhall Corsa: 2,236 registrations
  8. Volkswagen Tiguan: 2,234 registrations
  9. MG HS: 2,146 registrations
  10. Jaecoo 7: 2,099 registrations

Which were the UK's best-selling cars in March 2026?

While much of March 2026's top 10 best-sellers also appear in the year-to-date equivalent rankings, there's no escaping the very impressive registrations tally of the Jaecoo 7. For a brand new to the UK market little over a year ago to top the first month of 26-plate sale is extraordinary.

  1. Jaecoo 7: 10,064 registrations
  2. Ford Puma: 9,193 registrations
  3. Nissan Qashqai: 8,718 registrations
  4. Kia Sportage: 7,310 registrations
  5. Vauxhall Corsa: 6,315 registrations
  6. Volvo XC40: 6,311 registrations
  7. MG HS: 6,135 registrations
  8. Volkswagen Golf: 5,890 registrations
  9. Tesla Model Y: 5,177 registrations
  10. BMW 1 Series: 4,936 registrations

Best-selling cars frequently asked questions

What are the UK's best-selling cars over the last 50 years?

Over the past 50 years the variety of brands, models, shapes and sizes of cars to have been the UK's annual-best-seller is extraordinary. Which of these cars have played a part in your motoring history?

What is the UK's best-selling car of all time?

With 4,132,294 sales to its name, the Ford Fiesta is the most popular car ever sold in the UK. Of course, that's the total number of cars badged Fiesta over seven generations across six different decades: