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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: 4th June 2026

Britain's best-selling car for the past three years – retains the top-spot for 2026's first five 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).

May's figures are the strongest in the post-Covid 19 era with a 7.1% increase over the same month last year. It's a welcome boost for the industry that a total of 160,662 new cars were added to the DVLA's databse during May.

That seven of 2026's 10 best-sellers to date are SUVs is only slightly surprising – for much of the past couple of years there were eight. They remain in high demand by consumers 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: 24,358 registered so far in 2026

Ford Puma Gen-E static front three-quarter

Following a similar trend to last year, the Ford Puma got off to a disappointing sales campaign in 2026, only to settle in at top of the rankings and build a comfortable margin to second position. Ford's Romanian factory recently built its 1,000,000th Puma, reflecting this small SUV's popularity, although the UK is the only market where it's a best-seller.

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: 21,274 registered so far in 2026

Kia Sportage dynamic front three-quarter

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 and self-charging petrol hybrids are available but there are no diesel or plug-in hybrid versions these days. The facelifted Kia Sportage has been on sale since summer 2025, with plenty of those refreshed models being seen on the roads so far this year.

3. Jaecoo 7: 20,695 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 7 spent much of the latter half of the year burrowing its way into the UK's most popular new cars list. 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 stong 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: 18,558 registered so far in 2026

Nissan Qashqai static front three-quarter

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 to make 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: 15,863 registered so far in 2026

Vauxhall Corsa static front three-quarter

After enjoying a strong 2025 it's more of the same this year 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: 14,658 registered so far in 2026

Volkswagen Golf dynamic front three-quarter

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, yet the VW's overall appeal is self-evidently more popular.

7. Volvo XC40: 13,478 registered so far in 2026

Volvo XC40 static front three-quarter

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, maintaining its place in the top 10 and out-performing the MG HS by just three registrations.

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 available in front-wheel drive guise. The fully electric version remains on sale, although it's now badged Volvo EX40 instead of XC40 Recharge, therefore its registrations are tallied separately.

Safe, well equipped and decent value, XC40 sales appear set to continue defy its age for a while longer.

8. MG HS: 13,475 registered so far in 2026

MG HS static front three-quarter

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 EV – it's the cheapest PHEV with an electric driving range of 70 miles or over. Further expansion of the line-up last year saw the choice broadening with the arrival of the self-charging hybrid version.

9. MINI Cooper: 13,291 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 littlest MINIs are combined here. Whatever the propulsion type, each maximises driving fun over outright practicality, with prices starting at a shade under £25,000 following the introduction of the entry-level MINI Cooper One. That said, you can end up spending significantly more with higher power outputs, equipment levels and optional extras.

10. Volkswagen Tiguan: 12,647 registered so far in 2026

Volkswagen Tiguan static front three-quarter

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 initially started 2026 as the brand's best-selling model, before the VW Golf regained the initiative.

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 – the change of name means its registration figures aren't included here.

UK car sales insights

Total car registrations for May 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 924,763 cars have been registered, representing a welcome 8.7% increase over 2025's tally of 850,903 for the same period.
  • Petrol-engined cars continue to dominate with 44.0% of 2026's year-to-date sales although the 406,453 total represents a 2.5% fall compared with 2025's equivalent figures.
  • Electric cars have a 23.9% market share in so far in 2026 with 220,629 sales representing a substantial 24.3% 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 14.3% slice of the market so far with 131,802 registrations – a  chunky 7.2% 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 41.8% increase over last year, totting-up 121,430 sales for a 13.1% stake of the market.
  • Diesel's decline continues in the UK with an 7.4% fall in sales compared with the same period in 2025, taking just 4.8% of 2026's registrations to this point. That still represents 44,449 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 52,493
3 BMW BMW Group 51,110
4 Ford Ford Motor Company 47,915
5 Audi Volkswagen Group 47,231
6 Mercedes Mercedes-Benz Group 41,837
7 Vauxhall Stellantis 41,404
8 MG SAIC Motor Corporation 38,346
9 Skoda Volkswagen Group 37,296
10 Toyota Toyota Motor Corporation 36,576
11 Hyundai Hyundai Motor Company 36,355
12 Peugeot Stellantis 35,500
13 Nissan Nissan Motor Corporation* 33,221
14 BYD BYD Company 31,553
15 Land Rover Tata Motors 30,247
16 Renault Renault Group* 29,291
17 Volvo Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 29,035
18 Jaecoo Chery Automobile Co. 27,996
19 MINI BMW Group 23,965
20 Cupra Volkswagen Group 18,655
21 Tesla Tesla Inc. 15,504
22 Omoda Chery Automobile Co. 15,078
23 Citroen Stellantis 14,226
24 Chery Chery Automobile Co. 14,143
25 Mazda Mazda Motor Corporation^ 12,945
26 Dacia Renault Group* 12,298
27 Suzuki Suzuki Motor Corporation^ 11,565
28 Honda Honda Motor Co. 9,747
29 Porsche Volkswagen Group 7,580
30 SEAT Volkswagen Group 7,032
31 Polestar Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 6,532
32 Lexus Toyota Motor Corporation 6,400
33 Jeep Stellantis 5,294
34 Leapmotor Zhejiang Leapmotor# 4,620
35 Geely Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 4,378
36 Fiat Stellantis 2,926
37 Alpine Renault Group* 1,453
38 Other British   1,315
39 Changan China Changan Automobile Group 1,256
40 Alfa Romeo Stellantis 1,239
41 Smart Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely 905
42 Subaru Subaru Corporation^ 779
43 KGM KG Group 734
44 Other Imports   596
45 XPeng Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors 522
46 Genesis Hyundai Motor Company 479
47 Lotus Zhejiang Geely Holding Group 384
48 Abarth Stellantis 198
49 Maserati Stellantis 191
50 GWM Great Wall Motor Company 137
51 Ineos Ineos Automotive 117
52 DS Stellantis 68
53 Aion Guangzhou Automobile Group Co 31
54 Chevrolet General Motors 30
55 Skywell Skyworth Group 26
56 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Motors Corporation* 12
57 Jaguar Tata Motors 7
58 Maxus SAIC Motor Corporation 2

*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 May 2026?

Many of May 2026's top 10 best-sellers also appear in overall table for the year so far, albeit with a couple of exceptions.

Making a return is the Hyundai Tucson, after a few months of being on its periphery, but there is a newcomer among the most-registered cars – the Vauxhall Frontera.

Reflecting how competitive the marketplace is, just 881 registrations separate third and tenth places for the month.

  1. Ford Puma: 4,019 registrations
  2. Kia Sportage: 3,439 registrations
  3. Vauxhall Corsa: 3,075 registrations
  4. Jaecoo 7: 3,027 registrations
  5. Nissan Qashqai: 2,859 registrations
  6. Volkswagen Golf: 2,673 registrations
  7. MINI Cooper: 2,605 registrations
  8. Volkswagen Tiguan: 2,395 registrations
  9. Vauxhall Frontera: 2,372 registrations
  10. Hyundai Tucson: 2,194 registrations

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, one car made 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 looked 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

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: