The new car market had a good year in 2023. New data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that 1.9 million new cars were sold over the year, a jump of almost 18% on the year before.
December marked 17 straight months of consecutive sales growth, having rebounded from the pandemic.
Of course, while some cars are dropping in appeal to drivers, others are particularly in demand. So according to the SMMT, which were the big sellers across the year? And what are you likely to pay for it?
10 ‒ Vauxhall Mokka
In tenth spot is the Mokka, which shifted 29,984 units in the month.
It’s a good motor too ‒ WhatCar? describes is as “a high-riding SUV for a competitive price”, including its “grunty yet frugal petrol engines”. On the downside, the boot space is mediocre, while it suffers from faster depreciation than you might see with rival SUVs.
It comes with an RRP starting at £24,660.
9 ‒ Audi A3
The WhatCar? reviewers picked out the sharp handling of the new A3, while it is also spacious enough for most. There was some criticism though of the quality of its interior, fiddly infotainment system, and Audi’s general reliability record.
Its RRP starts at £27,585, and over the year it sold 30,159 units.
8 ‒ Nissan Juke
Over the year there were 31,745 Nissan Juke units sold.
It wins praise from the WhatCar? reviewers for its excellent safety performance and smart interior, though it is a bit of a choppy ride, with a “so-so reliability record”.
Its RRP starts at £20,675.
7 ‒ MINI
The Mini is an iconic car, and that makes it hugely desirable for anyone in the market for a small motor.
But according to the WhatCar? reviewers, there’s plenty of substance to match the style too, with a great engine and classy interior. It has an RRP of £15,645.
Over the year it sold 33,385 units.
6 ‒ Hyundai Tucson
The family SUV has an RRP starting at £28,710, and wins praise from the reviewers at WhatCar? on the basis of a well-made interior and plenty of space for passengers and luggage alike.
However, the ride does apparently get “a bit choppy”at times.
Over 2023 it sold 34,469 units.
5 ‒ Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y was the fifth-highest-selling car of 2023, with a total of 35,899 units sold. In the month of December, it was the best selling car, shifting the best part of 5,000 cars.
The SUV’s price starts at £51,990, and it’s a car that earns some cracking reviews from the experts.
The WhatCar? team said it has a great range between charges, rapid acceleration and is very practical, though be warned it does have something of a choppy ride, and is a little noisy by electric car standards.
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4 ‒ Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage sold 36,135 units over the year, making it the fourth-best-selling motor of 2023.
It is described by WhatCar? as a “great all-round family SUV”, which has plenty of space in the front and back, as well as a smart interior.
When it comes to cost, the RRP starts at £26,965.
3 ‒ Vauxhall Corsa
The Corsa has long been a favourite of British motorists. In fact it is the third-biggest-selling model of the year to date, though it only managed sixth spot in December. In total 40,816 units were sold.
With an RRP starting at £17,015, it’s not the costliest motor around, while WhatCar? points out that the fact it is usually cheap to insure will also boost its appeal against other small cars.
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2 ‒ Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai was the best-selling car overall in 2022, and retained its appeal last year.
It took second spot overall, with 43,321 units sold.
According to WhatCar?, it mixes style with substance and is a real contender in the family SUV market.
It’s not cheap though, with an RRP starting at £22,875.
1 ‒ Ford Puma
The Ford Puma is a small SUV and a former car of the year in the WhatCar? Awards, boasting plenty of space for families and a cracking drive.
Little wonder then that it has won the hearts of so many drivers, taking top spot in 2023 overall.
Across the year month it sold 49,591 units, and comes with an RRP starting at £20,745.
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Save a packet on your next car
Of course, whether you’re going for one of these best-selling models or something a little more niche has caught your eye, you’re going to want to bag a bargain when it comes to actually getting your hands on the keys.
Thankfully, there are plenty of simple ways to save money when you do so, from doing your research on what really constitutes a fair price to giving haggling a go and seeing if you can get the dealer to knock a few quid off the listed price.
For more, check out our guide to buying a car for less.
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