Buying a new car: Puma, Qashqai, Sportage among the UK's best-selling cars


Updated on 13 January 2025 | 0 Comments

What were the best-selling new cars of 2024 – and exactly how many were sold? We reveal all.

The new car market grew for the second consecutive year in 2024, official figures have revealed.

According to data from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), there were 1.95 million new registrations during the past 12 months.

Although this is an increase of 2.6% from 2023, these figures remain far below pre-Covid levels.

Interestingly, SUVs have overtaken superminis as the most popular car type.

But what were the bestsellers of 2024?

How to get a good deal when buying your next car

10 ‒ Volkswagen Polo

Around since 1975, Volkswagen Polo is a classic and comes in at number 10 on our list. Prices for a new model start at a little over £20,000.

What Car? describes it as a "good all-rounder", which is smart, roomy and fun to drive and with a strong resale value. 

Indeed, 28,981 units were sold during the year.

9 ‒ Volvo XC40

Almost half of new Volvo registrations last year were XC40s, according to the SMMT data.

The compact SUV sells for upwards of £35,000 and is a What Car? magazine former Car of the Year. 

During 2024, the SMMT recorded 30,202 new registrations.

8 ‒ MG HS

Yet another SUV on the list. The MG HS range starts from around £25,000 and ticks the box when it comes to value for money.

It also comes packed full of equipment as standard and benefits from a long warranty, according to What Car? magazine. 

Unsurprisingly, 30,207 of them sold during the past 12 months.

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7 ‒ Hyundai Tucson

The compact SUV is a very stylish offering, so there’s no real surprise to find it on the list of best-selling cars this year.

What Car? magazine praised its quality – and spacious – interior and pointed out that four tall adults would still have plenty of room.

The Tucson comes in at around £32,000 and 32,174 units were sold last year. 

6 ‒ Volkswagen Golf

There’s been a VW Golf of some description available since the early 1970s and the latest incarnation is proving very popular.

According to the latest SMMT data, 32,370 were sold in 2024.

You need around £28,000 to get your hands on a Golf.

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5 ‒ Tesla Model Y

Although the Model Y retained its position as the most popular SUV, sales fell compared with the previous year.

New registrations were down almost 9% from 2023.

Interestingly, many of these registrations took place in December, with a new batch of Model Ys entering the country at the end of the year.

With 32,862 sales last year, the Model Y will set you back over £45,000.

4 ‒ Nissan Juke

In fourth place on our list is the trailblazing Juke, which has been around in one form or another for 14 years.

It put an SUV in reach of potential buyers on a smaller budget and that ethos remains today.

Some 34,454 Jukes went to new homes in 2024.

You can get yourself behind the wheel of one for £23,500.

3 ‒ Nissan Qashqai

The first generation of Nissan’s Qashqai arrived back in early 2007, and it’s remained hugely popular.

It was also named SUV car of the year 2024 in the Company Car & Van awards, with the judges praising its practicality, safety and overall good looks.

The Qashqai range starts from a little over £30,000.

An impressive 42,418 were sold last year.

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2 ‒ Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage took second spot on the list for 2024.

The 1.6T GDi3 version of this vehicle, which will set you back around £30,000, was named Family SUV of the Year in the 2024 What Car? awards. 

Overall, 47,163 Kia Sportages were sold during 2024.

1 ‒ Ford Puma

The most popular car with buyers in 2024 was this nifty SUV from Ford, which has seen 43,340 units sold.

The 1.0 EcoBoost 155 mHEV ST-Line also won the What Car? award in 2024 for the best small SUV to drive.

The Puma range sells for approximately £26,000.

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Bag a bargain on your next car

Whether you’re going for one of these best-selling models or something a little more niche, you’re going to want to get the best possible deal. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of simple ways to save money, from doing your research on what 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.

Have your say

Do you own any of the cars on this list? Are you happy with your purchase, or perhaps you think you’re better off with a used car.

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

*This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently

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