Best-selling cars in the UK

The Nissan Qashqai overtakes the Vauxhall Corsa, which has held the top spot for most of the year

What's hot and what's not? The SMMT's latest new car registration data reveals which cars are capturing the hearts and wallets of British buyers – and which are slipping down in the popularity stakes. 

Here, we look at the top-selling cars of 2022 so far. In 2021, the Vauxhall Corsa topped the rankings after an unusual year as the market was hit hard by the semiconductor shortage and the pandemic.

How that will influence the cars in the top 10 remains to be seen, but at the end of October, the Corsa was finally displaced by the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai. Read on to see who else has made the top 10.

*The best-selling cars of 2022*

*1 Nissan Qashqai, 33,562** cars sold so far this year*

The Qashqai is officially the UK’s best-selling car, taking the top spot from the stubborn Vauxhall Corsa. The British-built crossover appeals to buyers on our shores because of its excellent practicality, and its appeal is no doubt bolstered by the addition of electrified powertrains for this generation. The question is: can it stay at the top until the end of the year?

*2 Vauxhall Corsa, 32,126*

After almost an entire year at the top, the Corsa finally drops having been toppled by the Nissan Qashqai. It’s narrowly in second place with 32,162 units sold. The revamped Corsa supermini had a successful 2021, finishing as the UK’s best-selling car. Its success is in part due to its PSA-developed underpinnings and mix of petrol, diesel and electric powertrains. It has tightly held on to first place so far this year, and its success looks likely to continue.


*3 Ford Puma, 30,898*

Another positive month for Ford’s popular compact crossover means it stays in third place for the third consecutive month in a row. Its driving dynamics and attractive pricing are the key draws for owners, and the range has recently swollen with the addition of a plush Vignale trim and a warm-blooded ST version.

*4 Kia Sportage, 26,393*

The new Sportage stays ahead of the Mini to finish the month in fourth place. The fifth-generation SUV is once again proving a smash hit for the firm, thanks to its eye-catching design, on-trend powertrains and strong value for money.

*5 Mini 3dr/5dr, 25,756*

Despite its age, the Mini hatchback continues to be as popular as ever. It finished 2021 in third place, ahead of superminis such as the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris. With a versatile line-up of petrol, electric, convertible and John Cooper Works performance variants, the Mini can always be relied on for drivability and alluring looks. A new Mini is set to arrive in 2023.  

*6 Hyundai Tucson, 24,326*

The fourth SUV in the top ten, the Hyundai Tucson regularly appeared in the top 10 last year. It continues to state its claim to be one of the best-selling SUVs in the country and was renewed in 2021 with a new front end with a unique, eye-catching lighting set-up. 

*7 Ford Kuga, 22,824*

We’re used to the Fiesta being Ford’s second entry into the top 10, but this year it has been the larger Kuga crossover. The model is the American firm’s entry into a crowded segment currently led by the Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008. It was updated in 2020 with a softened design, a more spacious interior and economical plug-in powertrains. 

*8 Volkswagen Golf, 22,683*

Now well into its eighth generation, the Volkswagen Golf continues to contend as one of the top-selling cars in the UK. Its latest line-up features pure-ICE, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with performance models ranging from the Golf GTE to the four-wheel drive Golf R. Volkswagen has sold 22,683 of them in the UK this year so far.

*9 Kia Niro, 21,456*

The Niro stayed in ninth place in October, leapfrogged by the Volkswagen Golf. It’s still proving to be one of the best ways to dip your toe into electrification, with competent hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants and a class-leading electric one. Kia has renewed the popular crossover recently, making it slightly larger and giving it updated powertrains and a new exterior design.

*10 Tesla Model Y, 20,658*

Tesla’s influence on the UK car market continues, and the Model Y is the driving force. The SUV first went on sale in February on our shores in a long-range specification, and a rear-wheel-drive model is now available as the entry point to the range. No doubt it will greatly add to the growing number of Model Ys on our roads.