Eight months into the year, the Ford Puma continues to lead as the UK's best-selling car.
Should it maintain this position until the end of 2025, it will mark its second consecutive year as the top model in the UK.
However, despite a strong start for the Puma, the broader new car market is experiencing fluctuations. The industry is still facing serious challenges, including uncertainty about government incentives.
July 2025 saw the end of two months of growth for car sales, with 140,154 units registered, representing a drop of 5% year-on-year. That said, electric car sales increased by 9.7% year-on-year, up to 29,825 units.
That number is expected to grow more rapidly in the coming months, as the government’s newly revised electric vehicle grant comes into effect. It launched this month with six cars affected, all of them from French car maker Citroen.
But which cars are currently the most popular in the UK, and can any of them get close to Ford's crossover? For the definitive list of the top 10 best-selling cars of the year to date, based on SMMT data, read on…
The best-selling car of 2024 had a slow start to this year, but its consistency has been so strong that it's been glued to the top spot since February of this year.
The Puma appeals because it's engaging to drive and attractively priced, plus it offers the option of a hot Puma ST variant.
The arrival of the electric Ford Puma Gen-E should give it an additional boost.
The Kia Sportage finished fourth in the 2024 sales charts, and we suspect the people of Seoul will be thrilled to see the SUV retain second place for the third consecutive month.
Consistency is the key to this family SUV. It entered its fifth generation at the tail end of 2022 and still looks fresh, eye-catching and modern.
Its mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains ensure a great variety for buyers, too.
The driver's crossover returns with a new design and a much-needed tech lift - is it now the best in class?
The Nissan Qashqai was the UK's best-seller in 2022, but it has since been outpaced by rivals, finishing second in 2023 and third in 2024.
That said, it's still extremely popular and continues to appeal to buyers here with its excellent practicality.
The British-built family crossover's appeal has also no doubt been bolstered by the addition of electrified powertrains for its third generation.
The sales figures for the evergreen Vauxhall Corsa have been a bit up and down of late. It was the best-seller of 2021 but failed to place in the top 10 for 2024. So Vauxhall will be happy to have it performing well again.
A 2024 facelift and keen finance offers have given the supermini a real shot in the arm, and it's deserving of what could end up being a podium finish.
Today, the Corsa offers great value for money, with strong, economical powertrains and a pretty impressive roster of digital tech.
The Nissan Juke remains a popular car among UK buyers, having finished 2024 in fourth place.
The small SUV went on sale with a brand-new design in 2020 and then a facelifted version arrived in the middle of 2023, along with hybrid power for the first time.
The Golf isn’t quite as popular as it once was, but it’s still a top pick for drivers on the hunt for a good all-round family hatchback or estate. In fact, it has been slowly creeping its way back up the charts.
The German stalwart has been kept fresh with a wide-reaching technology update, a design revamp, a more powerful GTI hot hatch and a longer-range plug-in hybrid, so it could climb higher still.
The MG HS offers nothing short of class-leading value for money.
Available with a petrol engine or a more frugal plug-in hybrid, the family crossover also comes with good levels of equipment as standard, including a 10.1in touchscreen, a 360deg parking camera and smartphone mirroring
Volkswagen's popular family SUV has long been one of its best-sellers, and it's the brand's second model on this list after the Golf.
A practical and versatile option, the Tiguan gets a wide range of powertrains, including petrols, diesels and plug-in hybrids.
Standard equipment is good too, with a reversing camera, parking sensors, wireless smartphone mirroring and dual digital screens all standard equipment.
The Peugeot 2008 continues to be a sales success for the French firm, offering style, frugal hybrid powertrains and the option to go electric.
Its generous standard equipment is decent for its circa-£28,000 list price and includes front and rear parking sensors, a 10in infotainment touchscreen and active safety braking.
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the UK’s most popular SUVs and regularly appears in the top 10.
Arguably the most premium option on the list, it's also one of the most interesting to look at, with a unique, eye-catching lighting arrangement. Its plush interior and range of electrified powertrains are attractive propositions for many Brits.
