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

Which cars are the most popular among buyers – and do they deserve that popularity? We reveal the 10 best-selling cars of 2024 so far and what you'll expect to pay for them.

The new car market dipped in October, falling 0.6% as fewer fleets, businesses and private individuals bought new cars.  

While there were 144,288 new registrations, this was a fall of 9,241, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Year-on-year, sales of petrol vehicles were down by 14.2%, while diesel model sales declined by 20.5%. 

However, electric vehicle sales rose by 24.5%, boosted by manufacturers' subsidies and discounts. 

Here we reveal the 10 best-sellers of the year so far.

10 ‒ Volvo XC40

The popularity of the Volvo SUV model has knocked the Volkswagen T-Roc out of the top 10 best-selling cars of the year - its rival previously held the number 10 spot in July this year. 

In the first nine months of the year 24,621 units of the family-friendly Volvo were sold. 

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

9 ‒ Volkswagen Polo

Around since 1975, Volkswagen Polo is a classic and comes in at number 9 on our list. Prices for a new model start from around £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, 25,817 units have sold since the beginning of the year. 

8 ‒ MG HS

Yet another SUV on the list. The MG HS range starts from around £23,000 and certainly 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, 16,730 of them sold in the first six months of the year.

7 ‒ Audi A3

The only Audi to make the best sellers list so far this year. The stylish A3 has always been a popular option for those wanting a fun drive but one that’s suitable for families.

The starting price for the A3 – and there are obviously a number of different options available – is around £28,000.

Between January and October this year, 26,830 A3s were sold.

6 ‒ 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 RRP of the Tucson is around £30,000 and 28,115 units have been sold this year. 

5 ‒ 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, 29,427 have been sold in 2024, while it was the fourth best-seller in June with 3,463 being shifted.

You need upwards of £26,000 to get your hands on a Golf.

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4 ‒ Nissan Juke

The first Nissan 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. In fact, it was the second best-selling car in June with 3,891 sold.

So far this year, 30,548 Jukes have gone to new homes. You can get yourself behind the wheel of one for upwards of around £21,000.

3 ‒ Nissan Qashqai

The first generation of Nissan’s Qashqai arrived back in early 2007 and it’s remained hugely popular. An impressive 35,271 have been sold so far this year.

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 just under £30,000,

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2 ‒ Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is currently in second spot on our 2024 list, but it was actually the top selling car in June with 4,113 going to new owners.

The 1.6T GDi3 version of this vehicle, which will set you back around £31,000, was named Family SUV of the Year in the 2024 What Car? awards. 

In the first nine months of the year, 42,115 Kia Sportages were sold.

1 ‒ Ford Puma

The most popular car with buyers in the year to date has been this nifty SUV from Ford, which has seen 42,465 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 starts from around £25,000.

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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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