Best-selling cars 2023: Ford Puma tops list of most popular models in UK
One pure-electric car is now sold every 60 seconds
Car manufacturers are not in the business of looking back, but those that do take a rearward glance at 2023 will likely look upon it fondly. After all, official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show it was the best year for UK new car sales since 2019.
It has been a tricky few years for the industry, with the small matter of a global pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis and a semiconductor shortage all taking their toll. But 2023 was a period of recovery, and a record 17th consecutive month of year-on-year sales growth in December saw the market finish the year almost 18 per cent up on 2022.
In all, more than 1.9 million new cars were registered in the UK last year, and while that’s still 17.7 per cent down on the 2.3 million registered in 2019, it marks something of a return to form for an industry badly dented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
To a large extent, businesses have driven that growth, with company (or “fleet”) new car sales up by almost 39 per cent in 2023. With private sales remaining roughly the same as in 2022 — a reduction of fewer than 1,000 vehicles is hardly significant — the market share for fleets has grown enormously, with businesses accounting for almost 55 per cent of all new car registrations. That’s up from 46.5 per cent in 2022.
Naturally, all eyes are on sales figures for pure-electric cars (also known as “battery-electric vehicles”, or Bevs). After enjoying a 42nd consecutive month of growth in October, sales were down by more than 17 per cent in November, before falling by more than a third in December.
However, 2023 was still a record year for Bev sales, with more than 300,000 new electric vehicles registered — an increase of almost 50,000 compared with 2022.
That said, more than three quarters (77.1 per cent) of all Bevs sold in 2023 were destined for company car drivers, with just one in every 11 private buyers choosing an electric vehicle.
While the trend may have something to do with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to push back the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, the SMMT says other factors are at play.
It points out that since the decision to end the Plug-In Car Grant in June 2022, the UK is the only major European car market with no incentives for private consumers to purchase a Bev. And while tax breaks for company car drivers are clearly helping fleets transition to electric power, the car industry is calling on the government to “support private buyers” by halving VAT on Bevs for the next three years.
The organisation says the “temporary cut”, which would be a watered-down version of the measure proposed by the SMMT in November to cut VAT on Bevs to five per cent, would give private consumers “access to fiscal support at a level similar to that enjoyed by business buyers” and allow car makers to “deliver larger volumes of zero-emission vehicles.”
Whatever the future holds for electric cars, the car market is expected to continue its growth in 2024, with the SMMT predicting almost two million sales this year. But whether the mix of vehicles will mirror those seen in 2023 remains to be seen.
“With vehicle supply challenges fading, the new car market is building back with the best year since the pandemic,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“Energised by fleet investment, particularly in the latest EVs, the challenge for 2024 is to deliver a green recovery. Government has challenged the UK automotive sector with the world’s boldest transition timeline and is investing to ensure we are a major maker of electric vehicles.
“It must now help all drivers buy into this future, with consumer incentives that will make the UK the leading European market for zero-emission vehicles.”
The best-selling cars of 2023
But what were the 10 best-selling passenger cars in the UK in 2023? Here’s the final top 10 most popular models based on the SMMT new car registration figures.
1. Ford Puma: 49,591 registrations to date
It was controversial when Ford revived the Puma name — previously associated with a niche but beloved, sporty 1990s coupé — as a Fiesta-based crossover SUV, but its sales success is evidence the tactic paid off. It helps that this is one of the best-handling and most practical cars in its class.
In his review of the Puma, Jeremy Clarkson said he loved the washable boot (known as the “megabox”) and noted that the feature seemed to be designed by “an actual person who leads an actual life”.
In an era of parts supply pressures, the Puma’s positive reception by critics and public alike helped convince Ford of Europe to put all its resources into SUVs and electrified cars; as a result the Fiesta has been discontinued while a new pure-electric Puma is on the way this year.
Quite the changing of the guard, but as it was the number one best-selling car in all but the first three months of 2024, perhaps Ford has made the right call.
2. Nissan Qashqai: 43,321
An all-time high for the Nissan Qashqai in terms of sales came in 2022, with it becoming the UK’s best-selling car, and the compact SUV ended the first quarter of 2023 at the top of the charts, too. It dropped to fourth before a bumper September resulted in it surging back up to become second best seller for the year.
The Qashqai helped popularise the crossover genre, having a bigger impact on the types of cars we drive than almost any other car launched this century. Cars from its segment now dominate sales — the VW T-Roc, Tesla Model Y, Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson are all rivals.
The all-new Qashqai launched in 2021 with a hybrid “e-Power” variant, clever technology, a fresher design and more upmarket interior, and we liked it enough to name it our Small SUV / Crossover of the Year 2021. No doubt its sales success has quite a lot to do with our award; you’re welcome, Nissan.
But there’s no denying that whether buying new or used, the Qashqai is a decent and able family car, with good fuel economy, a smart design and lots of tech at an affordable price. Plus it’s built in Sunderland.
3. Vauxhall Corsa: 40,816
In May the Corsa was knocked off the number one spot after it was outsold by the Ford Puma for the second month in a row, and the Puma went on to gain clear air ahead at the top of the chart. Then a great September for the Qashqai saw the Corsa drop to third in the sales charts. But it outsold the Qashqai again in October, and the fact that has done so well against higher-riding crossovers is impressive. It suggests that traditional superminis aren’t dead quite yet.
The Corsa will be benefitting from Ford discontinuing its hugely popular Fiesta, of course, as the Blue Oval’s supermini was its chief rival. Renault believes it will capitalise on Ford’s decision with its new hybrid Clio, too.
Vauxhall’s supermini was relaunched in 2019 with handsome looks and a range of power choices under the bonnet, including a pure-electric variant packing a competitive 208-mile range. An updated version of all variants is now on sale, and the electric model has range boosted to 255 miles per charge. It’s not cheap but the Corsa’s electrification could mean that it is a strong seller for a few years more yet.
4. Kia Sportage: 36,135
The Kia Sportage family SUV was relaunched in 2022, getting a new chassis and engine line-up along with more modern styling. The interior quality is excellent and the combined 12.3in digital displays give the interior a technologically-advanced look.
At the top of the Sportage range is a plug-in hybrid model developing 261bhp through its combination of 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor, with energy fed from a battery with a 13.8kWh capacity. A non-plug-in hybrid is available on this generation Sportage, with the same 1.6-litre petrol engine on its own producing 226bhp. There are other mild-hybrid petrol models as well as a diesel, so most buyers will be catered for whatever their preference.
The Sportage performed extremely well in a tough and crowded sector of the market, battling it out with rivals such as its cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, as well as the VW T-Roc, Tesla Model Y, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga.
5. Tesla Model Y: 35,899
The nature of Tesla’s sales and delivery model, which does away with traditional car dealers in favour of online purchasing and a direct-to-customer approach, means that deliveries come in bursts rather than a trickle.
March saw a new boatload of the cars arrive into the UK from factories abroad, propelling the Model Y crossover straight to the top of the sales charts for the month, then the following months were quieter so it dropped down the order. However, August was another big one for the electric crossover and it finished up the year in a strong fifth place.
The Model Y builds on the Model 3’s strengths (they share around 95 per cent of their components), adding extra space and crossover styling. Two versions are available, depending on the buyer’s priorities — Long Range (315 miles) and Performance, both with all-wheel drive.
When Driving.co.uk tested the Model Y, we found it to be a massively spacious and competent car with loads to recommend, not least Tesla’s enviable Supercharger network. One big downside, though, was the rather poor ride quality, with bumps and jolts echoing through the vast cabin making it uncomfortable and noisy on rough roads.
6. Hyundai Tucson: 34,469
The Tucson offers fierce competition for sibling company Kia’s Sportage, as well as the Nissan Qashqai. The fact that all three are on this list just goes to show the strength of the family SUV market and the cars in question.
The old Tucson was great but the new model stepped things up a gear with a really smart exterior design, including “hidden” headlights, and a cool new cabin complete with a big touchscreen and digital instrument display. But the Tucson isn’t just more modern; it’s better to drive, too.
Like the Sportage with which the Tucson shares so much, there’s a wide range of powertrain options, including petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, all of which are smooth, quiet and efficient.
7. Mini Hatch: 33,385
There’s a lot of appeal in the Mini — the UK’s third best-selling car last year — thanks to its premium feel, sporty handling and retro styling. Like a Porsche 911, the design has evolved subtly since its launch so that it still looks good more than 20 years on from the first “New Mini”, and next year an all-new model will continue that trend.
Buyers will find plenty of choice in the current Mini Hatch range from the sensible and affordable Mini One right up to the hooligan John Cooper Works model, as well as a pure-electric version. There’s also the choice of three- or five-door bodystyles.
The Mini is still among the best of British (it’s built in Oxford) and a keen rival for German cars such as the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo. The new version will get what looks like a really cool interior with a clever circular touchscreen display, but more importantly the electric model will go further per charge. The Mini’s future seems assured.
8. Nissan Juke: 31,745
We don’t often see the Juke — the Qashqai’s smaller sibling — in the top 10, so Nissan will be delighted that it had two of the best-selling cars in the UK in 2023. That’s largely thanks to a bumper month of sales for the model in March, because the funky SUV didn’t even make the top 10 in October or November, although it did make a welcome return in December.
The Juke has been a bit of a Marmite car in the past but the second generation model is an objectively more attractive proposition and the introduction of a hybrid version last year has clearly caught the eye of many new car buyers who value fuel economy.
Like the Qashqai, the Juke is built in Sunderland and so the “buy local” effect may be a factor in its popularity. But the Juke drives well, appeals to younger drivers, has plenty of tech and is competitively priced, starting at under £21,000, which makes the compact crossover an attractive proposition for buyers.
9. Audi A3: 30,159
In October, the Audi A3 knocked the Fiesta out of the top 10 best sellers for the year to date, after Ford ended production of its supermini. Ford’s loss is Audi’s gain, it seems, with the German hatchback remaining among the top sellers to the end of the year.
The A3 has been around since 1996 and is now in its fourth generation. It’s built on the same underpinnings as — and is a similar size to — the VW Golf and Seat Leon, but considered a more upmarket alternative to both Volkswagen Group stablemates.
It’s also potentially more versatile. You can pick up an A3 in hatchback or saloon forms, and in sporty or rip-snorting guises as the S3 and RS 3. Since 2021 there’s been a plug-in hybrid version, too.
The recent facelifted versions are likely to be the last of the petrol-powered A3s, as Audi is set to launch its final fossil-fuelled cars in Europe in 2025, so expect the fifth gen A3 to be pure electric. Buyers seems to be snapping up the dinosaur-burner versions while they can.
10. Vauxhall Mokka: 29,984
A perennial favourite with UK customers, the Mokka is Vauxhall’s answer to the Ford Puma and the Nissan Juke. Although it’s not quite the best car in its class, the combination of fresh, modern styling and compact dimensions, as well as the comforting familiarity of the Vauxhall badge, have kept the little SUV high in the sales charts.
Also in the Vauxhall’s favour is the number of different trim levels and engine options available. As well as conventional petrol powertrains — diesels have been discontinued — the Mokka is also offered in pure-electric Mokka-e form, which will appeal to those seeking a company car or simply wanting a runabout with minimal running costs and zero exhaust emissions.
These days, the Mokka is taking advantage of the Vauxhall brand’s ownership by Stellantis, sharing technology with the Peugeot 2008 and other cars in the Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep and Fiat ranges. That includes the 1.2-litre petrol engines, which are smooth and eager, and the chassis tech that has helped to make this the best Mokka yet.
Related articles
- After reading about the most popular cars in the UK in 2023, you might be interested to look back at the best-selling cars of 2022.
- Make sure you read Will Dron’s review of the Ford Puma ST
- Car makers’ electric vehicle plans for 2023 and beyond
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