Best of
Best-selling cars 2026: new car market grows in October
In what is usually a quieter month for the automotive market, new car sales were up in October, but which models were the most popular?
Eleanor Cooper
Updated: 5 November 2026
New car sales in the UK were up 5.4% last month, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with 152,730 models leaving showrooms.
In what marked an 11th consecutive month for growth, October saw demand increase across all sales types, with private purchases up by 4.1% compared with the same month in 2025, making up 38.1% of the market. Fleet and company car customers accounted for the largest proportion of sales, at 58.9%, while business customers recorded the most growth, up 24.5% on the year before.
All of the growth was driven by plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles, with growth of 30.1% and 32.7% respectively. All other fuel types, including hybrid, petrol and diesel cars, declined.
Nearly six in 10 (59%) of all car sales were electrified in some way. And, despite registrations declining by 11.6% compared with 2025, petrol cars remain most popular among buyers, with 56,876 (37.2%) sales.
Diesel registrations continued to represent the smallest share of the market, at just 3.8% – a 15.9% decline on the year before.
Electric car sales reached their highest market share of the year last month, at 32%. However, with an overall share of just 26.6% so far in 2026, they still lag behind the 33% target set out in the ZEV Mandate. According to the SMMT, this gap is only set to widen, with just a 32% share expected next year against a 38% target. The Government's Autumn Budget, announced last week, did little to further incentivise drivers to switch to electric, with the confirmation of a new pay-per-mile tax for EV and PHEV drivers, plus the decision to retain VAT at 20% for public charging.
But which models sold the most last month? Below we've listed the top 10. And if you like the look of any of them, just follow the links to read more or see how much you can save on the best new car deals.
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Jaecoo 7
Best buy: 1.5T SHS 18.3kWh Luxury Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.5 sec
MPG/range: 282.48 mpg
C02 emissions: 23 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 500 litres
Insurance group: 32D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Smart interior
- Spacious in the back
- Plug-in hybrid has a good electric range
Weaknesses
- Unsettled ride
- Disappointing handling
- Distracting infotainment system
The Jaecoo 7 is something of a new kid on the block, having only been launched in the UK last year. However, in its first year of being on the market, it has achieved impressive popularity. In fact, Jaecoo as a brand has outsold well-established marques such as Mini, Renault and Volvo in the UK so far this year.
You can have your Jaecoo 7 with either petrol or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, the latter of which is well-priced and delivers a competitive official electric-only range of 57 miles – more than the rival Hyundai Tucson PHEV, but not as far as the equivalent MG HS or Volkswagen Tiguan.
Like the Kia Sportage, the Jaecoo 7 offers a lofty driving position that's popular with SUV fans, and it's spacious inside. However, it's let down by its subpar driving experience, with its unsettled ride and sloppy handling.
Our favourite version 1.5T SHS 18.3kWh Luxury
List price £35,170
Best price £31,499
October sales 3412
Read our in-depth Jaecoo 7 review
New car deals
Best price from £27,395
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £27,395
RRP from: £29,210
Nearly new deals
From £24,189
Leasing deals
From £271
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Jaecoo 7
Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £271.12 Initial payment £3,253.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,498 total upfront (£3,253 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 6000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Ford Puma
Best buy: 1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.4 sec
MPG/range: 47.9 mpg
C02 emissions: 135 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 456 litres
Insurance group: 21E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Great fun to drive
- Remarkable blend of performance and fuel economy
- Big and cleverly designed boot
Weaknesses
- Rear space is adequate rather than outstanding
- Interior quality could be better
- There are more comfortable and quieter rivals
The Ford Puma was the biggest-selling car of 2024 and 2025 – and despite its advancing years, it's still one of the biggest sellers on the market. Indeed, we think this former What Car? Car of the Year is still one of the best small SUVs on the market.
With fantastic agility and impressive pace, there aren’t many cars that provide a more enjoyable driving experience than the Puma. What’s more, all of its engines are assisted by mild hybrid technology to boost efficiency.
If comfort is a top priority, then you’ll be better off with a Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc, which are both fitted with softer suspension, but the Nissan Juke will jostle you round more. The Puma also benefits from a reasonably plush interior, and it offers practical boot space.
Our favourite version 1.0 Ecoboost MHEV ST-Line
List price £28,045
Best price £21,490
October sales 3369
Read our in-depth Ford Puma review
New car deals
Best price from £21,959
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £21,959
RRP from: £27,145
Nearly new deals
From £16,995
Leasing deals
From £285
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Ford Puma
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £284.67 Initial payment £3,416.04
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,661 total upfront (£3,416 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Volkswagen Golf
Best buy: 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 5.6 sec
MPG/range: 38.7 mpg
C02 emissions: 167 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 374 litres
Insurance group: 31E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Exceedingly comfortable ride with adaptive suspension
- Tidy handling
- Strong and frugal 1.5 TSI 150 engine
Weaknesses
- Automatic gearbox can be hesitant
- Interior quality could be better
- There are more spacious rivals
The VW Golf has a reputation of being the quintessential family car, and that’s because it strikes the perfect balance of comfort and practicality that makes it ideal for both long and short journeys.
It’s available with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power, but the mid-range 1.5-litre petrol should serve the needs of most buyers. Company car drivers, however, might be tempted by the low tax advantages of the plug-in hybrid.
The Golf feels right at home around town, with light steering which can feel a bit flimsy on faster, twistier roads. You can remedy that with some of the higher trim levels, though, which offer a larger selection of driving modes.
Our favourite version 1.5 TSI Match
List price £29,280
Best price £23,131
October sales 2642
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review
New car deals
Best price from £22,590
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £22,590
RRP from: £29,040
Nearly new deals
From £21,428
Leasing deals
From £239
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Volkswagen Golf
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £238.96 Initial payment £2,867.52
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,113 total upfront (£2,868 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Mini Countryman
Best buy: 1.5C MHEV Exclusive Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.3 sec
MPG/range: 47.9 mpg
C02 emissions: 134 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 450 litres
Insurance group: 21E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Gutsy engines
- Spacious and flexible rear seats
- Competitively priced
Weaknesses
- Awkward driving position
- Fiddly infotainment system
- Interior quality could be better
The Mini Countryman is the model to opt for if you like the striking looks of the classic Mini hatchback, but need a bit of extra practicality.
Indeed, the Countryman is the largest model Mini makes, and its high-riding stance and chunky features are designed to appeal to those in the market for a family SUV. As such, it counts the hugely successful Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai among its key rivals, but both of those have a better driving position and nicer materials inside.
Our favourite Countryman uses its gutsy 168bhp 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol engine in combination with Exclusive trim, which adds bigger 18in alloy wheels, a more upmarket interior (compared with the base model) and some exciting exterior paint options.
Our favourite version 1.5C MHEV Exclusive
List price £31,845
Best price £31,845
October sales 2480
Read our in-depth Mini Countryman review
New car deals
Best price from £29,195
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £29,195
RRP from: £29,345
Nearly new deals
From £26,479
Leasing deals
From £436
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Mini Countryman
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £435.61 Initial payment £5,227.32
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£5,472 total upfront (£5,227 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Kia Sportage
Best buy: 1.6 h T-GDi Pure Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.9 sec
MPG/range: 51.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 125 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 587 litres
Insurance group: 23E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Lower-spec models are great value
- Smart interior
- Generous rear leg room and boot space
Weaknesses
- Rear head room compromised with panoramic roof
- No clever rear seat functions
- Auto gearbox feels frustratingly slow with non-hybrid engine
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the Kia Sportage – in fact, we like it so much we've named it our Family SUV of the Year two years on the trot. Not only is it spacious and exceedingly practical, it also offers great value for money.
Our favourite engine is the 1.6-litre hybrid, which has recently received a boost in power. It pumps out 235bhp, and is considerably punchier than the entry-level non-hybrid, so you won’t have any issues getting up to speed no matter the journey.
Perhaps one of the reasons why the Sportage is so popular is its lofty driving position, which will please SUV fans. It’s also competitively priced, with entry-level models undercutting the likes of the Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson.
Our favourite version 1.6T Hybrid Pure
List price £34,895
Best price £30,269
October sales 2438
Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review
New car deals
Best price from £27,995
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £27,995
RRP from: £31,395
Nearly new deals
From £22,460
Leasing deals
From £306
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Kia Sportage
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £305.95 Initial payment £3,671.40
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,916 total upfront (£3,671 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Mini Cooper
Best buy: 1.5C Classic Steptronic Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr
0-62 mph: 7.7 sec
MPG/range: 47.9 mpg
C02 emissions: 133 g/km
Seats: 4
Boot: 210 litres
Insurance group: 21E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Stylish interior
- Lots of performance
- Strong engines
Weaknesses
- Ride is on the firm side
- One of the least practical small cars
- A fair bit of wind and road noise
The Mini Cooper is one of two cars on this list built right here in the UK – at least in petrol guise – which makes sense, because it is something of a British icon.
Indeed, this small car has a lot of history behind it, and even in its fourth generation, it continues to top the sales charts. Currently, you can have your Mini Cooper with petrol or battery electric power, and there are also high-powered John Cooper Works editions on offer.
Our favourite is the entry-level Cooper C thanks to its feisty 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, fun driving manners and quiet ride.
Our favourite version 1.5C Classic
List price £25,485
Best price £25,485
October sales 2432
Read our in-depth Mini Cooper review
New car deals
Best price from £24,735
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £26,035
RRP from: £24,735
Nearly new deals
From £22,499
Leasing deals
From £361
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Mini Cooper
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £360.87 Initial payment £4,330.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,575 total upfront (£4,330 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Nissan Qashqai
Best buy: 1.3 DIG-T MHEV N-Connecta Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.5 sec
MPG/range: 44.1 mpg
C02 emissions: 144 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 504 litres
Insurance group: 22E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Smooth, quiet engines
- Lower trim levels are great value for private buyers
- Smart, easy-to-use interior
Weaknesses
- So-so performance
- Some rivals are more fun to drive
- Lacks the seating flexibility of many rivals
The fact that the Nissan Qashqai is such a big seller shouldn’t come as a surprise – it practically launched the family SUV trend that has taken over the car industry, rivalling the hugely popular Jaecoo 7 and Kia Sportage.
Unlike those cars, our favourite version of the Qashqai comes assisted by mild hybrid technology to help keep your fuel bills low.
The Qashqai does everything you’d expect it to – it offers that fantastic driving position that SUV fans love, and it’s decently practical. Our recommended trim, N-Connecta, comes with plenty of kit, including 18in alloy wheels, a fully digital driver’s display and heated front seats.
Our favourite version 1.3 DiG-T MHEV N-Connecta
List price £33,615
Best price £27,839
October sales 2420
Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review
New car deals
Best price from £25,799
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £25,799
RRP from: £31,145
Nearly new deals
From £16,995
Leasing deals
From £244
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Nissan Qashqai
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £244.00 Initial payment £2,928.00
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,173 total upfront (£2,928 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
MG HS
Best buy: 1.5 T-GDI 24.7 kWh SE Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 6.8 sec
MPG/range: 705 mpg
C02 emissions: 12 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 530 litres
Insurance group: 26A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Classy interior with loads of kit for the money
- Hybrid versions are good to drive
- Plug-in hybrid has a huge electric range
Weaknesses
- MG’s poor reliability record
- Non-hybrid 1.5 petrol is disappointing
- Some rivals have even more luggage space
The MG HS is a long way from the two-seaters MG was known for in the past, but judging by the fact that the HS sells in big numbers, that's no bad thing.
You can have your HS with pure petrol or plug-in hybrid power – and the latter is our favourite option. As our 2025 Plug-In Hybrid of the Year, the HS PHEV impresses with its long electric-only range and fantastic value. Indeed, it can officially travel up to 75 miles on a single charge, which is further than most rivals, including the Jaecoo 7 and Kia Sportage.
We can't recommend the 1.5-litre petrol engine as highly, but it does offer decent acceleration and has more than enough oomph once you're on the move.
Our favourite version 1.5T Plug-in Hybrid SE
List price £33,495
Best price £30,866
October sales 2393
Read our in-depth MG HS review
New car deals
Best price from £20,999
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £20,999
RRP from: £27,495
Nearly new deals
From £18,499
Leasing deals
From £252
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
MG HS
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £251.51 Initial payment £3,018.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,263 total upfront (£3,018 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Audi A3
Best buy: 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.1 sec
MPG/range: 53.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 120 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 380 litres
Insurance group: 23E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Sharp handling
- Excellent driving position
- Punchy but frugal engines
Weaknesses
- Audi's unimpressive reliability record
- BMW 1 Series has a better interior
- Expensive top trims and optional packages
Much like the aforementioned VW Golf, the Audi A3 has cemented its status as a solid family car over the years. It's comfortable, good to drive and a recent facelift has brought its interior quality to the next level.
Our favourite version of the A3 for private buyers is the entry-level 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, badged 35 TFSI. However, if you're looking at the A3 as a company car, the 40 TFSIe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) promises low running costs and the ability to travel 88 miles on petrol-free power.
Inside, the A3 benefits from some new soft-touch fabrics instead of the scratchy plastics that used to furnish the dashboard, as well as new interior lighting. However, there are still some low-rent materials to be found on the centre console. If that's a real bug bear for you, we'd recommend the more luxurious BMW 1 Series or Mazda 3.
Our favourite version Sport 35 TFSI
List price £30,950
Best price £26,499
October sales 2322
Read our in-depth Audi A3 review
New car deals
Best price from £26,990
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £26,990
RRP from: £30,300
Nearly new deals
From £24,100
Leasing deals
From £312
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Audi A3
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £312.36 Initial payment £3,748.32
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,993 total upfront (£3,748 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Jaecoo 5
Best buy: 60.9kWh Luxury Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.7 sec
Range: 248 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 34U
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Smart interior for the money
- Well equipped
- Decent infotainment system
Weaknesses
- Poor ride, so-so handling, noisy engine
- No Euro NCAP safety rating (yet)
- Not as cheap on PCP finance as you might think
The Jaecoo 5 is, as you might have guessed, the smaller sibling to the hugely popular Jaecoo 7 family SUV – so it comes as no surprise that it's a big seller. Like the 7, it majors on offering a lot of car for a very competitive price.
Indeed, even the entry-level 5 comes well-equipped with everything you might need, including air-con, manually adjustable front seats, front and rear parking sensors, voice control and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. What's more, you'll pay less for all that than you would for the cheapest versions of the Ford Puma and Toyota Yaris Cross.
You can have your Jaecoo 5 with either a 145bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine or all-electric power, in the form of the Jaecoo E5. The petrol engine offers enough pull to get you off the line, but its automatic gearbox is a bit hesitant when you need a boost of acceleration.
Our favourite version 1.6T Pure
List price £24,555
Best price £21,490
October sales 2171
Read our in-depth Jaecoo 5 review
New car deals
Best price from £21,490
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £21,490
RRP from: £24,555
Nearly new deals
From £19,999
Leasing deals
From £252
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Jaecoo 5
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £252.03 Initial payment £3,024.36
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,269 total upfront (£3,024 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
FAQs
What is the most sold car in the UK?
At the time of writing, the best-selling car in the UK is the Jaecoo 7 with 3412 units sold in October 2026. It's the second-biggest selling model in 2026 so far, second to only the Ford Puma.
As for its nearest rivals, here are some of the UK’s other best-selling cars right now:
Make and model
Volume sold (for October 2026)
What Car? rating
PCP deal
Lease deal
2438
5
2480
4
3369
4
2420
4
2642
4
More broadly speaking, the best-selling car of all time in the UK is the Ford Fiesta, of which the Blue Oval shifted over 4.8 million examples across seven generations between 1977 and 2023. Having retired the much-loved supermini to nation-wide catharsis, Ford could be on the verge of bringing the Fiesta back as a joint-venture with Renault.
As for some of Britain’s other chart-toppers, here are five:
Make and model
Still on sale?
Volume sold
Best deals
No
4 million
Yes
3.6 million
Yes (only dealer stock, as it’s being phased out)
2.9 million
Yes
2.8 million
Yes
2.3 million
Which is the most popular car in the world?
Globally, the best-selling car of all-time is the Toyota Corolla with over 50 million examples sold since 1966. In fact, it remains the best-selling car in the world today, with Toyota estimated to have a 1.2% global market share at the time of writing (July 2026). Some of the other chart toppers include the Tesla Model Y, Ford F-Series, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Silverado and the Toyota RAV4.
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