Best-selling cars 2026: UK's new car market grows in February but EV sales stall
It was the busiest February for new cars since 2004 last month, but the EV market share shrunk once again...
New car sales were on the up in February, with 90,100 registrations, according to the latest official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – a 7.2% increase on the year before. Indeed, it's the busiest February for new cars sales in 22 years.
Demand among private buyers saw the most growth, rising by 17.6% to 35,227 (39.1%) registrations. Fleet customers accounted for almost 60% of all registrations (up 1.8%), while business customers were the only buyer type to record decline, at -12.7% year-on-year.
Petrol and diesel cars remain most popular among buyers, accounting for a combined share of 51% of the market. Petrol sales recorded growth of 5.2% compared with 2025, with 39,895 registrations, while diesel sales continued to decline and represented the smallest market share, at just 4.5%.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) remain the fastest-growing sector, with sales increasing by 43.5% to take a total of 11.6% of all new registrations. Sales of hybrids grew by 3.3% to a total market share of 13.1%.
Electric car (EV) sales grew by 2.8% and represented 24.2% of the market. However, this represented the second consecutive month of decline in the EV market compared with the same period in 2025. The SMMT puts this down to the particularly strong start EVs had last year, with new buyers seeking to avoid the introduction of new VED tax rates in April.
According to the ZEV Mandate, EVs must account for 33% of the new car market by the end of 2026. While they represented less than a quarter of the market in 2025, the SMMT predicts a more optimistic year for EV uptake, with these vehicles expected to make up 28.5% of the market by the end of the year. This would mark a considerable improvement on 2025, but would still lag behind government targets.
The Electric Car Grant has stoked demand for EVs, but only a quarter of new models are eligible for the incentive. Still, demand has been blunted by the planned introduction of a new pay-per-mile scheme for EV drivers, dubbed 'eVED', in 2028. Last month, the Government announced an extension to its Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant, raising the offering to £500 until 2027 for those without off-street parking in an attempt to boost uptake.
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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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 the former What Car? Car of the Year shows little sign of slowing. And despite its advancing years, we think it’s 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 £27,480
Best price £24,995
February sales 3220
Read our in-depth Ford Puma review
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 speeds 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 £34,475
Best price £30,995
February sales 2205
Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review
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 about as British a car as you can get (if you completely ignore the current German ownership), and it's been a star of the roads and screen since its debut back in 1961. As such, it comes as no shock it's one of the biggest-selling cars in the UK.
The latest version of the Cooper has been thoroughly modernised with a choice of both petrol and electric power, but whichever version you choose, you'll be getting a competent small car with plenty of character to match its cutesy charm.
Our preferred engine in the petrol version is the entry-level 1.5-litre unit that offers 154bhp and has a surprisingly feisty kick. Thanks to its sharp steering and grippy front end, it's lots of fun to drive, but its firm suspension means it's not the most comfortable around town.
Our favourite version Cooper C Classic
List price £25,465
Best price £25,465
February sales 1828
Read our in-depth Mini Cooper review
Strengths
- Fast and reliable charging via Tesla's Supercharger network
- Long range between charges
- Surprisingly practical
Weaknesses
- Fiddly interior controls
- Handling not as entertaining as the best petrol-powered rivals
- Windscreen pillars can hamper visibility
Tesla is a brand that exclusively makes EVs, and if the Model 3 is anything to go by, it does a very good job of it. This electric saloon is one of the best petrol-free options you can buy, thanks to its long electric range, fast and reliable charging, and surprising practicality.
It's also great to drive and has some impressive speed (particularly in Performance guise), beating the likes of the Kia EV6 and Polestar 2 for overall driving fun.
However, the Model 3's interior is minimalist to the extreme, with practically everything controlled through the 15.4in central touchscreen. Even the indicator stalk has been replaced by haptic buttons on the steering wheel. This won't suit everyone, but at least the touchscreen is user-friendly.
Our favourite version Premium Long Range RWD
List price £44,990
Best price £44,990
February sales 1584
Read our in-depth Tesla Model 3 review
Strengths
- Smart interior
- Spacious in the back
- PHEV has a long electric-only range
Weaknesses
- Fidgety ride
- Wayward handling
- Frustrating infotainment system
The Jaecoo 7 is somewhat of a new kid on the block, having only been launched in the UK last year. However, in its first few months of being on the market, it has recorded an impressive number of sales. In fact, Jaecoo as a brand outsold well-established marques such as Mini, Renault and Volvo in the UK in January, and it was second only to MG in sales among Chinese car brands.
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 £35,165
Best price £35,165
February sales 1446
Read our in-depth Jaecoo 7 review
Strengths
- Stylish and high-quality interior
- Comfortable ride on most versions
- Comprehensive safety kit
Weaknesses
- Lacks the rear-seat flexibility of some rivals
- Fairly small infotainment screen
- Some rivals are tidier to drive
The XC40 is the smallest petrol-powered SUV Volvo sells – but it's proof that great things can come in little packages. A former What Car? Car of the Year, this family SUV blends premium quality and style with generous practicality.
Our favourite engine is the entry-level B3, which offers 161bhp from its 2.0-litre mild hybrid set-up. With that power, it can whisk you up to motorway speeds in an efficient and relaxed manner. While its steering is hardly sporty, it's accurate and grips through corners more nicely than a Mini Countryman or Volkswagen Tiguan.
There are a few trim levels available, but we'd opt for Plus, which is just one step above the base-spec option. It adds keyless entry, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a heated front windscreen, on top of the standard heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.
Our favourite version 2.0 B3 MHEV Plus
List price £40,090
Best price £38,590
February sales 1392
Read our in-depth Volvo XC40 review
Strengths
- Well-judged ride and handling balance
- Has a large boot and great seating flexibility
- Roomier than many rivals
Weaknesses
- Higher trims are as pricey as premium-badged rivals
- Option packs drive up the price
- 1.5-litre petrol engine is noisy when revved
The Tiguan was once Volkswagen's biggest seller globally, so it's little surprise that UK buyers love it so much. The current generation is stylish and modern outside, while offering plenty of space for families inside – but it is at the pricier end of its segment, which means it has a lot of upmarket rivals to contend with.
You can have your Tiguan with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, diesel or petrol power, so you shouldn't have many issues finding a version that suits you. Our favourite is the mild hybrid eTSI 150, which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a small electric motor to bolster performance and fuel economy. It's pleasantly peppy for everyday driving.
Inside the Tiguan, there's plenty of head and leg room for even the tallest of occupants. However, if you need space for more, you'll have to opt for the larger VW Tayron, because the Tiguan Allspace seven-seater no longer exists.
Our favourite version 1.5 eTSI 150 Match
List price £39,120
Best price £30,991
February sales 1379
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Tiguan review
Strengths
- Well equipped
- Cheaper than rivals
- Efficient engines
Weaknesses
- Fiddly infotainment system
- Below-par safety rating
- Smaller boot than rivals
The Vauxhall Corsa has long been one of the biggest sellers in the UK, so it's no surprise that it's a regular fixture in the top 10 best-sellers list. It owes its popularity to its ability to appeal to everyone, thanks to its wide variety of engines and trims.
Our favourite engine in the Corsa is the 99bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, which acts as the entry point to the range. It's flexible and competent at motorway speeds, although some rival small cars, like the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo, are more comfortable.
There are four trim levels available with the Corsa, but even with all that choice, we still think the entry-level 'Yes' is the one to go for. It comes well-equipped with 16in alloy wheels, heated front seats, cruise control, air-conditioning and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel.
Our favourite version 1.2 Turbo Yes
List price £20,225
Best price £15,495
February sales 1335
Read our in-depth Vauxhall Corsa review
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Spacious in the back
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Interior quality doesn’t impress
- Relatively small boot
- Busy low-speed ride on ST-Line trims
Since it's available with petrol, regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid power, as well as a huge variety of trim levels, there's likely to be a version of the Ford Kuga which will suit you.
While the plug-in hybrid model will work out best for company car drivers because of its low CO2 emissions, the 2.5-litre hybrid is the version to go for if you're buying privately. It can travel for short distances on electric power alone, and can two up to 2100kg – enough for a good-sized caravan.
Your rear passengers will find they have more leg room than in the Kia Sportage, and more space to stretch out overall than they'd find in the Citroën C5 Aircross. The Mazda CX-5 offers a better quality of materials inside, though, as well as a more intuitive infotainment system.
Our favourite version 2.5 Duratec FHEV ST-Line
List price £38,345
Target price £36,279
February sales 1286
Read our in-depth Ford Kuga review
Strengths
- Well-made, user-friendly interior
- Spacious for passengers and luggage
- Good range of engines
Weaknesses
- Some rivals have tidier handling
- Slightly more expensive to buy than rivals
- No sliding rear seats
It should come as no surprise that the Hyundai Tucson is on this list – it forms part of the huge-selling family SUV category, and it's a very good example of one too.
There's a version of the Tucson for everyone, with petrol, mild hybrid, regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. However, it's the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine that we think makes most sense for the average buyer, thanks to its pep and versatility. Meanwhile, the PHEV makes for a smart company car choice.
Even the most basic Tucsons come generously equipped with 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, keyless ignition, rear privacy glass and ambient lighting. You also get infotainment goodies including sat-nav, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring at no extra cost.
Our favourite version 1.6 T-GDi Advance
List price £33,105
Best price £30,089
February sales 1222
