Best-selling cars 2026: car market grows with two million EVs now on UK roads
The UK car market grew significantly last month, rebounding after an unusually slow April last year...
Following on from an unusually slow April last year, the new car market grew significantly last month, with 149,247 registrations according to the latest official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – a 24% increase on the year before.
Growth was recorded across all customer sectors, driven by fleet customers at 60.6% of all registrations (up 26.8%). Private buyers accounted for 56,116 (20.2%) of registrations, while the smaller business sector was up 15% with 2320 registrations.
Petrol is still the go-to fuel type among buyers, accounting for 42.6% of all registrations – up 8.2% on the year before. However, interest in diesel cars continues to decline, with registrations dropping by 1% for a market share of just 4.2%.
More than half (53.2%) of buyers opted for an electrified vehicle – including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) continue to record significant growth, with sales increasing by 46.4% to take a total of 13.8% of all new registrations. Hybrid cars were up 18.8% with 19,711 registrations.
Electric cars recorded another milestone in April, with the two millionth EV registered in the UK. Sales of EVs were up 59.1% year-on-year, after tax changes slowed uptake in 2025. They now account for 23.1% of the overall car market for 2026 so far, but this lags behind the 33% target set out in the ZEV Mandate.
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 £28,045
Best price £24,797
April sales 4211
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 £34,895
Best price £31,299
April sales 3645
Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review
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 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 a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Our favourite version 1.3 DiG-T MH N-Connecta
List price £33,105
Best price £25,990
April sales 2846
Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review
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 £29,150
Best price £23,050
April sales 2845
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf 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 one of just 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
April sales 2577
Read our in-depth Mini Cooper review
Strengths
- Competitive pricing
- Long warranty
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Petrol engine is coarse and thirsty
- Fidgety ride
- Poor head room in the back
The Omoda 5 might be a new name on this list, but Omoda and its sibling brands have been recording huge growth since they entered the UK market.
In fact, it's no surprise that we see the 5 on this list, since it's closely related to the big-selling Jaecoo 7, and counts the hugely popular Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage among its key rivals.
Despite the 5's competitive pricing, it comes very generously equipped – but its thirsty petrol engine and fidgety ride leave a lot to be desired. We'd opt for the SHS-H hybrid.
Our favourite version 1.5 T SHS-H Knight
List price £25,755
Target price £23,899
April sales 2308
Read our in-depth Omoda 5 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 £20,240
Best price £15,495
April sales 2236
Read our in-depth Vauxhall Corsa 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 global seller, so it's not shocking that UK buyers love it so much. The current generation is stylish and modern on the 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 Life
List price £38,920
Best price £31,815
April sales 2234
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Tiguan review
Strengths
- Classy interior with loads of kit for the money
- Hybrid versions are good to drive
- Plug-in hybrid has a genuinely impressive electric range
Weaknesses
- MG's poor reliability record
- Non-hybrid 1.5 petrol is disappointing
- Some rivals has 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 £32,495
Best price £25,938
April sales 2146
Read our in-depth MG HS review
Jaecoo 7
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 £34,025
Best price £31,299
April sales 2099
