Best-selling cars in the UK: Best February sales figures for 20 years revealed

It was the best February for new car sales since 2024, but which models proved to be the most popular among buyers?...

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by
Darren Moss
Published05 March 2024

Dealership featuring Mercedes E-Class

February was the strongest such month for new car sales in two decades, new figures have revealed, but the growth wasn't driven by private buyers.

Instead, official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that it was company car fleets and business which contributed to the healthy sales, with 56,256 new cars joining UK roads from those areas. Sales to private buyers, meanwhile, contributed 28,630 new cars to the total of 84,886 – that's a 14% increase on February 2023's figure.

Petrol cars took the lion's share of sales in February, covering 56.6% of the total, but sales of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for 37.6% of the total, with each type of electrified model's market share growing. So far in 2024, plug-in hybrid cars have been the most common choices among buyers, with 30.4% of the year's sales so far being cars of this kind.

Only diesel-powered car sales continued to tumble, with just 4995 new cars being powered by the fuel last month.

So which cars were UK buyers putting their money down on the most in February? Scroll down this story to find out. And if any of them take your fancy, you can also click through to our free New Car Deals service to see how much we can save you without the hassle of haggling.

Data source: SMMT

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Our pick: 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV 155 ST-Line 5dr

0-62mph: 8.9 sec
MPG/range: 51.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 124g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 456 litres
Insurance group: 14E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

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
  • Visibility could be better
  • Volkswagen T-Roc is more comfortable and quieter

The Ford Puma is a former What Car? Car of the Year, and even though its small SUV crown has now been taken by the excellent Lexus LBX, it remains one of the best cars in its class.

The Puma should certainly put a smile on your face, because it's very agile, especially in ST-Line guise with sports suspension, and has well-weighted, engaging steering.

The interior is well laid out and reasonably plush, although rivals such as the Mini Countryman and Volkswagen T-Roc provide a much more upmarket feel. Also, rear visibility isn’t ideal, and the view out of the front can be limited, depending on your seating position.

The boot is large for the class and has a height-adjustable floor with even more storage underneath. Excellent fuel economy and a low CO2 output also help to make the case for the playful Puma being a sensible buy. 

Our favourite version Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 ST-Line
List price £27,340
Target price £25,311
Target PCP £256

February sales 2535

Read our Ford Puma review

Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Exceedingly comfortable ride with adaptive suspension
  • Tidy handling
  • Strong and frugal 1.5 TSI 150 engine

Weaknesses

  • Frustratingly fiddly infotainment system is full of software bugs
  • Interior quality could be better
  • There are more spacious rivals

It's one of the most well-known family cars on the market, but the Golf more than deserves its popularity. For a start, it mixes comfort and practicality very well – it rides around town with similar levels of comfort to the pricier Mercedes A-Class, for example, yet also has space for five carry-on suitcases in its boot.

There's a good choice of Golf engines, including mild and plug-in hybrid options, as well as a diesel for those covering lots of miles, but our top choice is the mid-range 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol, which can get you up to motorway speeds in a swift 8.5sec, yet should also keep your running costs in check.

While the Golf handles well, the Seat Leon is even more of a hoot to drive quickly, while the Ford Focus is slightly quieter at speed.

Our favourite version 1.5 TSI Life
List price £27,555
Target price £25,967
Target PCP £264

February sales 2203

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Comfortable ride and quiet on the motorway
  • High-set driving position for a small SUV
  • Good boot by class standards

Weaknesses

  • Touch-sensitive controls can be fiddly
  • Upper trims and engine options are too pricey
  • Unexciting handling (the Ford Puma is a sharper drive)

Alongside the Ford Puma mentioned further up this list, and the What Car? Car of the Year Award-winning Lexus LBX, the Volkswagen T-Roc is among our favourite small SUVs.

The T-Roc was always comfortable and good to drive, with our recommended 1.5-litre petrol engine offering plenty of pep for most situations while also keeping your running costs sensible. And thanks to a mid-life update last year, the T-Roc's interior now feels that bit more special too, with high-quality materials covering most surfaces that you touch. Plus, the Life models we recommend come loaded with kit, despite being the entry-level choice – automatic wipers, dual-zone climate control and digital instruments all come as standard.

Your family will like the T-Roc, too, with more room to stretch out in the rear seats than you'd find in either the LBX or the big-selling Nissan Juke, and enough space to fit seven carry-on suitcases in its boot.

Our favourite version 1.5 TSI Life
List price £29,885
Target price £28,376
Target PCP £277

February sales 1986

Read our Volkswagen T-Roc review

Our pick: 1.6T GDi 157 48V ISG 3 5dr

0-62mph: 9.8 sec
MPG/range: 44.1mpg
CO2 emissions: 146g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 562 litres
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Lower-spec models are great value
  • Smart interior
  • Generous rear leg room and boot space

Weaknesses

  • Hybrid petrol engine sounds strained
  • Rear head room compromised with panoramic roof
  • No clever rear seat functions

The family SUV market is extremely competitive, so a car has to be truly excellent to stand out. The Kia Sportage absolutely is, though – in fact, it's our reigning Family SUV of the Year.

Practicality is a particular strength, with the boot spacious and thoughtfully designed, and the interior offering plenty of leg and head room in both the front and the rear. In addition, the Sportage is plush inside – more so than the Hyundai Tucson which it is closely related.

The entry-level model is very temptingly priced, but upgrading to our recommended 3 trim gives you lots of useful extras, such as heated front seats and keyless start.

Our favourite version Kia Sportage 1.6T GDi 48V ISG 3
List price £32,875
Target price £30,884
Target PCP £366

February sales 1948

Read our Kia Sportage review

Our pick: 40 TFSI e Sport 5dr S Tronic

0-62mph: 7.6 sec
MPG/range: 256.8mpg
CO2 emissions: 26g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 280 litres
Insurance group: 24E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Sharp handling
  • Excellent driving position
  • Strong and frugal engines, including the excellent plug-in hybrid

Weaknesses

  • Interior quality is good but could be better
  • Fiddly infotainment system
  • Audi's unimpressive reliability record

The Audi A3 is one of our favourite upmarket family cars, and we think in 40 TFSIe guise, it’s one of the best plug-in hybrids on the market. It’s no surprise then, that the A3 frequently makes the list of Britain’s best sellers.

Audi’s family hatchback is better to drive than the Mercedes A-Class and is quieter than the BMW 1 Series. And with physical controls, its tech is easier to use than that of the Volkswagen Golf

It’s worth singling out the plug-in hybrid 40 TFSIe because it has a 40-mile all-electric range and attracts appealing low company car tax bills.

Our favourite version 40 TFSIe Sport
List price £36,400
Target price £34,355
Target PCP £364

February sales 1835

Read our Audi A3 review

Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • The classiest small car interior
  • Excellent infotainment system
  • Strong resale values

Weaknesses

  • Ride is a bit firm
  • Not as safe as rivals
  • Only has two rear seats

When it comes to choosing a new car you can really make your own, the Mini hatchback is really in a class of its own, such is the level of personalisation and customisation on offer. It remains among the most stylish cars available at any price, yet has the substance to back it up.

As well as those cheeky looks, we love the interior – which is both classy and well-appointed – although there are more practical cars out there, such as the Audi A1.

Our top choice is the Cooper model in Exclusive trim because it blends a peppy yet frugal engine with a good amount of equipment and technology.

It's worth noting that the current Mini is currently only available from stock, because the all-new version is about to arrive in showrooms.

February sales 1828

Read our Mini review

Our pick: 118i [136] M Sport 5dr [Live Cockpit Professional]

0-62mph: 8.9 sec
MPG/range: 47.9mpg
CO2 emissions: 134g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 380 litres
Insurance group: 20E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Superb build quality
  • Sporty handling
  • Class-leading infotainment system

Weaknesses

  • Mercedes A-Class is safer
  • SE trim not that well equipped
  • Road noise at speed

Looking for a family car which feels premium inside? Well, we think the BMW 1 Series has the best interior in the class.

Key to that appeal is BMW's iDrive infotainment system, which offers quick responses, pin-sharp graphics, and can be controlled easily via a rotary knob on the centre console – even when you're on the move.

While there are lots of versions of the 1 Series to choose from, including the BMW M135i hot hatch and the cheaper 128Ti, uit's the entry-level 118i petrol which we think makes the most sense for most buyers. This offers peppy responses, and with 134bhp it performs well for everyday driving.

You get lots of kit as standard in the 1 Series, but it's worth noting that the rival Mercedes A-Class performed better in the adult protection and pedestrian protection tests employed by the safety experts at Euro NCAP.

Our favourite version 118i M Sport
List price £31,585
Target price £29,912
Target PCP £285

February sales 1815

Read our BMW 1 Series review

Our pick: Long Range AWD 5dr Auto

0-62mph: 4.8 sec
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
Seats: 5
Insurance group: 48D
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Rapid acceleration
  • Great range between charges
  • Tesla’s charging infrastructure

Weaknesses

  • Unsettled ride
  • Noisy for an EV
  • A Model 3 is cheaper and better to drive

Think of the Tesla Model Y as being a Tesla Model 3 on stilts, distilling everything that's great about that car into a more practical, family friendly package, and you won't be far wrong.

While the Model Y can't match the Model 3's rapid performance because of its extra weight, it still doesn't feel slow. In fact, the Long Range version managed to blast from 0-60mph in 4.8sec in our tests, while the range-topping Performance model dropped that time to 3.5sec – that's faster than any version of the rival Audi Q4 e-tron can manage, and a match for the Kia EV6 GT.

Range is a strength of every Model Y, and our recommended Long Range models can officially take you up to 331 miles according to official figures – that figure fell to a still respectable 277 miles in real-world conditions. Ride comfort could use some work, however, and the Model Y jostles you around in your seat while you're driving along. Road noise is also more noticable than in rival electric SUVs.

The Model Y has the same minimalist interior as the Model 3, and offers lots of room in both the front and rear seats for your family to stretch out. Plus, we managed to fit 10 carry-on suitcases on board the Model Y.

Our favourite version Long Range
List price £52,990
Target price £52,990
Target PCP £494

February sales 1777

Read our Tesla Model Y review

Our pick: 1.3 DiG-T MH N-Connecta 5dr

0-62mph: 10.2 sec
MPG/range: 44.1mpg
CO2 emissions: 144g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 479 litres
Insurance group: 12E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Lots of standard safety kit
  • Great driving position
  • Smart interior

Weaknesses

  • So-so performance
  • Some rivals are more fun to drive
  • Lacks the seating flexibility of many rivals

For many buyers, the Nissan Qashqai exemplifies the family SUV class. After all, it was the car that first popularised the idea of a tall car without the sky-high running costs of a traditional off-roader. The latest version is a fine all-rounder, combining good practicality with some efficient engine options.

Our preferred choice is the entry-level 1.3-litre petrol, which has mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills.

Meanwhile, there's a good reason why most Qashqai buyers choose N-Connecta trim, because it bundles together lots of desirable kit – including 18in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry – for a very reasonable price.

Our favourite version Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T MH N-Connecta
List price £31,890
Target price £28,573
Target PCP £258

February sales 1616

Read our Nissan Qashqai review

Our pick: 1.2 Turbo GS 5dr Auto

0-62mph: 9.2 sec
MPG/range: 47.9mpg
CO2 emissions: 132g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 350 litres
Insurance group: 19E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Impressive refinement
  • Well equipped
  • Grunty yet frugal petrol engines

Weaknesses

  • Mediocre boot space
  • Quicker depreciation than rivals
  • Not particularly sharp to drive

There's a lot to like about the Vauxhall Mokka, especially in the 1.2-litre petrol-engined form we recommend. With 128bhp, the engine provides plenty of pep for the Mokka in most situations, and even on faster roads it never feels out of puff. It should be relatively cheap to run, too, and returned 41.8mpg in our real-world fuel economy tests.

However, while the Mokka has a decent amount of space inside for both people and luggage – its boot should easily hold your weekly shop or a couple of holiday suitcases, for example – there are plenty of small SUVs who do the job better. In fact, both the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc which we've seen further up this list do the job better.

Plus, while the Mokka is priced in line with most rivals, it'll depreciate in value faster than most of them too.

Our favourite version 1.2 Turbo GS
List price £29,880
Target price £27,873
Target PCP £263

February sales 1513

Read our Vauxhall Mokka review