The most popular company cars in the UK

The fleet car market represents a big chunk of new car registrations in the UK each year, but which models are the most popular choices for company car drivers?

Below we list the 10 most popular cars by fleet registrations based on the SMMT's figures for January 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023.

Read more fleet and company car advice

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Number of registrations 14,682
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version 1.0 TSI Life
List price £26,440
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £127.83
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £255.58

The only family car on this list has been a strong seller for eight generations for a reason. The Volkswagen Golf is comfortable, good to drive and available with a wide range of engines (including the 242bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol in the iconic VW Golf GTI hot hatch). There are cheaper rivals that can do the same for less though.

Pros

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

Cons

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

Number of registrations 15,181
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version 1.0 DiG-T 114 Visia
List price £20,675
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £106.83
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £213.67

When it was first launched, the Nissan Juke was an early sign of SUVs' impending domination of the car market, and it has been a big seller ever since. The second-generation model gained a hybrid option and a bigger boot, and we like the smart interior, but it's worth considering other small SUVs before you commit.

Pros

• Smart interior
• Good safety rating
• Lots of toys on our recommended trim

Cons

• Choppy ride
• So-so infotainment system
• Hybrid isn't as fuel efficient as a Toyota Yaris Cross

Number of registrations 15,710
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version 1.5 EcoBoost 150 Vignale
List price £32,270
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £211.17
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £422.42

Company car drivers considering the Ford Kuga would be wise to take a look at the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, because it should bring down your BIK tax considerably compared with the non-PHEVs. It also impressed our road testers as being one of the better-handling PHEV SUVs. The boot is smaller than many rivals' though.

Pros

• Competitively priced against rivals
• Plug-in hybrid offers a long electric range and low company car tax
• FHEV hybrid is cheaper than equivalent diesel, yet has similar economy

Cons

• Interior quality doesn't impress
• Relatively small boot
• Infotainment system isn't the slickest

Number of registrations 17,258
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version 1.6 TGDi SE Connect
List price £30,800
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £178.67
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £359.33

Like the closely related Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson has a high-tech engine range featuring various types of hybrids to help you keep fuel costs down. It also has a big boot, lots of passenger space and a smart interior. You also get plenty of standard equipment on all versions.

Pros

• Frugal hybrid is a worthy alternative to diesel
• Well-made interior
• Spacious for passengers and luggage

Cons

• So-so handling
• Ride can get choppy at times
• No sliding rear seats

Number of registrations 17,616
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version 1.5 T-GDI SE
List price £22,795
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £140.58
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £281.17

This big SUV gives you a lot for your money. As well as a big interior and boot, the MG HS comes with plenty of standard equipment, including front and rear parking sensors (handy with such a big car), built-in sat-nav and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.

Pros

• Cheap yet very well equipped
• Plush interior
• Good ride and handling balance

Cons

• Small boot by class standards
• Coarse engine
• Laggy infotainment system

Number of registrations 19,035
What Car? rating 3/5
Cheapest version 1.2 Turbo 100 Design (petrol)
List price £22,395
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £117.92
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £235.83

Like the Vauxhall Corsa, the Vauxhall Mokka small SUV comes with traditional 1.2-litre petrol engines with various power outputs or as an electric SUV, the Vauxhall Mokka Electric. Also like the Corsa, our road testers have given it a three-star rating, so we think it's wise to consider whether other models meet your needs better before committing.

Pros

• Impressive refinement
• Well equipped
• Pretty comfortable

Cons

• Cheap feeling interior
• Mediocre boot space
• Not particularly sharp to drive

Number of registrations 19,611
What Car? rating 3/5
Cheapest version 1.2 Design (petrol)
List price £19,360
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £93.58
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £187.67

The Vauxhall Corsa has been one of the UK's most popular models for years, offering low-costs motoring to small car buyers. And now its available not only with a choice of 1.2-litre petrol engines, but also in all-electric form, as the Vauxhall Corsa Electric. It's a solid choice if you can get a good deal, but we think there are better rivals out there.

Pros

• Well equipped
• Petrol versions get a decent boot
• Electric variant relatively well priced

Cons

• Laggy and confusing infotainment system
• Below-par Euro NCAP safety rating
• Rivals are better to drive

Number of registrations 19,883
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version RWD
List price £44,935
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £15
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £30

The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV that takes many of the qualities of the Tesla Model 3 but combines them with a bit more interior space and a higher driving position. Performance is quick and the official range varies from 283 miles to 331 miles, depending on the version you choose.

Pros

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

Cons

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

Number of registrations 20,875
What Car? rating 5/5
Cheapest version 1.6T GDi 2
List price £29,045
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £164.58
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £329.17

As a category winner at our 2023 Car of the Year Awards, the Kia Sportage is top of its class right now. It gives you plenty of practicality at a competitive price, and is also available with a wide choice of engines, including a mild hybrid (MHEV) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Pros

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

Cons

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

Number of registrations 22,524
What Car? rating 4/5
Cheapest version 1.3 Visia
List price £26,820
Monthly BIK tax at 20% £147.50
Monthly BIK tax at 40% £295

The immensely popular Nissan Qashqai has long been a big seller, so it's no surprise to see that it's a favourite with company car drivers too. Our road testers have been impressed by its smart interior and great driving position, but if you're looking for a fun-to-drive model, there are other strong contenders to consider.

Pros

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

Cons

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

Read more fleet and company car advice

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here