Best-selling cars in the UK: new car market falls in February

The latest Mini Cooper can be had with 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.

It's the electric version which we think will suit most buyers best, but we'd recommend that you go for the larger of the two battery options on offer. That's because in entry level Cooper E form, the car only receives a 36.6kWh battery which offers an official range of 190 miles, which is rather short. Go for our recommended Cooper SE model, though, and that figure is boosted to a much more usable 250 miles.

Inside, you'll find a minimalist dashboard dominated by a rounded infotainment screen, which also acts as your main source of driving data – but there's also a head-up display which puts the most vital information right into your line of sight.

Being a small car, you won't be expecting acres of space in the Mini, but even by the standards of the class it's pretty tiny, especially in the rear seats. Plus, where most small cars offer three rear seats, the Mini Cooper only has two.

Our favourite version Cooper SE Classic

List price £29,905
Target price £29,905
Target PCP NA

February sales 2074

Read our in-depth Mini Cooper review

Our reigning Executive Car of the Year is good to drive and practical enough to suit most familes. It's also fast, with its single electric motor allowing the Model 3 to sprint to 60mph in a rapid 5.8 seconds – quicker than a Hyundai Ioniq 6 can manage.

Range is also a high point, with the RWD model officially able to cover up to 318 miles between charges, and Long Range versions upping that figure to 390 miles. And when you do need to recharge, Tesla's super-fast and reliable Superchargers can replenish the Model 3's batteries quickly.

While your rear-seat passengers will find they have more room to stretch out in the larger VW ID 7, the Model 3 has decent space for six-footers, and we managed to split an impressive nine carry-on suitcases between its front and rear boots.

Our favourite version RWD

List price £39,990
Target price £39,990
Target PCP NA

February sales 1990

Read our in-depth Tesla Model 3 review

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 RWD

List price £46,990
Target price £46,990
Target PCP NA

February sales 1861

Read our in-depth Tesla Model Y review

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 150 Life

List price £28,150
Target price £28,150
Target PCP NA

February sales 1688

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review

Competition among family SUVs has never been hotter, but the Volkswagen Tiguan covers off many of the bases which SUV buyers care about – even if it doesn't change the game in any one particular area.

It's available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power, and we reckon the 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine will suit most buyers the best. It's punchy enough for most situations, and benefits from mild hybrid technology designed to help lower your fuel bills.

You'll find a comfy driving position inside, along with materials which feel like they'll stand up well to the rigours of family life. It's just a shame that some of the controls aren't easier to get along with, such as the touch-sensitive pads you use to change the temperature.

You can fit more into the Tiguan's boot than you can in most rival family SUVs – just be aware that, as is often the case, choosing a plug-in hybrid version does mean you sacrifice some of that space to the car's battery.

Our favourite version 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 

List price £37,750
Target price £31,195
Target PCP NA
February sales 1635

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Tiguan review

If you want a reason to feel patriotic, then you might be pleased to hear that the Nissan Juke is one only a f. And it follows in its larger sibling’s footsteps by setting the standard for many of the small SUVs we see today.

The Juke offers everything you’d expect it to: a lofty driving position and small, economical engines, all at an accessible price. Our favourite engine, the entry-level 112bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, isn’t the fastest we’ve ever tested, but it pulls strongly enough and should prove pretty frugal.

That said, it’s not particularly comfortable to drive, and it doesn’t offer the same level of fun as the Ford Puma does. In fact, even the Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Roc are more composed. Where the Juke does excel is inside, where it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel and the lofty driving position gives a nice view of the road ahead.

Our favourite version 1.0 DiG-T 114 N-Connecta

List price £25,500
Target price £22,229
Target PCP NA

February sales 1623

Read our in-depth Nissan Juke review

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, and it’s a main rival of the best-selling Kia Sportage.

Like with the Sportage, our favourite version 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 £31,905
Target price £26,476
Target PCP NA

February sales 1527

Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review

It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the Kia Sportage – in fact, we liked it so much we named it our Family SUV of the Year. Not only is it spacious and exceedingly practical, it also offers great value at a very reasonable price.

Our favourite engine is the 1.6-litre petrol, which is assisted by mild hybrid power to keep your fuel bills low. It pumps out 157bhp, and has more than enough oomph for everyday driving, so you won’t feel out of depth at motorway speeds.

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 mild hybrid models undercutting the likes of the Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson.

Our favourite version 1.6T GDi 3

List price £33,390
Target price £30,499
Target PCP NA

February sales 1516

Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review

Despite being launched back in 2018, the Volvo XC40 remains one of the best-selling family SUVs. 

In fact, it's popularity is a testament to its talents, because it's a stylish and immensely practical offering, with spacious back seats and a large, square-shaped boot. The interior is smart yet very plush, with a great mix of high-end plastics, leather and metal or wood inlays. Only the similarly priced Genesis GV70 and Range Rover Evoque can match it.

Over the years, Volvo has slimmed down the XC40's engine line-up. As such, we now think the entry-level B3 is the best option for it. It consists of a 161bhp mild hybrid 2.0-litre petrol engine that provides flexible performance, with 0-62mph taking 8.6 seconds. It's noticeably gutsier than the 1.5-litre mild hybrid engine you get in the VW Tiguan.

Our favourite version B3 Plus

List price £45,900
Target price £43,900
Target PCP NA

February sales 1485

Read our in-depth Volvo XC40 review

As the most popular car of 2024 and a former What Car? Car of the Year, it comes as no surprise that the Ford Puma continues to sell in big numbers. In fact, we think it’s 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, too.

Our favourite version 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 ST-Line

List price £28,050
Target price £25m143
Target PCP NA

February sales 1466

Read our in-depth Ford Puma review

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