Best-selling cars in the UK: record number of EVs sold in March
In a significant month for the new car registrations, sales of EVs hit record heights, but which models sold the most?...
In a month that is traditionally important for the automotive industry, more cars were sold in the UK in March than in the same month last year, new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show.
In total, 357,103 new cars were registered in February – an increase of 12.4% compared with last year.
The numbers of private buyers and company car fleets purchasing new cars both rose by 14.5% and 11.5% respectively. Of those sales, purely electric cars accounted for 69,313 – and despite March being the biggest month ever for EV sales, they still accounted for just one-in-five new cars on the roads, trailing behind the 28% target set out by the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
March sales will have likely been boosted by the new VED Expensive Car Supplement rates that come into effect from 1 April, which now affect electric cars, too.
The Business Secretary has previously indicated that the Government may consult with car makers to ease stringent targets, ahead of the ban on new petrol and diesel cars in 2030.
Petrol remains the top choice for buyers, accounting for almost half (49.5%) of total sales, while diesel accounted for just 5.9%. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales accounted for 25.2% of total sales, up from 21.5% the year before.
But which models sold the most in March? 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
- Visibility could be better
- VW T-Roc is more comfortable and quieter
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 £27,297
Target price £23,995
Target PCP NA
March sales 11,132
Read our in-depth Ford Puma review
Our pick: 1.6T GDi 157 48V ISG 3 5dr
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
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 £29,390
Target price £26,850
Target PCP NA
March sales 7874
Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review
Strengths
- Well equipped
- Decent boot
- Efficient engines
Weaknesses
- Fiddly infotainment system
- Below-par safety rating
- Poor resale values
One of the most recognisable faces in the UK, the Vauxhall Corsa consistently sells in big numbers on the UK sales charts. And that might be because there's a version of the Corsa for everyone – even a full EV, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric.
The Corsa comes with both petrol and hybrid options. Our favourite is the 1.2-litre 99bhp petrol engine, which packs more punch than the entry-level version, and copes well with motorway speeds. That said, it's not quite as settled as an Audi A1.
Equipment is a real strong suit for the Corsa. Our recommended mid-level GS trim comes with 17in alloy wheels, electronic climate control, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, sportier styling and sports seats.
Our favourite version 1.2 Turbo 100 GS
List price £19,635
Target price £15,695
Target PCP NA
March sales 6851
Read our in-depth Vauxhall Corsa review
Our pick: 1.3 DiG-T MH N-Connecta 5dr
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, 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 £30,610
Target price £25,495
Target PCP NA
March sales 6844
Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review
Our pick: 1.0 DiG-T N-Connecta 5dr
Strengths
- Smart interior
- Good safety rating
- Lots of toys on our recommended trim
Weaknesses
- Choppy ride
- Slightly claustrophobic in the rear seats
- Disappointing fuel efficiency on hybrid version
If you want a reason to feel patriotic, then you might be pleased to hear that the Nissan Juke is one only a few cars on this list still built in the UK, alongside the Qashqai.
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 £20,995
Target PCP NA
March sales 6471
Read our in-depth Nissan Juke review
Our pick: 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG
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 make you craft for a bit more heft 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 £29,075
Target price £24,619
Target PCP NA
March sales 6447
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review
Our pick: 1.5 T-GDI PHEV SE 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Cheap yet very well equipped
- Plush interior for the price
- PHEV has impressive official electric range
Weaknesses
- MG's poor reliability record
- Pure petrol’s engine is coarse
- Compromised visibility at junctions
Perhaps the main reason why the MG HS is such a big seller is that it offers an impressive package for a very tempting price. In fact, it's so good that we named it our 2025 Plug-in Hybrid of the Year.
As you might have guessed, the PHEV is our preferred version. The petrol versions of the HS aren't quite as slick, but they're flexible enough for everyday driving. The PHEV stands out with its remarkably smooth drive and impressive all-electric range of 75 miles.
Despite its low price, the HS comes with an impressive amount of kit, including 19in alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control (adaptive cruise control if you go for the automatic gearbox) and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror as standard.
Our favourite version 1.5T Plug-in Hybrid SE
List price £24,995
Target price £22,995
Target PCP NA
March sales 6337
Read our in-depth MG HS review
Our pick: 2.5 FHEV ST-Line 5dr CVT
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
If you're thinking of buying a Ford Kuga, then expect to be spoilt for choice, as it's available with petrol, regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid engine options, as well as several trim levels.
Our favourite is the 2.5 full hybrid, which offers a nice increase in pace over the entry-level petrol version, and can pootle around town for short distances on purely electric power – which should be kind on your fuel bills.
SUV fans will appreciate the lofty driving position the Kuga offers, but the interior quality could definitely be better. We much prefer the physical controls for functions like climate control in the Hyundai Tucson over the Kuga's touchscreen.
Our favourite version 2.5 FHEV ST-Line
List price £32,095
Target price £29,699
Target PCP NA
March sales 5907
Read our in-depth Ford Kuga review
Our pick: 1.5 VTi-TECH Excite 5dr
Strengths
- Low price
- Roomy rear seats
- Standard seven-year warranty
Weaknesses
- Unsettled ride
- Road noise
- MG's reliability record
Like its HS sibling, the ZS has plenty in its favour thanks to its fantastic low price and standard equipment. Indeed, it even undercuts smaller rivals like the Ford Puma and Peugeot 2008.
With the entry-level trim, you get plenty of kit including a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen, automatic LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, climate control and keyless entry. Factor in the low fuel bills thanks to its hybrid system, and you could bag yourself a decent bargain.
That being said, we found driving the ZS to be less impressive. With its unsettled ride and noticeable amount of road noise, you'll likely be more comfortable in a Dacia Duster or Ford Puma.
Our favourite version 1.5 VTi-TECH Excite
List price £20,040
Target price £17,990
Target PCP NA
March sales 5907
Read our in-depth MG ZS review
Strengths
- Well-judged ride and handling balance
- Has a large boot and great seating flexibility
- Roomier than many rivals
Weaknesses
- Higher trims have to contend with upmarket rivals
- Option packs drive up the price
- Slightly coarse 1.5-litre petrol engine
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 £38,255
Target price £33,355
Target PCP NA
March sales 5464
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Tiguan review
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