Ford Puma review – a fun-to-drive small SUV
The best-selling cars in the UK 2024
We’re now into September 2024, and the figures are in for the best-selling cars of the year so far
Summer is drawing to a close and it’s already September, which means the UK car sales figures for August 2024 have now been released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader (SMMT). August is traditionally a quiet month for new car sales with buyers preferring to wait until September for the plate change, and the SMMT says sales stayed fairly stable dipping by only 1.3%. Fleet sales are driving the market, accounting for six out of every 10 cars purchased last month.
Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2024 - the winners
Continuing a trend established over the past few years, SUVs remain the dominant seller here in the UK, claiming all but a couple of the spots on this list. The Ford Puma continues its streak as the best-selling car of 2024 so far, with 32,263 examples snapped up and counting, and was also the top-selling car for August alone with 2,471 units shifted. The Kia Sportage is the second-best seller with 30,100 units sold, while the Nissan Qashqai remains the third best-seller so far with 27,684 examples sold. Interestingly, there are no fully electric vehicles in the top 10 best-sellers of the year so far, but the Tesla Model 3 was the third best-seller for August alone, with 1,542 sold, while the Tesla Model Y wasn’t far behind in fifth place with 1,469 units shifted.
Electric cars now make up over 17.2% of new car registrations, up from 16.4% this time last year, driven largely by fleet sales. While it’s encouraging to see more drivers behind the wheel of an EV, few of these sales are to private buyers, and manufacturers are calling for the reintroduction of incentives to encourage more people to make the switch.
Recent years of global supply chain and manufacturing issues and the rise in the cost of living saw new car sales dip, but this seems to be over, with an increase of 5.1% in new car sales overall compared to a year earlier; a total of 1,238,855 new cars have been sold this year so far. Pure petrol models still make up 50.7% of new car purchases in August, although this is a 5.0% decrease in market share overall compared to August 2023.
While higher bills continue to put the squeeze on people’s wallets, fuel-sipping self-charging hybrids have seen a sharp 36.1% rise in sales compared to August last year, and they make up 13.8% of August 2024 sales, which is 3.8% more than a year ago. The sales of plug-in hybrid models have also increased by 12.3%, taking 6.8% of the market share in August 2024 – a marginal uplift of around 1.1% since August 2023.
The decline of the diesel car market continues, with a 13% decrease in sales year-to-date, and comprising only 6.1% of new cars sold in August, 0.4% less than last year in the same period.
If you’re interested in making the switch to plug-in power, why not read our list of the best electric cars? Our guide to the best small cars and superminis also showcases the best options available if you’re looking for something compact and easy to park. Keep reading for the UK’s best-selling cars in 2024, according to the SMMT…
UK sales year-to-date: 32,263
The best-selling car of 2023 was the Ford Puma, and it had a strong start in the first months of 2024, snatching the top spot as the best seller early on. It’s based on the now-discontinued Fiesta, but that car’s cancellation last year made way for the higher-riding Puma, and it’s safe to say that strategy is working for Ford.
The Puma offers much of what we loved about the Fiesta, namely its sporty driving experience, albeit with popular small-SUV styling and more practicality. Configure the Puma with one of Ford’s feisty, yet frugal 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines as well as an automatic gearbox and you’ll have yourself one of the best-handling small SUVs around. We’d go for the sporty-looking ST-Line model as this gets a sharply-styled bodykit as well as built-in sat nav and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which changes appearance depending on which drive mode you’re in.
UK sales year-to-date: 30,100
The days of the family hatchback look to be well and truly behind us and mainstays such as the Ford Focus have been replaced in the best-sellers list with of-the-moment SUVs like the Kia Sportage. Offering much more space than the average hatchback, the Sportage’s 591-litre boot should be able to swallow even the largest of prams. The interior is loaded with tech, too, such as an easy-to-use infotainment system and USB-C sockets built into the front seats, thus preventing those in the rear from bickering over who gets to charge their device.
Unlike the Kia Niro, the Sportage isn’t available with a fully-electric powertrain, but it can still be had with either petrol, self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. While the plug-in hybrid will surely appeal to company car drivers thanks to its 43-mile range and low 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax rating, we’d recommend the smooth and reasonably powerful self-charging hybrid if you can afford it over the standard mild-hybrid petrol.
UK sales year-to-date: 27,684
Built in Sunderland, the Nissan Qashqai was the best-selling car of 2022, and for 2023 it came in second place just ahead of its mid-size SUV rivals – it got off to a good start in the first quarter of 2024, too, coming in second place, but has since fallen to third. The latest Qashqai is an evolution of the original which made its debut back in 2007, offering a stylish exterior and spacious interior with enough room for most families. The Qashqai gets Nissan’s latest infotainment setup which is responsive and easy to use, while mid-spec Tekna cars even get fully-digital dials.
Performance from the two 1.3-litre petrol engines can be described as ‘adequate’ – it’s Nissan’s e-Hybrid powertrain that really steals the show. This utilises a 1.5-litre petrol engine to power an electric motor, providing the same smooth driving experience as an EV. This comes as a benefit to fuel economy, too; the Qashqai e-Hybrid is claimed to return an impressive 53.3mpg on the WLTP test for combined city and motorway driving. The Qashqai is another car that’s just undergone a facelift this year, which brings front-end styling inspired by traditional Japanese warrior armour that should help this popular SUV stand out a little more.
UK sales year-to-date: 23,482
The Volkswagen Golf has been a household name for almost half a century now, and the latest model offers a polished drive and improved engines over the model that came before it, making it a compelling choice. Sales are expected to be buoyed by a recent facelift, which hit the market in July 2024.
The latest Golf feels more agile and nimble to drive than the old model, but also strikes a good balance of comfort. Frustrating infotainment and some quality cuts aside, the latest Golf’s interior is more modern and unique than it was before. There’s a long list of trim levels, though most people will be best catered-for with the entry-level Life model that gets 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and even driver assistance features like front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and road sign display. Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models are all available, as are sporty GTI and R models for the hot-hatch enthusiasts, so most bases are covered.
UK sales year-to-date: 22,702
The Nissan Juke has long been a popular car since the first-generation model hit the scene and kickstarted the trend for small SUVs. The most recent model is a big improvement over the one that came before it, and it’s now the fifth best-selling car of 2024, so it’s still a hit with buyers.
One of the biggest improvements for the latest Nissan Juke over its predecessor is the driving experience – it’s sharper and more responsive than ever before, with the same underpinnings as the Renault Clio – one of our favourite small cars. Nissan offers the Juke for a competitive price, which only helps its popularity, and it’s fairly well-equipped. All models get LED headlights, cruise control, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity, but it’s worth paying a little extra and springing for mid-range Acenta to get the eight-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The facelifted model gets even more tech as standard compared to before, along with a sporty N-Sport trim level and bold colour options to help it stand out.
UK sales year-to-date: 21,680
The Audi A3 crept into the best-sellers list in 10th place by the end of November 2023, and continues with strong sales well into 2024. The A3 has long set the template for premium hatchbacks, still managing to compete in a market increasingly dominated by small SUVs. It’s currently battling it out with its close rival, the BMW 1 Series, which also features on this list.
The latest iteration of the Audi A3 is a little more daring than its predecessors in terms of its design, coming in a choice of three trim levels: Sport, S Line and Black Edition – the latter two of which offer an even sportier look that stands out in the crowd. There’s also a saloon version of the A3 that’s a much smaller seller, but evokes a slightly more grown-up, executive feel. The A3 comes with plenty of gadgetry on the inside, with a hi-tech, upmarket interior with an advanced digital dash and infotainment system angled towards the driver, giving it a cockpit-like setup. A wide variety of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid ‘TFSIe’ powertrains means Audi A3 buyers are well catered for.
UK sales year-to-date: 20,297
After a strong month of sales in August 2024, the Hyundai Tucson has landed in seventh spot for the best-selling cars of the year, nudging ahead of the MG HS. The facelifted Hyundai Tucson has reached UK dealerships at last, so its impressive month of sales is probably down to a big push from dealers to get the last of the pre-facelift cars out the door with enticing deals and discounts.
There’s lots to like about the Hyundai Tucson; for starters, it’s great to drive and strikes a good balance of comfort, too. There’s little body lean to speak of through the corners, and even at low speeds, it feels nimble and easy to manoeuvre. It comes with a choice of petrol and hybrid engines which offer great fuel economy, which is also a big part of its appeal. Despite Hyundai’s origins as a budget brand, the Tucson also boasts an attractive interior with lots of equipment, so it’s no wonder it’s proving popular.
UK sales year-to-date: 20,090
The MG HS didn’t appear in the best-selling cars list for 2023 overall, but it’s currently the eighth best-selling car of 2024. MG is a brand known for its great value for money, and clearly this is resonating with buyers in the market for an affordable family SUV who have gone for the HS. An all-new second-generation MG HS due to go on sale imminently with an equally affordable price tag, so its run of strong sales is expected to continue.
Admittedly, the MG HS doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to the mid-size SUV formula, and although its petrol engines are fairly thirsty and simple, there is a plug-in hybrid version that does a better job in this respect. However, the MG HS’s appeal really lies in its impressively generous amount of standard kit for the price. All cars get a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, folding door mirrors, a rear-view camera and parking sensors, while Trophy models add niceties such as leather heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and an upgraded stereo for a little extra.
UK sales year-to-date: 19,542
The Volkswagen T-Roc is proving the best-selling of the brand’s wide spectrum of SUVs, and it’s currently the ninth best-selling car of 2024 having edged past the BMW 1 Series in August 2024. While it might not be such a well-established household name, it shares lots with the iconic Volkswagen Golf which also features on this list, but adds a higher ride, slightly more rugged looks and increased practicality – all reasons for it to sell well.
We think the Volkswagen T-Roc is good to drive, with eager steering, good levels of grip and little body lean despite its SUV stance. It offers a great all-round balance of comfort and driveability, which will keep a wide variety of buyers happy. It’s got a fairly spacious interior and good-sized boot, and its raised ride makes it even easier to get in and out of than a Golf, and we liked the many clever storage options dotted around the cabin.
UK sales year-to-date: 19,538
After the undeniable sales success of SUVs in recent times, it’s almost strange to see a couple of premium hatchbacks in this list, but the BMW 1 Series has proven a strong seller so far in 2024. The 1 Series holds plenty of badge appeal and offers a high-quality interior, the promise of great driving dynamics and improved practicality over the old model.
When it was introduced in 2019, the third-generation BMW 1 Series caused some controversy among enthusiasts, changing from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. There was a fear that this could make it less satisfying in the handling department, but it also meant BMW could free up more boot and rear passenger space. The great news is that the latest 1 Series actually feels brilliant to drive regardless, and might even be more suited to the average driver than before. It still offers a range of punchy petrol or diesel engines and slick gearboxes, and its interior is well built, well equipped and the infotainment is more advanced than ever. A facelift for the BMW 1 Series was recently unveiled, helping to rejuvenate the model and attract even more buyers.
Want to know what our favourite new cars are? Check out the winners of our 2024 Carbuyer Best Car Awards
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