Best-selling cars 2026: the year's 10 most popular models so far
These are officially Britain’s biggest-selling new cars so far in 2026, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
We’re now well into the second half of 2026 and the UK’s top car brands continue to fiercely battle it out, their sights set on claiming the coveted title of Britain’s best-selling car.
Unsurprisingly, hugely popular cars and previous best-sellers such as the Ford Puma and Kia Sportage are still near the top of the charts. Don’t think they’ll have an easy time staying there, though. A wave of ultra-competitive Chinese cars, like the MG HS and Jaecoo 7, are challenging for the UK market’s top spots after consistently racking up big sales numbers throughout the year so far.
In 2026, it’s clear that SUVs are the flavour of the moment, because this popular bodystyle holds six of the top 10 spots on this list, although the continued success of the MINI Cooper, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf and Tesla Model 3 show superminis, saloons and hatchbacks still have significant staying power and remain a top choice with new-car buyers.
If you’re looking to take the next step in your car-buying journey, the Auto Express Buy a Car service has plenty of great deals for you to choose from. Simply tell us what car you’re interested in and our network of trusted dealers will make their best offers. We can also help you sell your old car in the process.
How did the UK new car market perform in September 2026?
In September 2026, a total of 350,536 new cars hit UK roads, with the market growing by 12.0 per cent compared with September 2025.
Not only did September mark the tenth consecutive month of growth for the new car market, it was also the strongest September since 2017. It’s always one of the year’s most important months for car sales, being the second biannual UK number plate change.
September 2026 was also a notable month for electric cars, with demand for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) rising by 36.3 per cent to a record high volume, and boosting overall market share for the year by five percentage points to 28.3 per cent. Plug-in hybrid cars saw an even bigger increase in demand with 55.5 per cent growth compared to this time last year.
When combined, BEV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for 58.4 per cent of new car registrations in September, or 54.04 per cent for the year so far.
Petrol remains the single most popular fuel choice, taking up a market share of 37.6 per cent, while diesel cars accounted for a 4.0 per cent market share for the month.
Best-selling cars in September
The best-selling car in September was the Jaecoo 7 with a total of 10,814 models being registered.
The second best-selling car in September was the Tesla Model 3 with a total of 9,929 cars registered, while the best-selling car of the year so far, the Ford Puma, rounded out the podium places in third position with 6,958 registrations.
Top 10 best-selling cars 2026
Without further ado, here are the UK’s official best-selling cars of 2026 according to data from the SMMT.
1. Ford Puma - 42,926
- Prices from: £26,245
The Ford Puma has been the best-selling car in the UK for the past three years, but if the Puma wants to take the crown again in 2026, it’s going to have to work very hard for it.
Thankfully, the Puma has plenty of strengths. Not only is this small SUV one of the best-handling cars in its class, it’s great value for money and well equipped. What’s more, the electric Puma Gen-E qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, making it the cheapest variant in the range, too.
2. Jaecoo 7 - 39,474
- Prices from: £29,210
Jaecoo might be a relatively new entry to the UK market, but this Chinese brand is clearly hitting all the right notes with car buyers, because its 7 SUV has become a very common sight on UK roads.
Why is the Jaecoo 7 so popular? It’s because this stylish SUV squares up to premium competitors such as the BMW X1 and MINI Countryman, comes loaded with lots of kit as standard and has plenty of space. What’s even more attractive is the starting price of around £29,000 and incredibly tempting finance offers.
With almost 40,000 cars registered so far this year alone, we suspect you’re going to see quite a few 7s on UK roads in the future. But could this be the car that takes the 2026 top spot from the Ford Puma? It’s certainly within striking distance.
3. Kia Sportage - 37,085
- Prices from: £31,395
Having just missed out on the overall best-seller crown in both 2024 and 2025, the Kia Sportage remains an incredibly popular family car. So far in 2026 it remains well within striking distance of the Ford Puma and Jaecoo 7 in first and second position.
The fifth-generation Sportage has been around since 2021, although an update in 2024 has helped keep this mid-size SUV fresh and up-to-date with rivals. Its eye-catching looks, comfortable ride and attractive seven-year/100,000-mile warranty are clearly a hit with the car buyers.
4. Nissan Qashqai - 33,082
- Prices from: £31,145
- Commended at the 2026 Auto Express New Car Awards
Think of mid-size SUVs and the chances are the Nissan Qashqai will be among the first cars to spring to mind. Besides, it’s been a pretty common sight on UK roads since the first-generation car hit UK roads around two decades ago.
The latest Qashqai is arguably the best yet. While it does have some pretty bold styling, it retains familiarity where it matters with the usual solid build and practical cabin. Opt for the clever e-Power hybrid engine and you’ll be driving around in one of the best SUVs money can buy.
5. Vauxhall Corsa - 27,390
- Prices from: £20,590
It’s safe to say that Britain loves an SUV, but the plucky Vauxhall Corsa is leading the way for supermini sales.
The Corsa is one of the most recognisable names on UK roads, and with such a wide variety of choice when it comes to trim, kit and powertrains, it’s easy to see why. Thanks to a starting price from around £20,000, it’s great value for money too.
6. Volkswagen Golf - 26,702
- Prices from: £29,040
- Golf GTI named Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year 2026
While SUVs are the flavour of the moment, the humble hatchback is still a sought-after bodystyle and the Volkswagen Golf is proof of that.
The eighth-generation car had a few niggles, which weren’t too popular with buyers, but a recent facelift aimed to right these wrongs. Gone are the annoying haptic control panels and the fiddly tech has mostly been ironed out.
Whatever you want in a car, chances are there’s a Golf to suit your needs. From a simple family runaround to a fire-breathing hot hatchback, this long-standing model remains a firm favourite.
7. MG HS - 26,653
- Prices from: £27,495
- Auto Express Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2026
MG as a brand is going from strength to strength in the UK, and the new MG HS is proof that good-value, economical, well equipped and spacious cars are a winning formula with UK buyers.
Available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure-petrol powertrains, the HS has a starting price of well under £28,000. Combine this with a very practical cabin and a generously sized boot, it’s a car which really stands out in a crowded market.
What further sweetens the deal is the fact the HS was crowned our 2026 Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, not to mention the attraction of MG’s long seven-year/80,000-mile warranty as standard, too.
8. MINI Cooper - 23,724
- Prices from: £24,735
It’s undeniable that since BMW relaunched the modern-day MINI Cooper in the early 2000s, it has been a great sales success. All you have to do is look around a packed car park and chances are you’ll spot a new MINI…or three.
The current fourth-generation MINI Cooper is arguably the best iteration yet, offering a great combination of premium quality and desirability at a competitive starting price of well under £25,000. There’s a choice of punchy electric or petrol power, but whichever version you opt for, you’ll have one of the best-handling cars at your fingertips.
Practicality isn't the Cooper’s strongest point, but the 210-litre boot should easily swallow the weekly shop or a few overnight bags. You can also get the Cooper in a five-door configuration, which boosts versatility further.
9. Tesla Model 3 - 23,704
- Prices from: £37,990
- Driver Power Award 2026
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most-popular electric cars on UK roads, and thanks to its combination of impressive tech, great range and competitive pricing, it’s not difficult to see why.
With fuel prices sky-high, the Model 3 should provide low running costs thanks to its efficient batteries and powertrains across the line-up. According to Tesla, opt for the Model 3 Long Range and you’ll be able to travel up to 466 miles on a single charge. The ace up the Model 3’s sleeve is that you’ll also have access to Tesla’s expansive Supercharging network as well.
The Model 3 can take family life in its stride. Boot space is great at 594 litres, beating arch-rivals like the BMW i4 and BYD Seal by 124 litres and 194 litres respectively. Plus, there’s even under-bonnet storage at the front which is great for carrying small bags. Passengers shouldn’t be squeezed for space in the back or front, either.
10. Volvo XC40 - 23,655
- Prices from: £38,920
If you’re after a small SUV that’s big on style, then look no further than the Volvo XC40.
It might be one of the smallest cars Volvo sells but there’s more space than you might expect given the car’s 4.4-metre length. Getting comfy up front is straightforward, even for tall passengers, while in the rear there should be enough room for three adults side-by-side.
The Isofix child seat anchor points are easy to access, and the spacious 443-litre boot helps make it an ideal car for young families.
Throw in a stellar reputation for safety, a range of punchy (if not class-leadingly frugal) engines, and competitive pricing from under £37,000, and it’s not hard to see why this Volvo has become a hit with the UK car buying public.
Sales vs registrations: inside the numbers
There’s an important distinction to be made where the UK’s monthly and annual ‘car sales’ figures are concerned. Namely, that they don’t actually count the number of cars sold in the sense that many people might expect. The numbers provided by the SMMT are for car ‘registrations’ rather than being sales figures.
When customers buy a new car, it is registered before it can be driven on the road, but cars are also registered by manufacturers and dealers before they have a customer to go to.
This practice of processing pre-registered cars is done for various reasons, but often the goal is to move stock through the supply chain, avoiding bottlenecks or to hit targets. It means that a significant proportion of the cars in the figures could be pre-registered, and estimates of how many range between 10 and 20 per cent.
2026 new car registrations: year to date
The table below shows the total number of registrations so far in 2026, broken down by fuel type and overall market share.
| Fuel type | Total registrations | Market share |
| Battery Electric Vehicles | 454,947 | 26.16% |
| Hybrid cars | 240,255 | 13.81% |
| Plug-in hybrid cars | 244,769 | 14.07% |
| All petrol cars | 721,617 | 41.49% |
| All diesel cars | 77,683 | 4.47% |
| Total | 1,739,271 |
Tell us which new car you’re interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare...
