The top 10 most popular cars in the UK

As a result, so far in 2024, 1,006,763 new cars have been registered, up 6% on the previous year.

This consecutive growth suggests more people are buying and selling cars in the UK. 

Electrified vehicle uptake continued to grow robustly in June, with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) volumes up 30% to reach a 9.3% market share, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) rose 27.2% to achieve 14.9% of the market.

Both powertrains also outpaced battery electric vehicle growth (BEV), which rose 7.4% but took its highest monthly share this year, accounting for 19% of all new vehicle registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "The year’s midpoint sees the new car market in its best state since 2021 – but this belies the bigger challenge ahead.

"The private consumer market continues to shrink against a difficult economic backdrop, but with the right policies in place, the next government can re-energise the market and deliver a faster, fairer zero emission transition.

"All parties are agreed on the need to cut carbon and replacing older fossil fuel based technologies with new electrified powertrains is the essential step to achieving that goal."

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Top 10 best-selling cars in the UK 2024

Ford's popular small SUV, the Puma, is easy to drive, comfortable and practical with a large boot. The Puma is also cheap to run thanks to petrol hybrid technology that keeps fuel costs down. Little wonder, perhaps, it's so popular with car buyers in Britian.

Read our full Ford Puma review.

Easy to drive, stylish and backed by a seven-year-warranty, the Kia Sportage is a serious player in the family SUV market. All versions are spacious and comfortable, while Kia’s impressive range of petrol hybrid powertrains make the Sportage rewarding to drive and affordable to run.

Read our full Kia Sportage review.

Popular with family car buyers, the Nissan Qashqai is one of the UK's favourite SUVs. Now in its third generation, the Qashqai is better than ever before. The interior is spacious, and the high levels of refinement make the Qashqai perfect for high mileage drivers who want a class leading family car at a price they can afford.

Read our full Nissan Qashqai review.

The original small supermini-derived SUV, the Nissan Juke is a worthy rival to the Ford Puma thanks to its eye-catching style and driver-friendly cabin. Most buyers choose their Juke with Nissan’s excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, while the 1.6-litre hybrid is popular with drivers who want their Juke with a dose of performance.

Read our full Nissan Juke review.

The Audi A3 firmly established the premium compact class in 1996. Now, more than a quarter of a century later, the latest generation of this highly successful model is increasing in popularity again.

Read our full Audi A3 review.

The Volkswagen Golf is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and remains one of Britain's most popular cars for people of all ages.

Read our full Volkswagen Golf review.

The arrival of the all-new BMW 1 Series heralds the dawn of a new era for this successful model that has consistently combined handling excellence, practicality, technology and quality.

Read our full BMW 1 Series review.

The new MG HS builds on oits hugely popular large SUV with an extensive redesign featuring a sharper, more aggressive appearance. 

Read our full MG HS review.