These were the best-selling cars of 2023
The new car market experienced a positive year in 2023, with new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showing that registrations grew by 17.9 per cent to top out at more than 1.9 million new cars on the UK’s roads.
Though private and business registrations fell, it was the large fleet segment which saw significant rises in demand with 54.7 of all registrations going to this area. There were also some surprising changes in the list of best-selling cars, too, so let’s check them out.
Ford Puma - 49,451 registrations
Ford might’ve axed the famous Fiesta, but it’s the Puma which has certainly taken up the mantle as the Blue Oval’s most popular new car. This crossover has consistently featured in the monthly list of best-sellers and, as a result, has come out on top for 2023.
First introduced in 2020, the Puma has only gone from strength to strength, with close to 50,000 examples registered during the last 12 months alone.
Nissan Qashqai - 43,321
Nissan’s Qashqai took the top spot in 2022, but it has dropped back to second in 2023. Still, it has had an impressive year with 43,321 examples registered in the last 12 months.
The Qashqai continues to be a Sunderland-built model and remains one of the UK’s biggest exports. The latest model, with its hybrid running and spacious interior, continues to be a big hit with families.
Vauxhall Corsa - 40,816
The Corsa has always been a firm favourite here in the UK and 2023 showed that popularity continuing. Though it fell a place in the standings compared with 2022, Corsa sales actually grew by around 5,000 to reach just over 40,000 by the year’s close.
A recent update has sharpened the look of the Corsa, while the electric version now brings a range of 246 miles, making it one of the most competitive cars range-wise for its price.
Kia Sportage - 36,135
Kia continued on an upward trend in 2023, with its Sportage remaining as one of the brand’s key models. It climbed two places during the year, in fact, coming just one shy of the top three. Loads of equipment and an impressive warranty make the Sportage a stand-out choice for families, too.
Kia offers the Sportage with a good variety of engine options as well, with both regular and plug-in hybrids available.
Tesla Model Y - 35,899
Tesla’s overall sales actually dipped in the UK during 2023, though demand remained strong for its Model Y SUV and caused it to become the sole electric-only model to enter this year’s top 10.
Buyers love the Model Y’s tech-heavy approach, with its huge central screen containing some of the latest tech available in a car today. Access to Tesla’s widespread and reliable Supercharger network is another true plus-point.
Hyundai Tucson - 34,469
Hyundai’s Tucson is another regular in the monthly list of best-selling cars, which is why it comes as no surprise to find it in the yearly round-up of the most popular models. It was Hyundai’s most popular car in 2023, in fact, and accounted for nearly 40 per cent of its total UK sales.
Hyundai really shook things up with the styling of the Tucson, giving it a space-age design which really looks quite different to anything else available in the segment.
Mini - 33,483
This year is going to be a big one for Mini - a new incarnation of the famous hatchback arrives, bringing a radically altered design and an even greater focus on electrification. However, that car’s arrival hasn’t altered the popularity of the ‘current’ version, with just under 33,500 examples being registered during 2023.
Though it did fall two places in the outright rankings, overall sales for this retro-infused model grew, showing that there’s still plenty of demand for this current-generation Mini hatch.
Nissan Juke - 31,745
The Nissan Juke was, in fact, a new entry into the top 10 for 2023 with 31,475 examples being registered within the UK. Like the larger Qashqai, this is another Sunderland-built Nissan an it’s one which remains a key option for drivers after a more compact option.
The addition of a hybrid-powered model a few years ago has helped boost the Juke’s popularity, but it’s this car’s funky styling and cleverly packaged interior which really makes this model shine.
Audi A3 - 30,159
Though significant growth has been seen in the crossover and compact SUV segments, the same can’t be said for hatchbacks as buyers tail off from entering this area of the market in favour of more high-riding models. Cars like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra have all been absent from this year’s top 10 list. The Audi A3, however, is one hatchback which has bucked the trend.
Though set for an update this year, the current A3’s high-quality interior and efficient engine choices continue to make it a popular option for lots of drivers.
Vauxhall Mokka - 29,984
Completing this year’s list is the Vauxhall Mokka. A more spacious alternative to Vauxhall’s Corsa, the Mokka is the car which helped to introduce a brand new design approach for the company with the eye-catching ‘Vizor’ front grille being incorporated into the latest Mokka’s design.
It’s a look which has since been applied across the rest of the Vauxhall range, too, transforming this firm’s appearance completely.
