The final figures for 2025 are in, and for the third year running, the Ford Puma has secured its spot as the UK’s favourite new car. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the compact crossover outpaced its rivals in a year that saw the British car market surpass two million sales for the first time since 2019.
While the Puma dominated the overall charts, 2025 was a year of shifting gears for the industry, marked by a massive surge in hybrid sales and the arrival of disruptive new brands.
The Top 10 Best-Sellers of 2025
British buyers continue to favour SUVs and crossovers, with eight of the top ten models falling into these categories.
| Rank | Model | Units Sold |
| 1 | Ford Puma | 55,488 |
| 2 | Kia Sportage | 47,788 |
| 3 | Nissan Qashqai | 41,141 |
| 4 | Vauxhall Corsa | 35,947 |
| 5 | Nissan Juke | 34,773 |
| 6 | Volkswagen Golf | 32,478 |
| 7 | Volvo XC40 | 30,404 |
| 8 | MG HS | 30,191 |
| 9 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 29,857 |
| 10 | Hyundai Tucson | 28,613 |
Key Trends: Hybrids and New Arrivals
The 2025 data reveals a significant shift in how we power our journeys. While petrol remains the most common fuel type, its market share dropped to 46.4%.
The real winners were Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), which saw sales soar by nearly 35%, and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which now account for nearly a quarter of all new registrations. The Tesla Model Y remained the UK’s best-selling electric car, though it slipped out of the overall top ten list this year.
Perhaps the biggest story of 2025 is the “Chinese Wave.” Brands like BYD saw growth of over 480%, while the Jaecoo 7—a newcomer to the British market—stunned analysts by becoming the most popular leased car of the year and briefly hitting the #4 spot in monthly registrations.
Brand Performance
Volkswagen maintained its position as the UK’s most popular brand for the fifth consecutive year, followed by BMW and Ford. Despite the Puma’s individual success, Ford as a brand continues to navigate a smaller, more focused lineup following the retirement of the Fiesta.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I love to hear from you. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
Sources:
