Britain’s best-selling cars for 2022

The best-selling cars in Britain in 2022 reveal the rise of Nissan Qashqai to the top of sales after 24 years, and Tesla tipping the scales

A list of best-selling cars is always a great way to gauge consumer trends, as who would have guessed that any Tesla product would be more popular than any Ford model? In fact, with electric vehicle sales rising 40% in 2022, we’ll see big changes in the most popular cars over the next few years. The Nissan Qashqai was the best-selling car in Britain.

New car registration figures for 2022 released by the Association of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that after a year full of twists and turns, the Nissan Qashqai achieved the biggest sales in Britain. Where manufacturers and customers alike faced unprecedented challenges during 2022, as the high cost of living hindered many potential buyers, and on the other hand, the shortage of semiconductors led to problems in the supply of new cars.

Best selling cars are also useful if you are looking to buy used. After all, lots of new sales mean lots of used cars making their way into the used car market, after the three-year lease expires. At the end of 2022, the best-selling Ford Fiesta managed to return to the top ten, but its overall success pales in comparison to its biggest competitor, the Opel Corsa.

Tesla also enjoyed a spike in last-minute sales in the latter part of 2022, with the Model Y becoming Britain’s third best seller overall. And according to the numbers, we present to you the list of the best-selling cars in the UK for the entire year 2022. The figures come from all vehicle sales registrations for January to December 2022 and have been related by the Association of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Best selling cars in the UK for 2022

• Nissan Qashqai
• Opel Corsa
• Sale Model Way
• Ford Puma
• Minnie
• Kia Sportage
• Hyundai Tucson
• Volkswagen Golf
• Ford Kuga
• Ford Fiesta

01- Nissan Qashqai – sales 42,704 cars

After a fierce battle with the supermini Opel Corsa, the Nissan Qashqai was crowned the best-selling car of 2022. The original Qashqai was deservedly pioneered in the crossover SUV segment, and the current model remains one of the best midsize SUVs you can buy. The third-generation model features a number of significant upgrades in areas such as cabin space and technology, and these improvements are clearly proving attractive to buyers.

Nissan has become decidedly high-end with the latest generation Nissan Qashqai and we believe it is the best selling Nissan Qashqai ever. The Nissan Qashqai isn’t particularly a family SUV, but it excels in terms of practicality with generous storage areas, rear seats that fold flat, and doors that open incredibly well.

The best-selling Nissan Qashqai has an extensive and comprehensive list of standard safety equipment, making it suitable for families. During the 2022 model year, the e-Power, an unusual hybrid that uses the gasoline engine as the generator for the electric motor, has achieved many of the advantages of electric cars with few drawbacks. It’s a good system, and it sells for more affordable purchases than plug-in hybrids.

02- Opel Corsa – sales 35,910 cars

After a commanding performance in the first half of 2022, the Opel Corsa couldn’t overtake the larger Nissan Qashqai to maintain this year’s lead in the title of best-selling cars. Competitive pricing and availability certainly favored the young Oil company, while its arch-rival, the Ford Fiesta, suffered setbacks. In Khene, the Opel Corsa is cheap to run, well-equipped, easy to drive, versatile and formidable.

It’s also one of the best-looking small hatchbacks around, but it can’t match the fun of the Ford Fiesta or the everyday practicality of the SEAT Ibiza. So, where do you excel? It’s simple: affordability. The Opel Corsa has a lot to offer buyers who need a small car that offers decent running costs, keen driving and youthful appeal compared to the more popular Volkswagen Polo likes.

All versions of the Opel Corsa are generously equipped as standard. Even entry-level models get LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple PlayCar and Android Auto compatibility as standard. To come second among the best-selling cars.

03- Tesla Model Y – sales 35,551 cars

The Model Y is the latest addition to the Tesla range and has become Tesla’s best selling car, and the third best selling car in Britain, combining the technology and appeal of the Model 3 but in a more practical SUV body. This isn’t the brand’s first SUV, but it’s significantly cheaper than the Model X. This formula has been clearly attractive to buyers, and the Model Y’s climb to third place is due to some impressive sales numbers achieved in December.

Tesla dominated electric car sales in Britain in 2022, with the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3 in the first two positions. Among the best-selling electric vehicles, in fact, the Model Y outperformed the Niro EV by a sales ratio of 3 to 1. It’s easy to see why the Model Y has proven so popular. It shares many of its parts with the Tesla Model 3.

As we’ve come to expect from Tesla, the Model Y blends performance and range with the AWD version capable of covering 315 miles while delivering a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds. Although it doesn’t get the swinging “falcon” doors like the larger Model X, Tesla’s recent price cut has helped boost its sales to become the best-selling vehicle overall, and the best-selling electric vehicle.

04- Ford Puma – Sales 35,088 cars

As sales of the Ford Fiesta plummeted, the Puma Puma took over as the top seller. The performance of the eighth generation car made it an advanced position among the best-selling cars, and it ranked 8 among the best-selling cars in Britain in 2021, thanks to its wonderful combination of practicality, driving pleasure, and affordability. Interestingly, the Fiesta managed to overtake its big brother in the month of December, with 32 more units sold.

The Ford Puma is the best small SUV in its class. It’s loosely based on the Ford Fiesta, and they share many of the same components and parts, but they have a different look and a much higher ride. The Puma is great fun to drive on a country road but is also a cruiser on the highway. It ranked fourth among the best-selling cars.

If you’re looking for more performance, take a look at the Ford Puma ST, which shares the same turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine as the Ford Fiesta ST, and produces 200 hp. In practical terms, the Puma’s “megabox” feature is a noteworthy feature. It’s basically an 80-liter wipeable storage space hidden under the boot floor. The total trunk space in the Puma is about 456 liters.

05- Mini – sales 32,387 cars

Once again, the iconic MINI has continued to be one of Britain’s favorite best-selling cars. After a stunningly successful 2021 that finished third on the bestseller list, this luxury retro mini car slipped to the bottom of the rankings in 2022, but its fifth-place ranking is still very impressive. Branch Backtrack Mini continues to be the best-selling vehicle.

The Mini hatchback isn’t the most practical car from a remote perspective, but what it does offer is a fun factor that most other cars in this class lack. The main reason for this is the easy handling of the MINI. Strong residual values ​​are also a good point if you’re buying new (and already used) because it’s a good investment. Fortunately, the wide range of models and a decent list of standard equipment justify its place among the best-selling cars.

Mini drives with little wind or road noise. But the yard isn’t MINI’s strong suit. Rear space is limited in these bestsellers, and the One might be the cheapest Mini, powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 102 hp. It supports it well in the city, while the Mini Cooper has 136 horsepower from the same 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, helping it to deliver even better performance on the highways. And Mini hid diesel engines forever.

06- Kia Sportage – sales 29,655 cars

The Kia Sportage claimed the title of Britain’s third most popular SUV in 2021, and was very close to maintaining that position before the last-minute sales rush of the Tesla Model Y. Aside from a slight dip in its popularity, the latest Sportage finished sixth. Among the best-selling cars, it takes the lead as the best-selling mid-size SUV.