Best-selling cars 2022: What were the UK's top 10 most popular models of the year?

After a truly topsy-turvy 12 months last year, the top 10 list of most popular cars in the UK for 2022 was still affected by Covid, a shortage of semiconductors and other geo-political factors.

The market was affected by spiralling inflation driven primarily by high fuel prices, gas shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and a market-imploding “mini budget” from Liz Truss’s government in September 2022.

Not interested in the overview of what’s going on with the UK car market in 2022? Jump straight to the list of the top 10 most popular cars

The Russian invasion threw a spanner in the works for many car manufacturers, including those in the Volkswagen Group, which rely on plants in Ukraine to supply important components such as wiring looms. It’s obviously a small matter against the trauma and hardship experienced by the people of Ukraine, but there is an undeniable effect on the global car market.

Despite showing remarkable resilience in some months, 2022 completed an unholy trinity of years for the motor industry with 1.61m cars registered in 2022 — a 2% fall on pandemic-afflicted 2021 — making it the most challenging year for the motor industry in three decades

However, due to the problems being global, the UK reclaimed its position as Europe’s second biggest market.

Petrol still ruled but electric car registrations surged

Looking at the types of car the proved moved popular in 2022, traditional petrol models still came out on top, with the 682,473 registrations representing 42.3% of the market. But for the first time, pure-electric cars (or BEVs — battery-electric vehicles — to the SMMT) were the second best-sellers, with a 16.6% share.

But the number of EVs sold is accelerating as more models arrive on the market, and in fact December 2022 saw pure-electric cars prove more popular than even petrol, with 32.9% of registrations, as the industry and consumers rapidly move towards electrification.

Mild hybrid (MHEV) petrol cars and full hybrid (HEV) petrol models gained market share, too, while plug-in hybrids have fallen out of favour somewhat, dropping from 7% in 2021 to 6.3% share over the course of 2022.

But predictably traditional diesel cars saw the biggest drop in registrations last year, as carmakers withdrew “oil burners” to concentrate on electrified models, with 82,981 sales — down 38.9% year-on-year. Mild-hybrid diesels also saw a 26.7% drop in sales.

The best-selling cars of 2022

But what were the most popular car models of 2022? Here is the official list of top 10 best-selling vehicles in the UK over all 12 months, according to the SMMT.

1. Nissan Qashqai

Number of registrations: 42,704

Nissan reveals 2021 Qashqai crossover SUV

Last year marked an all-time high for the Nissan Qashqai in terms of sales and it became the UK’s best-selling car overall.

The Qashqai helped popularise the crossover genre, having a bigger impact on the types of cars we drive than almost any other car launched this century. The all-new Qashqai launched in 2021 with a hybrid e-Power variant, clever technology, a fresher design and more upmarket interior, and we liked it enough to name it our Small SUV / Crossover of the Year 2021. No doubt its 2022 sales success has quite a lot to do with our award. You’re welcome, Nissan.

But seriously, folks, there’s no denying that whether buying new or used, the Qashqai is a decent and able family car. It has been a solid top 10 seller for some time and topped the charts in November 2022, helping extend its lead at the top of the charts for best-selling car of the year.

2. Vauxhall Corsa

Number of registrations: 35,910

The UK’s best-selling car of 2021 didn’t retain its crown in 2022, but its second-place spot suggests that traditional superminis aren’t dead quite yet (despite Ford announcing the Corsa-rivalling Fiesta is to be discontinued).

Still, not topping the sales charts will have been a shock to Vauxhall, with managers telling us at the UK launch of the new Astra in July that they were confident Corsa would be the number one seller in Britain again in 2022.

They had reason to be confident. Vauxhall’s supermini relaunched in 2019 with handsome looks and a range of powertrain options, including a pure-electric variant packing a competitive 208-mile range. That electrification could mean Corsa is here for a few years more yet.

3. Tesla Model Y

Number of registrations: 35,551

Tesla’s now-traditional December boost, thanks to large shipments arriving on our shores and being registered in one go, saw the related Model Y and Model 3 top the monthly sales chart, and pushed the crossover from ninth over the first 11 months of the year to third overall. It follows the Model 3 becoming the second best-selling car of 2021. No longer can we call Tesla a niche carmaker.

Sharing around 95% of the Model 3’s underpinnings, the Model Y builds on its strengths, adding extra space and crossover styling. Two versions are available, depending on the buyer’s priorities — Long Range (315 miles) and Performance, both with all-wheel drive. The cabin is light and airy thanks to its minimalist layout and huge, easy-to-use central touchscreen replacing most of the controls.

When Driving.co.uk tested the Model Y, there was a huge amount that we liked about it, finding it to be a comfortable, spacious and competent car with loads to recommend, not least Tesla’s enviable Supercharger network (though long queues to recharge over the winter break suggest it’s not great during times of peak demand). One big downside, though, was the rather poor ride quality, with bumps and jolts echoing through the cabin making it uncomfortable and noisy on rough roads.

4. Ford Puma

Number of registrations: 35,088

It was controversial when Ford revived the Puma name — previously associated with a niche but beloved, sporty 1990s coupé — as a crossover SUV, but the tactic paid off. This is one of the best-handling and most practical cars in its class.

In his review of the car, Jeremy Clarkson, who loved the washable boot (known as the “megabox”), said that it seemed to be designed by “an actual person who leads an actual life”. And for those who like to put a little spice in their SUV, there’s an ST version, too.

Its excellent critical reception has translated to superb sales figures, and it was quite shocking when Puma ended up outselling the Fiesta supermini in 2021. This was partly explained by supply disruption as a result of the semiconductor shortage, and we now know Ford put all its eggs into the “growth cars” (SUVs and electric) basket, but as the Fiesta was the UK’s best-selling car for a decade it was a pretty eye-opening changing of the guard.

The Fiesta is now being discontinued and a new pure-electric Puma is on the way this year, so Ford’s entry-level crossover is in line for further success over the coming years.

5. Mini Hatch

Number of registrations: 32,387

There’s a lot of appeal in the Mini — the UK’s third best-selling car last year — thanks to its premium feel coupled with retro styling. Like a Porsche 911, the design has evolved subtly since its launch so that it still looks good more than 20 years on from the first “New Mini”. The handling and driving experience are as engaging as ever, too.

Buyers will find plenty of choice in the Mini Hatch range from the sensible and affordable Mini One right up to the hooligan John Cooper Works model and a pure-electric version. There’s also the choice of three- or five-door bodystyles.

The Mini is still among the best of British and a keen rival for German cars such as the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo. Some production will move from Oxford to China, Mini has said, but the UK factory will still remain and no jobs will be lost as a result, making the Mini not just cracking model but that rare thing these days: a British-built car.

6. Kia Sportage

Number of registrations: 29,655

Kia’s all-new Sportage SUV for 2022 received a fresh chassis and engine line-up, and excellent, modern styling. Quality is high and the combined 12.3in digital displays give the interior of the Sportage a premium, technologically-advanced look.

At the top of the Sportage range is a plug-in hybrid model developing 261bhp through its combination of 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor, with energy fed from a 13.8kWh battery. A non-plug-in hybrid is available on this generation Sportage, with the same 1.6-litre petrol engine and 226bhp. There are other mild-hybrid petrol models as well as a diesel, so most buyers will be catered for whatever their preference.

The Sportage is in a tough and crowded sector of the market and will need to battle it out with rivals such as its cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, as well as the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga. The Qashqai has the edge in terms of sales, clearly, but there’s a great deal of appeal from this Korean model.

7. Hyundai Tucson

Number of registrations: 27,839

Sister car to the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson was relaunched in 2021 and is well-made with a nicely finished interior as well as looks that help it stand out from the compact crossover crowd. We especially like the LED daytime running lights at the front, which give it a futuristic look and plenty of road presence.

All powertrains are based around the same 1.6-litre petrol engine, though there’s plenty of choice available in the form of a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure-combustion.

Tucson shares its running gear with the Sportage, a model that is equally impressive. It’s no coincidence that both cars are among the top 10 best-selling cars of 2022, though it’s interesting that neither car had a blistering end to the year for sales.

If you’re in the market for a crossover and haven’t looked at either Korean brand’s products before, now might be the time to take one for a test drive.

8. Volkswagen Golf

Number of registrations: 26,558

The evergreen Volkswagen Golf had a strong second half to the year in sales terms, keeping it in the top 10 of bestselling cars for 2022.

A household name for more than a generation, the VW Golf has, in its latest Mk8 iteration, come in for criticism due to what some considered pared-back infotainment and frustrating interior controls.

But it does look good, drives well, has smart tech and excellent refinement for its class, and comes in a variety of flavours from the modest petrol hatch to the sporty GTI, plug-in hybrid GTE and the range-topping all-wheel drive Golf R.

What the future holds for the Golf is questionable. Given that VW has an electric family hatchback in the ID.3, there may be no room for another generation of Golf as the ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars looms. It may seem unthinkable but as Ford has canned the Fiesta and Focus, it’s clear not even the most beloved car models are safe from the chop right now.

9. Ford Kuga

Number of registrations: 25,549

The latest generation Ford Kuga is a massive improvement over the well-received first-gen model, and, although the new Kuga looks good from the outside, the biggest changes come with the interior. There’s more space than before, the infotainment has been upgraded, build quality is impressive, the seats are plush, sound deadening is spot on. In short, the Kuga is a comfortable and refined car.

Available with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, there’s loads of choice in the line-up. The plug-in version gets impressive figures on paper — 201.8mpg — and a range of 39 electric-only miles, though after the battery runs out of juice, the Kuga’s 2.5-litre petrol engine is a little on the thirsty side.

10. Ford Fiesta

Number of registrations: 25,070

This is the last time we’ll see the Fiesta in the top 10 best-sellers list. Production of the three-door model ended in 2022 and the five-door model follows in June this year, as Ford concentrates on electrified crossovers and SUVs. It marks a dramatic end for a model that in 2014 became the best-selling car ever in the UK.

The final seventh-generation model is probably the best version of all, with class-leading handling and ride quality. It’s well-made, reliable and has peppy, frugal engines. Our favourite version is the hot ST, which is a future classic without doubt.

So long, Fiesta, and thanks for all the fun.

UK's best-selling cars of 2022 - SMMT figures

After reading about the most popular cars in the UK in 2022, you might be interested to look back at the best-selling cars of 2021.
For a range of buying guides, visit our Car Clinic.
If you’re interested in new cars, check out the most exciting cars for 2023.

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