Eight months into the year, the Ford Puma continues to lead as the UK's best-selling car.
Should it maintain this position until the end of 2025, it will mark its second consecutive year as the top model in the UK.
However, despite a strong start for the Puma, the broader new car market is experiencing fluctuations. The industry is still facing serious challenges, including uncertainty about government incentives.
July 2025 saw the end of two months of growth for car sales, with 140,154 units registered, representing a drop of 5% year-on-year. That said, electric car sales increased by 9.7% year-on-year, up to 29,825 units.
That number is expected to grow more rapidly in the coming months, as the government’s newly revised electric vehicle grant comes into effect. It launched this month with six cars affected, all of them from French car maker Citroen.
But which cars are currently the most popular in the UK, and can any of them get close to Ford's crossover? For the definitive list of the top 10 best-selling cars of the year to date, based on SMMT data, read on…
The most popular new cars of 2025
1. Ford Puma – 30,764 units
The best-selling car of 2024 had a slow start to this year, but its consistency has been so strong that it's been glued to the top spot since February of this year.
The Puma appeals because it's engaging to drive and attractively priced, plus it offers the option of a hot Puma ST variant.
The arrival of the electric Ford Puma Gen-E should give it an additional boost.
Read our Ford Puma review
2. Kia Sportage – 27,494 units
The Kia Sportage finished fourth in the 2024 sales charts, and we suspect the people of Seoul will be thrilled to see the SUV retain second place for the third consecutive month.
Consistency is the key to this family SUV. It entered its fifth generation at the tail end of 2022 and still looks fresh, eye-catching and modern.
Its mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains ensure a great variety for buyers, too.
Read our Kia Sportage review
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And again: sorry to be pedantic, but early August is only seven months into the year, not eight.
On a more serious note, disappointing that eight of the 10 top sellers are SUVs with just the Corsa and Golf representing what were once normal cars.
I recently test drove a Puma for a day.
I cannot understand why people buy this awful car:
Weird steering wheel, horrible touchscreen, cramped pedal bay, crashing, lumpy ride, poor visibility, squashed back seats, naff scratchy plastics.
Looks like I may be buying an Octavia instead.
Not sure if the Puma is up against the much larger Octavia, do you mean the Fabia or Scala.
'We're now halfway through the year' -10th June. No we aren't, once Junes figures are added you can claim that.
'Eight months into the year......' 5th August. No Jack, we're only 7 months in. January, February, March, April, May, June, July. Come on, its not hard.