Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that the first month of 2025 saw fewer new car registrations than January 2024, falling by 2.5%. Electric vehicle (EV) registration hit another all-time high, too, recording an overall market share of 21.6%, still short of last year’s 22% ZEV mandate target set by the government. The Kia Sportage claimed the top spot for registrations. Last year’s bestselling car, the Ford Puma, slips down to seventh position.
The SMMT recorded 139,345 new car registrations for January 2025, down from 142,876 registrations for 2024. Both private and fleet sales contributed to this fall, with decreases of 0.5% and 3.7% respectively. Fleet sales still hold a very healthy 62.4% total market share.
Petrol and diesel saw the largest decrease in market share, down 15.3% and 7.7% respectively. Plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars saw a small increase in registrations and now represent 22.2% of the market share.
EVs recorded a substantial 21.3% market share, with 29,634 battery-powered cars registered. This is a 41.6% increase compared to January 2024 but still falls short of last year’s ZEV mandate target of 22%. More worryingly, the SMMT predicts a 23.7% EV market share for 2025, far below the 28% set by the government.
The SMMT also warned of the damaging effect new taxes levied against EVs from April 2025 could have on meeting targets. The ‘Expensive Car Supplement’ is set to be applied to electric cars for the first time, adding a total tax bill of £3,110 over the first six years of ownership for any car that costs over £40,000. With most EVs still coming at a price premium against an equivalent petrol or diesel example, the extra cost could be yet another stumbling block to reaching the mandate target.
What the industry says about UK car sales
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said: ‘January’s figures show EV demand is growing – but not fast enough to deliver on current ambitions. Affordability remains a major barrier to uptake, hence the need for compelling measures to boost demand, and not just from manufacturers. The application, therefore, of the ‘Expensive Car Supplement’ to VED on electric vehicles is the wrong measure at the wrong time. Rather than penalising EV buyers, we should be taking every step to encourage more drivers to make the switch, helping meet government, industry and societal climate change goals.’
The top 10 bestselling cars of January 2025
- Kia Sportage – 3,476 sold
- Nissan Qashqai – 3,421 sold
- Vauxhall Corsa – 3,379 sold
- Volkswagen Golf – 2,614 sold
- Peugeot 2008 – 2,478 sold
- MG ZS – 2,780 sold
- Ford Puma – 2,332 sold
- Nissan Juke – 2,320 sold
- MG HS – 2,148 sold
- MG ZS – 2,107 sold
Top 10 bestselling cars of 2025 year-to-date
There’s a Sportage to suit almost everyone
But we reckon the Sportage is worth spending the cash on. It has a practical interior, plenty of standard equipment, a great infotainment package and it comes with Kia’s brilliant seven-year warranty. The only thing that lets it down is it’s driving experience. Its steering is a little too light for our liking and its handling isn’t anywhere near as fun as the Ford Kuga’s. We can’t fault it otherwise, though.
To find out more, read our full Kia Sportage review
Pros
- Intuitive infotainment screen
- Great standard equipment
- Spacious and practical cabin
Cons
- Overly light steering system
- Pricey – especially the PHEV model
The car that kicked off the SUV craze
Buyers have a choice of two petrol engines. There’s a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid available with two power outputs, and a 1.5-litre full hybrid. We recommend opting for the latter – with more power and greater efficiency it’s better to live with day-to-day. The facelifted model is here, too, so watch out for deals on the outgoing car.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Qashqai review
Pros
- High-quality interior
- Lots of tech that works well
- Incredibly refined E-Power hybrid
Cons
- No PHEV or performance version
- No load-through hatch on rear bench
Popular supermini still makes for a solid pick
Vauxhall has worked wonders getting price parity between the petrol and electric version. Both are good value for money too, with strong leasing and financing deals in its corner. It's a sensible pick and will serve as a very competent car for most duties, but there are better cars out there.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa review
Pros
- Impressive fuel economy
- Spacious in the front
- Lots of standard equipment
Cons
- Interior feels a little low-rent
- Lack of cabin storage space
The original family hatch just got better
Volkswagen has given the updated Golf a brand-new infotainment system, which is far nicer to look at and much easier to use. Build quality has improved, too – and the PHEV models now have twice as much electric range thanks to some new battery technology. It doesn’t drive any differently to the previous model, but that’s not such a bad thing because it always was comfortable on the motorway and engaging in the corners.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Golf review
Pros
- New infotainment is one of the best on sale
- Loads of engines, including new PHEV systems
- Build quality is noticeably better than before
Cons
- Not as engaging to drive as the Focus
- Revised Skoda Octavia offers better value
A family SUV for the fashion conscious
It is affordable, perhaps explaining why it's on this list. Leasing rates, in particular, are exceptionally cheap for both the hybrid and fully electric examples. You'd easily be able to pick one up for less than £300 per month.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 3008 review
Pros
- High-quality interior
- Very stylish
- Efficient mild-hybrid engine
Cons
- Disappointing lack of space from a family SUV
- Poor interior ergonomics
Small and comfortable SUV
Again, the space on board is nothing to write home about; it's distinctly average for a small family runabout. It is comfortable though, especially on longer trips. Again, it's also exceedingly affordable at the moment, in both petrol and electric variants.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 2008 review
Pros
- Eye-catching design inside and out
- Decent range of engine options
- Cabin and boot are spacious
Cons
- 3D dials take getting used to
- Driving position won’t suit all
It's the nation's favourite for a reason
It’s also the best-driving SUV in its class, running rings around the likes of the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke. It captures a lot of the same handling magic found in the old Fiesta, with which it shares its underpinnings – and, now that the Fiesta’s dead, this is the only way to experience that magic. This year's facelift hasn't been as promising as we'd hoped, but the fundamentals are still there.
To find out more, read our full Ford Puma review
Pros
- It’s the best-driving family SUV
- Fun and frugal petrol engines
- Huge boot thanks to Ford’s Megabox
Cons
- Rear legroom is a little tight
- Dashboard is rather bland
It isn't our favourite, but UK drivers love it
The Juke trails its larger sibling, the Qashqai, in the sales charts, but the numbers are surprisingly close. Perhaps that’s indicative of UK buyers downsizing their cars.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Juke review
Pros
- User-friendly interior
- Clear infotainment system
- Distinctive styling
Cons
- Fidgety ride
- Engines need more pep
A value-driven PHEV SUV
Refinement is far better than before. The HS's golden ticket is no longer its low price and generous technology; it now features a pleasant interior, better road manners and nice equipment levels, too. The fact it's still a bargain only helps its case.
To find out more, read our full MG HS review
Pros
- Spacious and practical cabin
- Impressive plug-in hybrid
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Petrol engine lacks refinement
- Annoying safety tech
MG ZS
Cheap small SUV lacks polish
The hybrid system isn't the most refined, and the interior feels a little bargain basement. The low speed ride isn't the best either and there's a general lack of polish. But they're so affordable and so serviceable for family life that it's hard to ignore.
Pros
- Undercuts rivals on price
- Frugal to run
- Spacious interior
Cons
- No steering wheel reach adjustment
- Firm suspension
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