Call Monday-Friday 9am - 6pm Closed Weekends & Bank Holidays
The best deals on Britain's ten most popular new cars in 2026
These are the ten best-selling new cars in the UK during the first half of 2026, ranked using registration figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
But being popular doesn't necessarily mean paying list price.
For each car, we have checked the current RRP, the average saving being reported by Carwow and an example of a new car currently advertised on Auto Trader. That lets you compare the wider market discount with a real advertised deal available when we carried out our research.
All prices and discount figures were checked on 26th July 2026.
Buying a popular new car also usually means being offered extras such as GAP Insurance, tyre cover and cosmetic insurance at the dealership. You do not have to buy GAP Insurance from the dealer selling you the car, so it is worth comparing the cover and price before making a decision.
For each of the ten cars below, we have therefore also calculated the cost of our three-year GAP Insurance based on the advertised price of the live Auto Trader example.
Some advertised vehicle prices may depend on taking dealer finance or meeting other terms. Auto Trader listings can also change or disappear quickly, so the examples below are a snapshot of the market on 26th July 2026 rather than deals we can guarantee will still be available when you read this.
1. Ford Puma
Britain's best-selling car for three years running, and still top after the first half of 2026 with 29,642 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). It is one of the better small SUVs to drive, well equipped and sensibly priced, which is most of why it stays on top.
- List price from £27,145 (petrol range up to £34,745)
- Typical saving £3,578 off (Carwow). See the current Ford Puma deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Ford Puma 1.0T Ecoboost MHEV ST-Line
- RRP £28,270
- Offer Price £21,998
- Saving £6,272
- Worth knowing the electric Puma Gen-E carries a far larger discount once the £3,750 Electric Car Grant is applied, so treat it as a separate deal.
GAP cover cost for the Ford Puma at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £118.98
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £148.98
2. Kia Sportage
Runner-up in both 2024 and 2025 and second again so far in 2026 with 25,828 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). A rounded family SUV with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options and a seven-year warranty, which keeps it near the front year after year.
- List price from £30,190 (range up to £47,895)
- Typical saving £3,430 (Carwow). See the current Kia Sportage deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi Pure
- RRP £31,395
- Offer Price £27,890
- Saving £3,505
GAP cover cost for the Kia Sportage at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £184.97
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £223.98
3. Jaecoo 7
The stand-out newcomer of the year, third with 23,840 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). A Chinese SUV that squares up to pricier rivals on space and kit, with a starting price around £29,000 and keen finance offers doing a lot of the work.
- List price from £29,210 (range up to £36,505)
- Typical saving £1,998 off (Carwow). See the current Jaecoo 7 deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Jaecoo 7 1.5T SHS-H Pure
- RRP £29,330
- Offer Price £27,450
- Saving £1,880
GAP cover cost for the Jaecoo 7 at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £184.97
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £223.98
4. Nissan Qashqai
The default family SUV for many British buyers, fourth with 23,102 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). Designed in Paddington and built in Sunderland, and the e-Power hybrid is one of the better versions to live with.
- List price from £30,635 (range up to £43,225)
- Typical saving £5,987 off (Carwow) See the current Nissan Qashqai deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T MHEV N-Connecta
- RRP £33,105
- Offer Price £24,990
- Saving £8,115
GAP cover cost for the Nissan Qashqai at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £118.98
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £148.98
5. Vauxhall Corsa
The best-selling supermini and fifth overall with 18,470 registrations (SMMT). A familiar, well-equipped small car that carries some of the largest discounts in the whole top ten.
- List price from £20,590 (petrol range up to £30,935)
- Typical saving £6,173 off (Carwow). See the current Vauxhall Corsa deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Turbo Yes
- RRP £20,510
- Offer Price £15,495
- Saving £5,015
- Worth knowing the electric Corsa is discounted even harder, by an average of around £9,900, so it is worth a look if an EV suits you
GAP cover cost for the Vauxhall Corsa at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £118.98
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £148.98
6. Volkswagen Golf
Proof the family hatchback still sells, sixth with 17,552 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). A 2024 facelift fixed most of the earlier model's niggles, and there is a Golf for almost every need, from a plain runaround to the GTI.
- List price from £28,440 (range up to £37,450)
- Typical saving £2,419 off (Carwow). See the current Volkswagen Golf deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI Match
- RRP £29,150
- Offer Price £22,991
- Saving £6,159
GAP cover cost for the VW Golf at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £118.98
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £148.98
7. MG HS
MG's family SUV keeps climbing, seventh with 16,721 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). It offers a lot of space and kit for the money, with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices and a seven-year warranty, and its electrified versions helped it take the 2026 Auto Express Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year award.
- List price from £26,495 (range up to £34,995)
- Typical saving £4,875 off (Carwow). See the current MG HS deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: MG HS 1.5T-GDI SE
- RRP £27,040
- Offer Price £18,993
- Saving £8,047
GAP cover cost for the MG HS at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £118.98
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £148.98
8. MINI Cooper
Still a strong seller after all these years, eighth with 16,295 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). The current Cooper pairs premium feel with a competitive starting price under £25,000, in both petrol and electric form.
- List price from £24,735 (range up to £38,240)
- Typical saving: Carwow is currently showing the entry Cooper at its £24,735 RRP, with no advertised cash discount. See the current MINI Cooper deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: MINI Cooper 1.5C Classic Steptronic
- RRP £28,585
- Offer Price £27,492
- Saving £1,093
GAP cover cost for the MINI at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £184.97
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £223.98
9. Volvo XC40
A stylish, safety-led compact SUV, ninth with 16,031 registrations (SMMT, via Auto Express). It offers more space than its size suggests and Volvo's usual strong safety record, though it sits at the premium end of this list on price.
- List price from £36,860 (range up to £47,360)
- Typical saving £1,666 off (Carwow). See the current Volvo XC40 deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Volvo XC40 2.0 B3 MHEV Core DCT Auto
- RRP £37,010
- Offer Price £36,010
- Saving £1,000
GAP cover cost for the Volvo XC40 at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £184.97
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £223.98
10. Tesla Model Y
A strong finish to the half-year for Tesla, tenth with 15,341 registrations after a big June (SMMT, via Auto Express). Efficient, practical and full of tech, with a long range and access to the Supercharger network.
- List price £41,990 for the Model Y Standard
- Typical saving Typical saving: Tesla sells new cars directly rather than through a conventional franchised dealer network, so there isn't the same opportunity to shop between dealers for a discount.(correct as of 26/7/26). See the current Tesla Model Y deals
- Live example on Auto Trader: Tesla Model Y 62.5kWh Standard Auto RWD
- RRP £41,990
- Offer Price £41,990
- Saving £0
- Finance offer: £2,500 Tesla deposit contribution currently available on qualifying PCP agreements
GAP cover cost for the Tesla Model Y at Total Loss GAP:
3-year Return to Invoice GAP: £223.79
3-year Vehicle Replacement GAP: £259.98
What the deals tell us
The biggest difference across these ten cars is not their list price, but how far some dealers are currently prepared to move from it.
Our live examples found savings of more than £8,000 on both the Nissan Qashqai and MG HS, while the MINI Cooper and Volvo XC40 were much closer to list price. The Tesla Model Y had no advertised cash discount at all, although a finance contribution was available.
It is a useful reminder that the RRP is only the starting point. On some of Britain’s most popular cars, shopping around before ordering can make a difference of several thousand pounds.
* Representative GAP prices, correct as of 26th July 2026, inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax. Your own premium depends on the vehicle, the price you pay and the cover you choose. GAP Insurance is optional, so please consider whether it suits your circumstances. Aequitas Automotive Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference number 821163.
Sources
- New car registrations and best-seller ranking, first half of 2026: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), reported by Auto Express, 6 July 2026.
- List prices and average savings: Carwow, checked 26th July 2026. Carwow describes these figures as its average saving off RRP. Savings vary by dealer, specification, location, and the deal available.
- Live individual listings: Auto Trader, correct as of 26th July 2026.