New car registrations have fallen for a fourth consecutive month following uncertainty over Brexit. Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that the market is down 9.3%, with 161,997 new cars registered in July. The top 10 best-selling cars of July contains one or two surprises.
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10. Audi A3
The Audi A3 returns to the top 10 with 2,607 registrations in July. It’s based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf, but a premium badge and a first-rate interior tempt buyers into spending a little extra cash.
There’s an A3 for everyone – it comes in three-door hatchback, five-door Sportback, four-door saloon and cabriolet body styles. There’s also an e-tron plug-in hybrid and super-fast RS3. With 400hp on tap, it’s the most powerful hot hatch in the world.
9. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Just nudging ahead of the A3 in the battle for premium hatchback supremacy is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, with 2,809 registrations in July. It’s one of two Mercedes models to make the top 10.
The A-Class has a starting price of £20,715, which just goes to prove that buyers are prepared to pay more for the ‘right’ badge. The range includes everything from the entry-level 180d diesel to the AMG A45 4matic.
8. Vauxhall Corsa
Last month, the Ford Fiesta was knocked off the top spot by the Volkswagen Golf, as buyers shunned the outgoing model to wait for the new and improved version. A chance for the Vauxhall Corsa to claw back some ground, then?
Only it hasn’t. Instead, the Corsa has slipped to a lowly eighth position, with a grand total of 2,819 registrations. Year-to-date, the Corsa sits fifth overall and is danger of dropping into the bottom half of the table. Oh dear.
7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The C-Class has climbed to seventh place, having finished 10th in June. We might be told that the crossover is taking over the world, but the C-Class proves that there’s life in the saloon car. A premium badge certainly helps.
To date, some 30,214 C-Class have left Mercedes-Benz showrooms, making it by far and away the UK’s most popular saloon car. Indeed, it’s the only saloon in the year-to-date top 10. The BMW 3 Series has disappeared from the top 10.
6. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is back in the top 10, securing its position as the nation’s second favourite crossover. A total of 3,155 units were registered in July.
The combination of a five-star Euro NCAP rating, seven-year warranty and excellent value for money edges the Sportage ahead in a competitive sector. Amusingly, there are 11 different trim levels to choose from.
5. Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo can also trace its roots back to 1975. A sixth generation Polo will arrive shortly, but the outgoing model is performing well, with 3,227 units shifted in July.
The range kicks off with the basic Polo S at £11,970, with the BlueGT and GTI sitting at the top. So far this year, 30,432 Polos have found homes in the UK. We wouldn’t bet against it overtaking the Corsa by the end of the year.
4. Ford Fiesta
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Having sat at the top of the charts for longer than Bryan Adams, the Ford Fiesta suddenly finds itself in uncharted waters. But don’t worry, it doesn’t need a lifejacket.
The Ford Fiesta is a victim of a model changeover, with buyers waiting for the new version, while dealers reportedly struggle to keep up with demand. In a tweet, Tim Holmes, head of PR for Ford of Britain, said: “Quick shout-out to our colleagues in Cologne to build us more new Fiestas!”
3. Nissan Qashqai
Look, there’s a new face for the UK’s best-selling crossover. Ten years since the Nissan Qashqai arrived on the scene, the second generation model has been treated to a new face, an improved interior and new equipment. A total of 4,640 units were registered in July.
The Qashqai is no longer the freshest or sharpest crossover in its sector, but it remains a terrific all-rounder, which helps it to retain a top 10 position, climbing into the top three in the process.
2. Volkswagen Golf
Following its brief stint at the top of the table in June, the Volkswagen Golf returns to second place in July. A total of 5,236 cars were registered last month, helping to cement the Golf’s position as the third most popular car of 2017.
Prices start from £17,765 for the Golf S, increasing to £32,710 for the Golf R. Estate versions are also available, along with electric and hybrid options.
1. Ford Focus
Surprised? The Ford Focus has muscled in on the territory once dominated by the Fiesta, seeing off the Golf in the process. A total of 5,251 units were registered in July, just 15 more than the VW. The Vauxhall Astra doesn’t make the top 10…
Hot on the heels of the new Fiesta, a new Ford Focus will arrive in 2018. We’re not expecting a radical change to the styling, but we expect it to be lighter than the current model with a host of new tech.