The most popular models revealed
After the truly topsy-turvy year that was 2021, the motor industry will be hoping for a return to something approaching normality in 2022.
There were some really strange occurrences last year — the Vauxhall Corsa becoming Britain’s best-selling car meant that for the first time in around half a century Ford did not take the top spot.
And the country’s second best-selling car was powered by batteries: the Tesla Model 3, from a company that didn’t even exist prior to 2003.
The reason? A combination of lockdowns and the global semiconductor shortage, which affected both car production and sales in the UK last year.
While society might seemingly be back to some semblance of normality in 2022, the chip shortage that hobbled production of Ford’s volume sellers last year shows no real signs of abating.
January 2022: UK car market early health check
With 2020 and 2021 the two worst years for car sales since 1992 (and August 2021 the worst single month since 1956), just how will 2022 shape up?
While January’s sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) only give a small insight into how the year may be looking, January can sometimes act as a bellwether for the rest of the year, so the figures are something to which the industry will be paying attention.
The SMMT’s latest figures show 115,087 cars sold in January, which is a 27.5% increase on the same month in 2021. The increase was driven primarily by private car sales that were up 64.1% on January 2021 while fleet (company car) sales remained mostly unchanged.
A look at the numbers on fuel choices prompts the question of just how far diesel sales have left to fall. There were just 6,008 sales of diesel cars in January, totally eclipsed not only by petrol cars (which, at 51,468 sales, remain dominant), but also hybrids and pure-electric cars (referred to as battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, by the SMMT). The figures represent a 45.8% fall for diesel compared with January 2021.
Battery-electric car sales continue their spectacular rise: the 14,433 units sold in January mark a 130.6% increase on the same period in 2021. Last month, there were just a few hundred fewer pure-electric cars sold than mild-hybrid models, making electric-only cars the third most popular type.
Mild-hybrid petrol cars accounted for 14,907 sales; hybrid-electric cars sold 13,492 units (a 98.1% increase); there were 9,047 plug-in hybrids registered; mild hybrid diesels recorded the lowest figure of any type at 5,732 units.
The best-selling cars of 2022
But what are the most popular car models of 2022 so far? Here is the official list of top 10 best-selling vehicles in the UK, according to the SMMT.
1. Kia Sportage
Number of registrations: 3,458
Kia has just launched an all-new version of its Sportage SUV with a new chassis, new engine line-up and interesting styling. It’s possible its strong performance in January is down to dealers offering great deals on the existing stock, to make room for the new model.
But the 2022 Sportage is impressive, so its success may continue throughout 2022. Quality is high and the combined 12.3in digital displays give the interior of the new 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 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 new Sportage enters into a tough and crowded sector of the market and will need to battle it out with rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga and its cousin, the Hyundai Tucson.
2. Ford Puma
Number of registrations: 2,608
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 the Puma ended up outselling the Fiesta supermini in 2021, which is partly explained by supply disruption as a result of the semiconductor shortage, but is pretty extraordinary all the same, as the Fiesta has been the UK’s best-selling car for a decade. It proves people now love crossovers above all else.
3. Kia Niro
Number of registrations: 2,372
January was a very good month for Kia, with another of its SUVs in the UK’s top 10 best-sellers. The Niro isn’t too much smaller than the Sportage and is available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric form (see the e-Niro above).
First introduced in 2016, the Niro is getting on a bit now, sharing its underpinnings with the Hyundai Ioniq, but in its latest pure-electric iteration, the 201bhp motor offers decent performance and the 280-mile range, in the model with the largest (64kWh) battery, makes it one of the better-value electric cars out there. Especially given Kia’s seven-year warranty.
4. Mini Hatch
Number of registrations: 2,313
Another model with a pure-electric variant after a refresh in 2020, the Mini Hatch was the second best-selling car in the UK last October and December, and topped the charts in November. Overall, it was the UK’s third best-selling car in 2021.
There’s a lot of appeal to the Mini, thanks to its premium feel coupled with retro styling that has evolved in such a way that it still looks good more than 20 years on from the first “New MINI”. The handling and driving experience is as engaging as ever, too, with a much sportier feel than most superminis out there.
Aside from the electric model, buyers will find plenty of choice in the range from the sensible and affordable Mini One right up to the hooligan John Cooper Works models. There are also three- and five-door versions, and a convertible option, too.
The Mini is still among the best of British and a keen rival for German cars such as the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo.
5. Vauxhall Corsa
Number of registrations: 2,285
The UK’s best-selling car last year — will it retain its crown in 2022?
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.
The refresh seems to have done the trick, and the Corsa stormed to the top of the table in 2021, well ahead of the Ford Fiesta, which dropped off the top 10 completely as Ford put its eggs into its crossover (Puma, Kuga) and van baskets (the Transit outsold every car last year, as online shopping and the resulting deliveries continue to boom).
The Corsa nearly usurped the Fiesta in 2020 but a strong start to the year meant that Ford’s ever-popular supermini just pipped the Vauxhall to the post. But 2021 was finally the Griffin’s time to shine, and it’s a deserved popular runabout.
6. Hyundai Tucson
Number of registrations: 2,236
The Hyundai Tucson was relaunched last year, and it’s a really well-made car with a nicely finished interior and looks that help it stand out from the compact crossover crowd. 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.
It shares its running gear with the new Kia Sportage, which is equally impressive. If you’re in the market for a crossover and haven’t looked at either Korean brands’ products before, now might be the time to take one for a test drive.
7. Vauxhall Mokka
Number of registrations: 2,194
The latest Vauxhall Mokka represents an exponential improvement over the previous model with sharp, up-to-date styling. It feels well-built and drives well, too, none of which could be said about the old one.
The newest Mokka shares its underpinnings with a raft of Peugeot models including the 2008, meaning that there are petrol (1.2), diesel (1.5) and pure-electric versions to choose from.
Good as the Mokka is, it has its work cut out in the small crossover segment with rivals such as the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc to contend with.
8. Ford Focus
Number of registrations: 1,882
One of the biggest victims of the chip shortage was the Focus, as Ford realigned its production in response to the massive demand for vans due to the rise in online shopping during the pandemic.
The Focus has had a mid-life update for 2022, though, and appears to be returning to sales form. The new model has pleasingly-tweaked styling and new mild-hybrid power options, in addition to 1-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel motors.
A huge 13.4in touchscreen almost overwhelms the cabin and overall there’s a high level of tech. Those in need of more space or power can opt for the Focus estate or ST, respectively.
9. Volkswagen T-Roc
Number of registrations: 1,813
The T-Roc is VW’s crossover equivalent of the Golf, meaning that despite its chunkier styling it’s not very big. But many will like the looks, quality is decent and the drive is reasonably pleasant.
There isn’t any electrification across the T-Roc range, though, with just 1-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines, as well as a 2-litre diesel. Rivals include the Ford Puma and Vauxhall Mokka, so while it’s in a very popular segment, competition is fierce. But there is a cabrio version, which is highly unusual and helps mark it out as something different.
10. Toyota Corolla
Number of registrations: 1,767
The Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in the world of all time, though it didn’t finish in the UK top ten in 2021.
The latest Derbyshire-built Corolla is an all-hybrid affair, using 1.8- and 2-litre petrol hybrid powertrains to achieve fuel economy figures in excess of 50mpg.
The newest Corolla hatch is a good-looking car, though lacking the cachet of its rivals such as the VW Golf and Ford Focus. It’s also nowhere near as spacious inside, which is why the Corolla Touring Sports estate car (pictured) exists.
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