2016 really was a solid year for new car sales, so much so that figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that registrations of new cars were at an all-time high in the UK last year. They suggest this could be down to appealing finance options and the widening range of models to choose from. So when it comes to those of us who live in the UK, what were our favourite cars to buy?
Spoiler alert: Unsurprisingly no supercars made the list. Most of them are, ahem, a tad out of normal price ranges. Can you guess what did make the top 5 though? Below are the 5 bestselling cars from 2016.
- Ford Fiesta
Surprised? Probably not… While the current version is eight years into its life, the Ford Fiesta remains the country’s bestselling car. A combination of good looks and a good drive make the Fiesta a great choice for a lot of people. 2016 saw a whopping 120,525 registered (43,000 more than the next bestselling car) and we look forward to the incoming replacement due later in 2017. While it’s hard to say whether the new Ford Fiesta will live up to the old, we certainly won’t be betting against it still being near the top of the list this time next year.
- Vauxhall Corsa
Beaten by the Fiesta but another favourite car in the UK, the Vauxhall Corsa attracts a wide fan base. Whether you’re after a smaller, more efficient engine or a bit more power, there’s something for everyone. With a good drive and low running costs at an attractive price, it’s easy to see why 77,110 Vauxhall Corsas were registered in 2016.
- Ford Focus
Ford strikes again with the Focus making the list at number 3. Known for its great drive, the Ford Focus has continued to be a steady favourite since its 1998 launch. Offering a strong all round package, few cars can match its appeal. With good prices, a range of engines and attractive looks, chances are there is a Focus suitable for you. 70,545 were registered last year.
- Volkswagen Golf
Just slightly behind the Focus with 69,492 car registrations last year is the iconic Volkswagen Golf. Even with the emissions scandal which rocked Volkswagen, the Golf has an excellent reputation. Good quality, well made, offering a brilliant drive and with some great versions available, this is always one car to consider. It’s very highly thought of and regarded by some as setting the expectations other hatchbacks are judged against.
- Nissan Qashqai
The well-deserving Nissan Qashqai is the car that started the small family SUV trend. As weirds as it is to think, when Nissan launched the Qashqai in 2007, it was a bit of a novelty. When launched, conventional hatchbacks still ruled and crossovers weren’t really a thing yet. Fortunately for Nissan, the combination of the Qashqai’s elevated driving position and SUV good looks, with a size, price and running costs closer to a hatchback have made the car very popular. So successful in fact, that many manufactures have done their best to copy it! It will be interesting to see how the Qashqai performs in 2017 and if any competitors can seriously challenge it (we’ve yet to see one). The Qashqai got 62,682 registrations in 2016.
There you have it – the UK’s bestselling cars of 2016. It’s perhaps no surprise to see any of them there as they’re all great cars in their own right; if you bought any of them, you’re in good company! What models do you expect to be the best sellers this year and do you think any of the established ones can be overtaken?
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