As we enter the final month of 2024, the race to be crowned the UK's best-selling car has seriously heated up.
After finishing 2023 as the year's best-selling car, the Ford Puma has clung to the top spot for most of 2024, too, ahead of the ever-popular Kia Sportage and the Nissan Qashqai.
As of November, though, just 84 units separate the Puma and the Sportage - so which will top the rankings by the end of December?
It has been quite a positive year for the UK car market overall, which is experiencing its best year for sales since the Covid pandemic, aided by the arrival of a host of appealing new models.
But which cars join the Puma, Sportage and Qashqai in the UK's best-selling cars top ten?
See the year-to-date list below, starting from January 2024 and using data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Best-selling cars in the UK in 2024
1. Ford Puma – 45,538 units
Can anything stop the Ford Puma? The firm's popular compact crossover has topped the list of best-selling cars in the UK for most of the year, but the Sportage is hot on its heels.
The Puma appeals thanks to its engaging driving dynamics and attractive pricing, plus it has the option of a hot Puma ST variant.
It may not be the Fiesta we all know and love, but it’s a good, capable alternative nonetheless. It even outsold the Ford Transit and Transit Custom vans, which is no mean feat.
There's also an electric Ford Puma on the way, which we're equally excited about.
Read our Ford Puma review
2. Kia Sportage - 45,454 units
The Kia Sportage had a good year in 2023, finishing fourth in the UK sales charts, and it's having an even stronger showing in 2024, hovering close to the very top of the table.
Consistency is key for this family SUV, which entered its fifth generation at the tail end of 2022, sporting an eye-catching design, on-trend powertrains and compelling value for money.
Read our Kia Sportage review
3. Nissan Qashqai – 39,047 units
The Nissan Qashqai was the UK's best-seller in 2022, then it finished 2023 in second place, and it continues to appeal to buyers here with its excellent practicality.
The British-built family crossover's appeal has also no doubt been bolstered by the addition of electrified powertrains for its third generation.
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Can autocar state whether Tesla cars are included or not?
Are we buying purely on the best deals?, people could be buying a car just for transport,not particularly bothered what it looks like ( have we noticed that Battleship grey is thee colour just now?) or indeed if they like how it drives, if you knock of a sizeable discount you'll sell more, how much are punters prepared to pay these days?, or more like, can the afford to pay.
When Autocar write a new, updated article like this, why don't they start again with new comments? Its too much of a chore looking through all the old ones from previous articles.