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SUVs are a popular choice for a number of reasons. Power, space, and safety all come into play when choosing the right SUV for your lifestyle and pocket. In this article, we’re looking at the top-selling SUVs in the UK over 2021 and what’s expected to shake up the market in 2022.
The top five best-selling SUVs in 2021 were all small crossovers. The leader of this pack was the Ford Kuga with over 52,000 sales that year. It was closely followed by the Renault Kadjar with over 49,000 sales. The next three spots were claimed by the Vauxhall Mokka, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota C-HR.
These are popular choices because they offer the versatility of an SUV with city-friendly dimensions and lower fuel consumption than many larger crossovers. Those looking for even more space can look at larger options such as the BMW X3 and the Range Rover Evoque.
Mercedes-Benz GLC, Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Mazda CX-5 are all worth a mention. They were either released or extended after their debut, but didn't manage to make it into the final cut of five best-selling SUVs.
These vehicles made up 5% of new car registrations in 2021, which is a fair amount considering how many vehicle types exist today. The complete list, including sale numbers, is:
The best SUV hybrid is the Volvo XC90 T8. The top of the list for best-selling SUVs in 2021 was very predictable with all of them being small, economical crossovers.
There was only one exception to this trend and that was the Volvo XC90 T8, a large luxury SUV with an electric motor. This made it the most eco friendly choice on this list by far. It also had two petrol engines which meant there were no range issues either, due to their vast tank size. With over 23,000 sales that year, it had more than double some of its closest competitors including the Range Rover P400e Hybrid and Lexus RX 450h which both claimed just under 10,000 sales that year.
The main reason for choosing an SUV hybrid in 2021 would be environmental concerns. They are powered by both petrol and electric engines so they emit fewer greenhouse gases than diesel or standard electric vehicles, which were yet to get the same level of investment at this point.
SUVs hybrids could also come with all-wheel drive technology too, making them suitable for off-roading and perhaps the only type of car that can handle rough terrain comfortably.
As well as this, there's a lot less to go wrong: no complicated transmission systems and no exhaust system to maintain either. The electric motor is very low maintenance and doesn't need servicing like the pistons in a petrol engine do.
The most popular small SUV for 2021 was the Nissan Qashqai. These types of vehicles are very popular because they offer more space than a regular city car does, but are much easier to handle and park.
They fold neatly on parking spaces to make maximum use of the available room without having to worry about blocking other cars in or out. This is due to their compact dimensions, which generally fit into smaller spots with ease. Some of them also come with reversing cameras that show what's behind you as you manoeuvre your way around tight corners, making it easy to avoid collisions too.
While there were nine models that all sold almost exactly the same amount by 2021, some stand out for special reasons:
There will be a lot of new SUVs coming out in 2022. However, the most talked about and anticipated release is the all-new Land Rover Defender. It has been over two decades since its predecessor was discontinued and people have been eagerly anticipating its release ever since.
It is set to be one of the best-selling SUVs in the UK as soon as it comes out due to its cult following and iconic status. The all-new model looks very similar to its predecessors with an aggressive front grill and boxy yet aerodynamic design. As it is a 4x4, it has plenty of power which can be seen from its massive bonnet scoop. In terms of fuel efficiency, it will likely come close to BMW's series 3 x3 which claims 52mpg on average through their four wheel drive.
Other new SUVs being released in the UK in 2022 include the new Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR, Ford Focus and Skoda Karoq.
If you are looking for a good used SUV in 2022, we would recommend the Toyota Rav 4 or Land Rover Defender. As these are both very popular with older models still being in circulation, they can be picked up for a good price.
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