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Over half of all UK new car models available in 2025 are SUVs

Research finds that 52% of new models available in 2025 from the UK’s top 35 manufacturers are SUVs.

Analysis from CarGurus — an online automotive retail platform - has found that there are now 193 new SUV models available to motorists from the U.K.’s top 35 manufacturers, compared to just 30 in 2000 (analysis includes SUVs and crossovers).

Further research from CarGurus revealed that all 35 of the U.K.’s most popular brands now offer at least one SUV in their range, with 57% offering five or more SUV variants (20 out of 35). Considering the top three brands with the greatest number of SUVs, there are 46 different options (18 from Audi, 15 through BMW, and 13 from Mercedes). In 2000, less than half of the manufacturers examined in the study offered an SUV.

The ever-growing popularity of SUVs is reflected in customer demand. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, eight of the ten best-selling cars year-to-date in 2025 are SUVs, with only the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf representing other car categories. Similarly, eight of the top 10 best-selling cars in 2024 were SUVs, with the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Juke, and Tesla Model Y making the top five.

The continued rapid rise in this body style has led to an 18% increase in new SUV models in 2025 vs. 2024. Furthermore, of the 193 variations available, 33% are EVs (64).

The CarGurus team also found that traditionally popular body styles have experienced a sharp decline in availability across the top 35 manufacturers studied, with 52% of new cars available today being SUVs (52%). In particular, MPVs are down by over 70% since their peak to 22 models (compared to 75 in 2011-2015), and hatchback options have decreased by 46% over the same period, from 100 variations to just 54.

Chris Knapman, CarGurus U.K. Editorial Director, said: “Features like the high driving position, flexible interior space, big boot, and potential off-road capability make SUVs an appealing body style to consumers, so it’s no surprise that manufacturers have been racing to meet this demand with an increasingly varied supply of new models.

“Of course, this increase in appetite for SUVs has meant there’s been less demand for other types of cars, with the choice of MPVs in particular having dwindled on the new car market. Buyers after one of these less in-demand body styles would do well to look to the used market instead, where there are still plenty of models - SUVs and otherwise - to suit all price points and needs.”