The final figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have officially confirmed what many on the road already suspected: 2025 was a landmark year for British manufacturing. In a year defined by shifting technology and fierce competition, Nissan emerged as a standout performer, placing two of its flagship models in the nation’s top five best-sellers.
The success of the Qashqai and the Juke—both proudly built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant—provided undeniable proof of the carmaker’s enduring place in the hearts of the British motoring public.
The 2025 Leaderboard: A Record-Breaking Year
The registration data for 2025 revealed a massive surge in demand for Nissan’s crossovers. The Nissan Qashqai secured a dominant third place in the overall league table, with 41,141 units sold throughout the year. Not far behind, the Nissan Juke claimed the fifth spot, with 34,773 buyers driving brand-new examples away from dealer forecourts.
James Taylor, Managing Director of Nissan GB, reflected on the year’s achievements with pride, noting that seeing these British-built models retain their status as national favourites provided a “great platform” for the brand’s next chapter in 2026.
| Model | 2025 UK Rank | Units Registered |
| Nissan Qashqai | 3rd | 41,141 |
| Nissan Juke | 5th | 34,773 |
Why the Qashqai Stayed on Top: The e-POWER Revolution
The Qashqai has been a staple of UK roads for nearly two decades, but its performance in 2025 was supercharged by the introduction and refinement of Nissan’s e-POWER technology.
Throughout the year, drivers increasingly turned to this unique drivetrain, which offered an EV-like experience without the need to plug in.
Because the wheels were driven solely by an electric motor—with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine acting purely as a generator—the Qashqai delivered:
- Enhanced Appeal: Recent updates gave customers a more “electrified” feel behind the wheel, making it the go-to choice for those transitioning away from traditional combustion engines.
- Instant Response: Smooth, linear acceleration that mirrored a pure electric car.
- Refined Efficiency: Major improvements to the system helped owners achieve fuel economy of up to 62mpg.
The Juke: Elevating the Compact Crossover
The Juke did not rest on its laurels in 2025, either. Nissan’s engineers and designers focused heavily on the “on-board experience,” introducing significant changes to the car’s interior that helped maintain its top-five status.
The cabin was transformed with a redesigned centre console and instrument panel, elevated by new premium materials and an upgraded fit and finish. Connectivity also took a leap forward with a larger touchscreen and intuitive new features, ensuring the Juke remained a favourite for tech-savvy urban drivers.
A Launchpad for 2026: The Electric Offensive
The momentum built throughout 2025 has set the stage for an even more ambitious 2026. As we move into the new year, Nissan is leveraging its sales success to spearhead a major electric vehicle (EV) offensive:
- The Return of the LEAF: Production recently commenced in Sunderland following a massive £450m investment in the UK operations and supply chain.
- The All-New Micra: The iconic model has returned for its sixth generation as a fully electric, compact city car designed to bring responsive handling and clever design to everyday all-electric driving.
- Expanding the Range: The 2025 success of the Juke has paved the way for the arrival of the Juke EV later this year, alongside a new compact city car.
The 2025 statistics proved that the British public still values the blend of innovation and reliability that Nissan offers. By keeping production local and technology forward-thinking, Nissan didn’t just sell cars last year—they reinforced their position as a cornerstone of the UK automotive industry.
