Carwow’s biggest car reviews of 2025

Well, it’s nearly the end of 2025, so we can get a really clear picture of what people have been searching for throughout the year. The Carwow audience is a really interesting one because, while there are lots of motoring sites providing in-depth car reviews, more of our readers are actively engaged in the car-changing process.

That means that the cars below provide a true snapshot of the cars that have captured the British car-buying public’s imagination. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best-selling, but in some cases the two figures do tally up.

There are a couple of clear trends. The first is SUVs – all but two of the top ten cars are SUV-shaped, ranging from large, expensive models to cheaper city-friendly cars. And talk about going electric – half of these cars are EVs, and four out of the remaining five are available as plug-in hybrids.

It’s also very interesting to see that six out of ten of them come from Chinese car manufacturers, which shows the impact these brands have had on the UK market in a comparatively short time on sale. Read on to find out which model topped our traffic in 2025.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

The most popular car reviews of 2025

• 1. BYD Seal
• 2. MG HS
• 3. Jaecoo 7
• 4. BYD Sealion 7
• 5. Omoda 5
• 6. Tesla Model Y
• 7. BYD Seal U
• 8. Volvo EX30
• 9. Volkswagen Tiguan
• 10. Tesla Model 3

1. BYD Seal

The BYD Seal has been around for a little while now but it’s still a really interesting car, and one of the best alternatives to the ever-popular Tesla Model 3. It even looks a bit like the Tesla with its smooth silhouette and sharp-edged styling, though the interior is nothing like as minimalist.

The Seal is great to drive, has a long range of up to 354 miles and is a real Tesla alternative – but it’s no cheaper than the Model 3, so it’s perhaps not too surprising that people who are researching it likely ended up going for the Tesla instead.

2. MG HS

With its big, practical body, the MG HS is a super-easy car to recommend because you just get so much metal for your money. Even the entry-level petrol engine, while not particularly fast or refined, is quite economical and is the cheapest of the lot, while the plug-in hybrid version has a seriously impressive range.

As a family car alternative to much more expensive opposition such as the VW Tiguan or Ford Kuga, the MG HS looks particularly compelling, as it barely costs more than a standard hatchback. We found it to be a good companion when we lived with one for six months.

3. Jaecoo 7

The astronomical rise of Jaecoo is the sort of success every new company hopes to emulate. Since launching in the UK only earlier this year, the Jaecoo 7 has already hit the best-selling cars list, and enquiries through Carwow have been huge – no wonder we named Jaecoo our Brand of the Year in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year awards.

The Jaecoo 7 gets a bargain price tag, loads of kit and a low-cost plug-in hybrid engine, but it’s the styling that makes it stand out from other Chinese options. It looks, for want of a better term, Western – with shades of Range Rover about the silhouette and detailing. That marks it out from the usual bland, blobby Chinese cars we’re used to, and it certainly seems to have caught the public’s eye.

4. BYD Sealion 7

As the BYD Seal is a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model 3, the BYD Sealion 7 snaps at the heels of the Tesla Model Y SUV. The name doesn’t exactly conjure up images of something sleek and stylish, but the Sealion 7 isn’t a bad-looking car, and its interior in particular is definitely a cut above the Tesla with high-quality materials and lots of space.

A battery range of up to 312 miles is a bit par for the course these days, though, and the Sealion 7 isn’t desperately cheap either – so while Carwow readers have been interested in it, it hasn’t hit the heights of the Model Y’s sales success.

5. Omoda 5

The Omoda 5 is a sister model to the Jaecoo 7, but it’s a bit smaller, a bit cheaper, and a bit different in style. It’s more urban, with its rose gold trim and sharp lines, while the Jaecoo is meant to look a bit more rufty-tufty and rugged.

We weren’t too impressed with the Omoda when we drove it, but it seems its tight rear space and a thirsty engine aren’t putting people off.

6. Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y isn’t just a popular EV – it’s the best-selling electric car worldwide, and one of the best-selling models overall. No wonder it’s popular on Carwow, then – and the recent introduction of the range-topping Performance model as well as the stripped-back Standard just widens buyers’ choice.

The Model Y has a long electric range, lots of performance, space-age looks and enough family-friendly practicality for the most demanding users. You might not agree with the founder’s politics, but you can’t argue that his car isn’t very impressive.

7. BYD Seal U

The Seal U might look quite similar to the BYD Sealion 7, and it’s a similar size too – but where that car’s a premium alternative to other posh EVs, the Seal U is a bargain-priced plug-in hybrid aiming at the other end of the market.

Like the MG HS, it aims to offer the most metal for your money, and we reckon the plug-in hybrid engine is a real highlight as it’s smooth, quiet and even quite economical once the battery’s discharged. The boot is a bit small, though, as we’re finding out by living with one for six months.

8. Volvo EX30

The Volvo EX30 was our Car of the Year in the 2024 Awards, and even two years on it seems the shine hasn’t dulled. There’s still a lot to like – a low price tag, considering this is a posh EV from a premium brand – plus cool styling, good EV range and plenty of performance.

We lived with an EX30 for six months – two of them, actually – and really enjoyed the experience, but found that the touchscreen-led interior was a bit fiddly and not all of the tech worked as well as it could.

9. Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is one of the de facto family SUV options, and it’s really interesting that this is the only car on this list that isn’t a Chinese car, an EV, or a Chinese EV. We’re living with a Tiguan for six months and enjoying its blend of practicality and premium features, though one of the plug-in hybrids is probably a more sensible option than our 265hp petrol.

Interestingly, the Tiguan is outsold by both its Golf and T-Roc siblings, but Carwow readers are clearly more interested in the big brother.

10. Tesla Model 3

We round off our list with another entry from Tesla – this time, it’s the Model 3, the brand’s entry-level car. We’ve always been impressed with the Model 3’s value, as despite being a premium EV with serious performance it can be just as affordable on a lease or as a company car than many much smaller, slower options.

There are longer-range EVs around, and many with interiors that are easier to use than the Model 3’s minimalist paradise – but the baby Tesla still has lots to recommend it.

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