Most popular used cars in Bristol

What cars are the people of Bristol buying? We’ve delved into our data to see which are the nine most popular models for customers using Carmoola car finance in Bristol.

The majority are hatchbacks, but there are three SUVs and one saloon in the mix, and there’s a fairly even split between premium and non-premium brands.  

According to our data, the most popular used cars in Bristol are:

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class
• Volkswagen Golf
• BMW X1
• Range Rover Evoque
• Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Nissan Juke
• Ford Focus
• Toyota Aygo
• Seat Leon

Mercedes-Benz A-Class 

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a premium-brand hatchback that’s perfect for a bustling city like Bristol. It’s what you might call ‘right-sized’, being compact enough to thread down busy streets and into tight parking spaces, but spacious enough for four adults and their weekend bags. 

The A-Class’s interior has a real feel-good factor, too, which makes stop-start traffic or a trek up the M4 or M5 more bearable. As well as plush materials, there’s a very swish infotainment system that looks great and offers cool features, including an augmented reality function for the sat-nav display that helps you negotiate tricky road junctions. Every version of the latest A-Class (on sale since 2018) is exempt from the Bristol Clean Air Zone charge, and if you want to keep your carbon footprint to a minimum, there’s a plug-in hybrid with an electric-only range of more than 50 miles. With such a spread of talents, it’s no wonder the A-Class is also a top-three car pick in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.

Volkswagen Golf

The name Volkswagen literally means ‘the people’s car’ and the Volkswagen Golf is certainly that, with more than 37 million sold globally since 1974. You’ll spot Golfs of all ages at Bristol dealerships and, as well as being popular with Carmoola customers there, it’s a favourite in Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham. 

The thing is, the Golf is one of those cars that’s supremely likeable. Every version is comfortable and reassuring to drive, practical enough to be a family car and classy without being showy. And, like Cribbs Causeway, the Golf offers something for everyone. There are budget-friendly options at one end of the range, through to estate versions, a plug-in hybrid, the Golf GTI hot hatch and the even faster Golf R. 

BMW X1

While Carmoola customers in other UK cities favour BMW’s 1 Series hatchback or 3 Series saloon and estate models, Bristolians prefer the BMW X1 SUV. In fact, it’s the only place where it ranked as a top-seller. Maybe Bristol's position as the gateway to some stunning countryside means its drivers prefer something more outdoorsy.

Tough looks aside, the X1 is as smooth and sophisticated as you’d expect of a BMW. It’s good to drive, with a sporty character, and it has a high-tech, high-quality interior. And despite being the brand’s smallest SUV, it’s very practical, with a larger-than-average boot and a rear seat that folds in three sections for added versatility.

Good residual values mean that you can find some well-priced PCP car finance deals for the X1, and as well as fuel-efficient petrol or diesel models, there’s a plug-in hybrid version and the pure-electric iX1. 

Range Rover Evoque

While full-size Range Rovers are a common sight in the surrounding areas, it's the smaller Range Rover Evoque that's a big seller in the South West's largest city. Its compact size makes it a lot easier to park, yet you still get the commanding driving position and upmarket image of a Range Rover.

With its minimalist, high-end interior and sleek exterior, the Evoque fits right in among the boutiques of Clifton Village. Venture a few miles out of the city, however, and the Evoque has the ability to tackle off-road terrain that would leave most SUVs stranded. That blend of luxury and ruggedness seems to have a unique appeal in Bristol, since the Evoque doesn’t make the top nine in any of the other cities we looked at. 

Mercedes-Benz CLA

While SUVs and hatchbacks top the list of best-selling cars in the UK, many Bristol car buyers still appreciate a good saloon. The Mercedes-Benz CLA is exactly that, even if its curvy shape and low roofline mean it actually looks more like a coupe. Quirky and distinctive, it’s a car that Bristolians clearly ‘get’ but which isn’t a top choice in the other cities we looked at. 

Despite its sporty looks, the CLA gives you four-door practicality and a large boot. The interior is packed with tech, too, including a huge widescreen display and advanced features such as the ability to control functions using a simple gesture or voice prompt. Handy when you’re trying to negotiate Bristol’s notoriously confusing road layouts. There are nippy petrol versions, extremely fast AMG versions and an eco-friendly plug-in hybrid model. 

Nissan Juke

Bristol drivers are big fans of SUVs, and of the three on this list, the Juke is the smallest. That makes it perfect for the packed streets of Bedminster, Bishopston and beyond, while still giving you the raised stance and sense of adventure of a ‘proper’ SUV. 

Bristol is the only place where the Juke makes the top nine for Carmoola customers, and it’s a great fit for the city’s vibrant culture thanks to its edgy design and bold colour options. It certainly looks right at home among the graffiti and the Banksy murals.

Whether you buy outright or via a car finance or car refinance deal, the Juke is one of the most affordable options, yet it ticks all the right tech boxes, with available features such as a 360-degree parking camera and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

Ford Focus

Look along the streets of any UK city, and you’re likely to see a Ford Focus or two. In Bristol, it’s no different because the Ford Focus is a top choice for Carmoola customers, as it is in Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Liverpool.

What’s made the Focus such a big seller over the past 25+ years? The way it drives has always been a big part of its appeal, with a precise, responsive feel that can make journeys that bit more enjoyable. And with Bristol’s roads regularly named as some of the most congested in the UK, perhaps drivers in the city benefit from adding a bit of spark to their drive. The Focus also offers excellent value for money, and many models have useful features such as a heated windscreen and adaptive cruise control. 

Toyota Aygo

According to our data, no other city in the UK appreciates the Toyota Aygo as much as Bristol because it's the only one where it makes the top nine. You could argue that the rest of the UK doesn't know what it's missing, since the Aygo is one of the best city cars you can buy.

Its tiny size means it'll fit in the tightest parking spot, while it gives rock-bottom running costs thanks to low insurance group ratings. Buy through HP car finance, and your monthly outlay could be very manageable. Then there's Toyota's legendary reputation for reliability, and the fact that all modern Aygos have a manufacturer's warranty that lasts for 10 years or 100,000 miles if serviced at a Toyota dealership every year. Okay, passenger space is tight, and the boot is tin,y but as a tough, cheap urban runabout, the Aygo is hard to beat. 

Seat Leon

Bristol is known for its independent spirit, and it’s one of only two locations (Leeds is the other) where the Seat Leon is a top choice for Carmoola customers. But while the Leon is something of a left-field choice compared with a Ford Focus or VW Golf, it’s an equally good option if you want a mid-sized hatchback or estate. In fact, the Leon shares many parts with the Golf because Seat is part of the wider Volkswagen Group. The Leon costs less, however, and it’s available with most of the same features and engines. That includes a plug-in hybrid system that gives a pure-electric range of about 40 miles. Enough, in theory, to drive to Wales and back. 

As well as its keen pricing and Latin looks, the Leon gives a sportier drive than most similar cars, and it’s unusually spacious, especially if you choose the estate model. 

Find your next car in Bristol with Carmoola

From high-tech hatchbacks to compact SUVs with personality, Bristol drivers clearly value style, practicality and a bit of flair. Whether you’re cruising through Clifton or navigating narrow side streets, these top picks show you don’t need to compromise.

Thinking about your next car? Learn more about car finance with Carmoola.