Tesla is the brand UK drivers most often expect to be the country’s best-selling car maker in 2036, with 23% of 1,000 respondents picking it in a new survey. CarGurus, the used-vehicle marketplace, commissioned the poll of UK drivers aged 27 or over to mark its 10th anniversary in the UK. Respondents also expect hybrids to be the most popular powertrain over the next decade.
Highlights
- 23% of respondents expect Tesla to be the UK’s best-selling brand in 2036. BMW (20%) and Mercedes-Benz (19%) follow.
- 41% expect hybrids to be the most popular powertrain. Gasoline follows at 33% and fully electric at 32%.
- 40% predict medium SUVs will dominate the next decade. Hatchbacks are expected to fall to third place (21%).
- 38% say they couldn’t live without self-parking technology in the future.
Brand Predictions for 2036
European premium brands trail Tesla closely in respondents’ expectations. According to CarGurus, this indicates that consumers expect today’s leading automakers to stay competitive.
Chinese brands rank lower. BYD was selected by 9% of respondents and MG by 2%. Another 9% believe a new market entrant could be the best-selling brand by 2036.
- Tesla: 23%
- BMW: 20%
- Mercedes-Benz: 19%
- BYD: 9%
- New market entrant: 9%
- MG: 2%
Hybrids Expected to Lead Powertrain Demand
Respondents anticipate a more mixed powertrain landscape. Hybrids lead expectations at 41%. The company says this suggests buyers view them as a practical bridge between gasoline engines and fully electric vehicles, which were selected by 33% and 32% of respondents, respectively. Diesel trails, with 15% of respondents expecting to choose it.
SUVs Tighten Their Hold on Body Styles
Medium SUVs are predicted to dominate the next decade, according to 40% of respondents, ahead of small SUVs at 28%. Hatchbacks are the most popular body style at 28% in a 2026 CarGurus study of the top used cars of the past decade. Respondents expect them to drop to third place by 2036, at 21%.
What Do UK Drivers Want From Future Cars?
Fundamentals top the list of what respondents want automakers to prioritize:
- Longevity, reliability, and ease of servicing: 44%
- Safety technology: 42%
- Improved powertrain efficiency: 31%
Convenience features also rank high. Self-parking technology leads, with 38% of drivers saying they couldn’t live without it in the future. Autonomous driving capability was cited by 30%, and battery swapping by 27%. CarGurus says the battery swapping figure reflects interest in making electrification more practical.
Established Brands Still Expected to Compete
Chris Knapman, CarGurus UK Editorial Director, said: “Tesla’s rise shows just how quickly the automotive landscape can change. Yet despite the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers, UK buyers still expect established European brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz to challenge for the top spot in 2036, suggesting Chinese brands have yet to establish themselves as the dominant force in consumers’ minds.”
The company has also published a companion analysis of the brands, powertrains, body styles, and buying trends that could shape the UK market by 2036.
