The Ford Ranger is Britain’s ‘most desirable’ used car, apparently

Forget crossovers and SUVs, what Britain’s motorists really want is a pick-up. That’s according to data released by CarGurus.

By analysing the number of shoppers searching for every model with at least 1,000 cars for sale since the start of the year, it has created a so-called ‘Desirability Score’, which puts the Ford Ranger at the top of the list.

Ford’s lifestyle utility vehicle is joined in the top 10 by the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200. According to CarGurus, the Ranger is the most in-demand car of the year, with 66 people searching for every model available.

“When we’re buying our next car, we naturally consider the practicalities of the vehicle and search for the model that best fits our needs,” says James Drake of CarGurus. “But what if there were no restrictions?

“The CarGurus Desirability Score is the automotive equivalent of window shopping – it shows the models we are most curious about or desire, even if our circumstances make a purchase unrealistic.”

The Porsche 911 is the only non-SUV or pick-up to make the top 10, with 39 users searching for every model on sale.

The top 10 in full

1. Ford Ranger: 66 (Desirability Score)
2. Range Rover: 50
3. Audi Q7: 45
4. Land Rover Discovery: 42
5. Porsche 911: 39
6. Toyota Hilux: 34
7. Nissan Navara: 33
8. Volvo XC90: 33
9. BMW X5: 31
10. Mitsubishi L200: 27

The most desirable rare cars

CarGurus also analysed models with fewer than 100 cars for sale since the start of the year to create a Desirability Score for the rarest cars in Britain. We’re not sure how watertight it is, because it fails to mention the Sao Penza, which is undoubtedly the most desirable rare car.

The Maserati Quattroporte finishes top with a score of 422, while there’s a surprising mention for the Dodge Nitro. Remember that?

1. Maserati Quattroporte: 422 (Desirability Score)
2. Bentley Arnage: 338
3. Audi RS4 saloon: 334
4. Volkswagen California: 267 points
5. Dodge Nitro: 259 points
6. Lamborghini Gallardo: 254
7. Audi RS7: 210

Ah, our mistake – it looks like CarGurus copy and pasted the top 10 without the cars in 8th, 9th and 10th. We must assume that these places were filled by the Penza, SEAT Malaga and Citroen LNA.

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