Ready for a drive down memory lane? Using DVLA data, we’ve wound the clock back 25 years to reveal the 25 most popular cars on UK roads at the end of 1995.
These cars were everywhere in the mid-1990s, yet most have almost vanished.
Brace yourself for a feast of family hatchbacks and three-box saloons (and no SUVs).
25. Renault Clio
Number on the road: 185,000
In production: 1990 – present
Just look at the fresh-faced Renault Clio – a car still very much in its infancy back in 1995. By now, the ‘Phase 2’ model had been launched, but underneath it remained the original, first-generation ’Nicole’ edition. Since 1990, Renault has shifted around 14 million Clios, making it the most successful French car of all time. No doubt ‘Papa’ would approve.
24. Renault 5
Number on the road: 185,000
In production: 1972 – 1996
Before the Renault Clio came this, the quite brilliant Renault 5. The second generation ‘Superfive’ was on borrowed time in 1995, but it’s a testament to its greatness that it remained on sale even after the launch of its successor. We grew up wanting a 5 GT Turbo.
23. Peugeot 309
Number on the road: 190,000
In production: 1985 – 1993
Had things worked out differently, this would have been the Talbot Arizona, a car designed to replace the Talbot Horizon. At the time, Peugeot owned Talbot and made a late decision to stick a lion badge on the front and back. Think of it as a Peugeot 205 saloon, only less desirable. That said, the 309 GTI was a brilliant hot hatch.
22. Fiat Uno
Number on the road: 215,000
In production: 1983 – 1995
The success of the Fiat Uno is largely forgotten outside enthusiast circles, but the Giugiaro-designed supermini deserves more credit. The Uno enjoyed an extended life, with production continuing in South America, Morocco and the Philippines, long after European production had ceased.
21. Ford Granada
Number on the road: 285,000
In production: 1972 – 1998
Your dad probably drove a Ford Granada. Back in the day this was a big and bruising saloon for the sales executive on the move. It’s one of half a dozen Fords on this list, but by the mid 1990s, the nation’s love of big Ford saloon cars was beginning to decline.
20. Peugeot 405
Number on the road: 290,000
In production: 1987 – 1996
In his head, your father was driving his Peugeot 405 through a field of burning sugar cane with a beautiful young blonde sat alongside him, all to the sound of Berlin’s ‘Take My Breath Away’. In reality, he was crawling along the inside lane of the A3 on his way to a sales meeting, with Dave from accounts in the passenger seat.
19. Datsun and Nissan Sunny
Number on the road: 300,000
In production: 1973 – 1995
The Nissan Sunny wasn’t the most memorable car ever to grace this country’s roads, but with around a third of a million enjoying active service in 1995, it obviously held some appeal. The outlook was far from sunny for this Nissan in 1995, though; the Almera replaced it later in the year.
18. BMW 3 Series
Number on the road: 305,000
In production: 1975 – present
If you owned an E36 BMW 3 Series in 1995, you were clearly doing something right. The 3 Series was a sign of success. Proof that life was good. Well, proof that you’d met your monthly sales targets, if nothing else.
17. Ford Mondeo
Number on the road: 310,000
In production: 1993 – present
Back in 1995, ‘Mondeo Man’ hadn’t been born. Sure, the Ford Mondeo arrived in 1993, but it was at the Labour Party conference in 1996 where Tony Blair first used the famous reference. Labour won the 1997 General Election and the rest is history.
16. Austin and Rover Montego
Number on the road: 315,000
In production: 1984 – 1994
How quickly the mighty have fallen. Back in the mid 1990s, Austin and Rover cars were still very much a part of British life. The spiral into oblivion commenced soon after production ceased in 1994 and they now score highly in the I-Spy Book of Endangered Species.
15. Volkswagen Polo
Number on the road: 325,000
In production: 1975 – present
There are no such problems for the Volkswagen Polo, which seems to get more popular every year. It’s a car driven by students venturing onto the road for the first time and elderly drivers in the twilight of their motoring life.
14. Rover Metro and Rover 100
Number on the road: 345,000
In production: 1990 – 1998
The replacement for the original Metro arrived in 1990 and would eventually be rebadged as the Rover 100. It was a genuinely good supermini – Euro NCAP crash-test notwithstanding – but few people today seem to care. We rather fancy a GTa, GTi or Cabriolet…
13. Peugeot 205
Number on the road: 370,000
In production: 1983 – 1994
It’s hard to believe that Peugeot’s elegant 205 supermini had only been out of production a year in 1995. Well over five million 205s were produced and the GTI is the greatest hot hatchback ever. Probably.
12. Austin and Rover Maestro
Number on the road: 390,000
In production: 1984 – 1994
The Maestro arrived too late and failed to make a serious dent in a sector dominated by the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Astra. That said, there were still close to 400,000 on the roads of Britain in 1995. Just where did they all go? That’s a rhetorical question.
11. Nissan Micra
Number on the road: 410,000
In production: 1983 – present
In 1995, the Nissan Micra was on to its second generation model – known as the K11 – and there were over 410,000 on the road. Today, the almost-indestructible K11 is still a common sight. They’re like cockroaches, but cuter.
10. Vauxhall Nova
Number on the road: 425,000
In production: 1983 – 1993
By 1995, the Vauxhall Nova had made way for the Corsa, but the Nova still outnumbered the young upstart with the new name. Nova drivers enjoyed wearing a baseball cap backwards and heading for the local retail park. Well, some of them did.
9. Ford Orion
Number on the road: 430,000
In production: 1983 – 1993
Once upon a time, the Ford Orion was a model in its own right. Sadly, the distinction was dropped and it became simply the Ford Escort saloon. The Orion name was lost in space.
8. Volkswagen Golf
Number on the road: 490,000
In production: 1974 – present
Today, there are over a million Volkswagen Golfs on the roads of Britain, but there were half that number in 1995. Then, the Golf had reached its third generation. Now, the benchmark hatchback is into its eighth incarnation.
7. Austin Metro
Number on the road: 590,000
In production: 1980 – 1991
Goodness, this just goes to prove how successful the Austin Metro actually was. Even a few years after production of the original Metro had ended, it was still the seventh most popular car on the roads of Britain.
6. Rover 200 Series
Number on the road: 630,000
In production: 1984 – 1999
And the Rover 200 was the sixth. Still, if it was good enough for Hyacinth Bucket, it was probably good enough for 630,000 people.
5. Vauxhall Astra
Number on the road: 985,000
In production: 1980 – present
The top five is filled with very familiar names. Starting with the Vauxhall Astra, of which there were close to a million on the road in the mid 1990s. Today, the Astra no longer makes the UK top 10 best-sellers list, lagging far behind the smaller Corsa.
4. Ford Sierra
Number on the road: 985,000
In production: 1982 – 1993
Twenty-five years ago, the Ford Sierra was a very familiar sight. Despite making way for the Mondeo a couple of years earlier, there were still around a million on the road. Today, just a few hundred common-or-garden Sierras remain – although around 900 RS Cosworths are still registered.
3. Vauxhall Cavalier
Number on the road: 1,200,000
In production: 1981 – 1995
Our chosen year of 1995 was when the Cavalier made its final appearance, making way for the Vectra. Clarkson’s favourite car had some catching up to do, however – there were 1.2 million Cavaliers on the road.
2. Ford Fiesta
Number on the road: 1,650,000
In production: 1976 – present
The Ford Fiesta is a best-seller today and it was a similar story back in 1995. Back then, there were 1.65 million Fiestas on the road and the Mk3 version seen here was nearing the end of its production life. Our pick is the RS1800 version, which matched the Fiesta RS Turbo’s 130hp output, but without the wait-for-it turbo lag.
1. Ford Escort
Number on the road: 1,905,000
In production: 1968 – 2000
Mediocrity didn’t prevent the Escort from becoming the UK’s best-seller, with a whopping 1.9 million on the road in 1995. The Ford Focus that followed in 1998 was a far better car, but we still remember the Escort with some nostalgia. The nameplate was sold in Europe from 1968 onwards, after all.
The Impreza 22B was built to celebrate Subaru’s three successive WRC Constructors’ titles, and the 40th anniversary of the company. Limited to just 400 examples in Japan, a further 16 cars were imported to the UK under the Single Vehicle Approval scheme. Its 2.2-litre turbocharged engine produced 280hp, while the extra wide bodywork from the rally cars delivered a bespoke look.
The press release for the Ami One concept describes it as a ‘non-conformist mobility object’. In reality, it’s a two-seat electric microcar that, in France at least, requires no licence to drive and is accessible to anyone aged 14 and over. Asked if the Ami could be introduced in the UK, Citroen MD Eurig Druve told Motoring Research “I very much hope so. It’s the perfect Citroen. We’re currently gauging customer reaction – and it’s very strong so far.”
Arguably the greatest Citroen ever made and certainly the most iconic: the DS was a technical tour de force when launched in 1955. It featured hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, plus hydraulic brakes, steering and transmission, and was the first mass-production car to offer disc brakes. Little wonder Citroen received 12,000 orders on the first day of the Paris Motor Show. Over 20 years, 
From a Goddess to a Tin Snail, 
The Citroen SM was a victim of circumstances beyond its control, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be labelled as one of Citroen’s true greats. Think of the SM as a sporting version of the DS, offering hydropneumatic suspension, powered brakes and self-levelling headlights, yet powered by a Maserati V6 engine. In terms of cross-continental performance, it was almost without peers, but the fuel crisis and Peugeot’s takeover of Citroen led to its premature demise.
The Traction Avant, introduced in 1934, is accepted as the godfather of the modern family car. This was the first mass-produced car to feature front-wheel drive, an automatic transmission, independent front and rear suspension, hydraulic brakes and a monocoque chassis. Andre Citroen, the company’s founder, was an obsessive innovator, and the Traction Avant was a reflection of his genius.
So often overlooked, the Citroen GS is one of the most important cars in the firm’s brilliant history. Amazingly, it was launched a mere six months after the SM, making this a golden era for Citroen. The GS brought all-round powered disc brakes and hydropneumatic suspension to the family man; indeed, this was the smallest car to feature hydraulic suspension. In 1971, the GS deservedly scooped the European Car of the Year award, beating the Range Rover, Volkswagen K70 and Citroen SM. Nearly 1.9 million GS/GSA models were built between 1970 and 1986.
The Type A of 1919 represents the very genesis of Citroen – Europe’s first mass-produced car and, unlike other cars of the era, delivered ready for the road. It was also the first French car to feature a driver’s seat on the left-hand side, setting a trend that other manufacturers would follow. Features included fabric upholstery, cushions, spring-loaded seatbacks and interior lights.
The French 
The C4 Cactus, launched in 2014, was a sign that Citroen had rediscovered its mojo. The Airbumps – available in four different colours – ensured the Cactus stood out in a fiercely competitive sector, while protecting the body from car park scrapes and dents. Other features include the roof-mounted passenger airbag and Magic Wash system, with wiper-mounted washer jets. Best served with a petrol engine, which seems to suit the Cactus’ lightness and joie de vivre.
How do you follow an icon like the Citroen DS? The CX of 1974 had the unenviable task of replacing the Goddess and is considered by many to be the last true Citroen. Vari-Power steering was available as standard from 1975, with the C-Matic semi-automatic transmission also introduced as an option. With a top speed of 137mph, the CX-25 GTi Turbo-2 was the fastest French car of its day, while the Safari (estate) and eight-seat Familiale were the ultimate family cars.
The CX was replaced, in 1989, by the Citroen XM – the company’s first luxury hatchback. Its standout feature was the new computer-controlled Hydractive suspension, although early cars were dogged with electrical issues that dented the XM’s reputation. Note the so-called ‘13th window’ between the cabin and the boot, designed to protect passengers from the wind when the tailgate was open.
In 1969, Citroen toyed with the idea of using a rotary engine to power its cars. The result was the Ami 8-based M35, of which 267 were built and given to high-mileage customers. Each car was individually numbered, as can be seen on the front wing of this original press photo. The project ended with Citroen giving owners the option to keep the car, although any that were returned were destroyed. It was left to NSU and Mazda to persevere with the rotary engine.
It might upset the purists, but the ZX was an important car for Citroen. Here was a family car with mass market appeal, good enough to convince over 2.1 million people to part with their cash. It also spawned the ZX Volcane turbodiesel, which could claim to be the world’s first diesel hot hatch. Oh, and if you want innovation, consider the passive rear-steer axle and the sliding rear seat.
Launched in 1996 – three years after the arrival of the Xantia – the amazing Xantia Activa established itself as the flagship of the range. It featured an active anti-roll system that was able to detect lateral inclination and immediately firm up the suspension, eliminating body lean. Not only could the Xantia Activa corner with remarkable poise, it also offered outstanding ride quality.
The B2 was Citroen’s second car and built between 1921 and 1926. The Normande – derived from the B2 pictured – was France’s first real utility vehicle, while Andre Citroen also developed a half-track version, which was the first vehicle of its kind to cross the Sahara Desert.
Many people will have encountered a Citroen H Van without even knowing it, as a large number have been converted into trendy takeaways for use at festivals or in city centres. Launched in 1948, the H Van featured a cab-forward design, backbone-type frame in corrugated steel and front-wheel drive. It remained in production until 1981, by which time 473,289 had been built.
On the face of it, the AX might not seem that radical and innovative, but Citroen went to great lengths to ensure its first genuine supermini hit the ground running. Superb aerodynamics and lightweight construction ensured the AX cost pennies to run, which is why some 2.5 million were produced. The AX GT is regarded as one of the definitive hot hatches of the era.
Proof that not everything Citroen touches turns to gold. Based on the Pluriel Concept of 1999, the C3 Pluriel was designed to be four cars in one: supermini, cabriolet, spider and pick-up. There were one or two problems, including the fact that there was nowhere to store the sections of roof when they weren’t in use. Also, in pick-up mode, the number plate was no longer on show, making it illegal to drive in the UK. The C3 Pluriel: good in theory, not so great in practice.
The C6 of 1928 was the first Citroen to be powered by a six-cylinder engine and designed to appeal to more affluent motorists. To this end, it was more lavishly equipped than the C4, while the C6G MFP adopted ‘Floating Power’, using an engine secured with rubber mounts, instead of being bolted to the chassis. It used a Chrysler patent and helped eliminate engine vibrations.
The C6 of 2005 was the spiritual successor to the C6 of the 1920s and, as you’d expect, it was loaded with gadgets. It featured the Hydractive III suspension system, first seen on the Mk1 Citroen C5, while other options included directional xenon headlights, semi-reclining rear seats, lane departure warning, voice control and a head-up display. Other features included frameless doors, a concave rear window and an air deflector that deployed at speed.
Citroen’s unsung hero, the Berlingo Multispace was genuinely innovative. Here was a van-based compact MPV that offered flexibility and versatility in abundance, including space for five adults and their luggage. Options included a full-length electric sunroof, while the huge tailgate and low floor made it ideal for carrying bikes or incredibly large dogs. Citroen claims to have invented the ‘leisure activity vehicle’ with the first generation Berlingo.
Citroen entered the new millennium with the C5 – a replacement for the Xantia. The car featured Hydractive III, the latest version of Citroen’s self-levelling suspension, which went one step further than before by being able to adjust the ride height according to speed and the condition of the road.
The BX was a game-changer for Citroen, enabling the company to establish a firm foothold in the lucrative fleet and company car sectors. The diesel versions in particular became firm favourites, while sporting, estate and 4×4 versions ensured there was a BX for all. More than 2.3 million cars were produced between 1982 and 1994.
A Citroen Mehari for a new generation – where do we sign? Sadly, the e-Mehari isn’t sold in the UK, but this is one car to hunt down at the holiday rental desk. The four-seat electric car has a top speed of 70mph and a range of 125 miles. We want one.
Robert Opron and Jacques Charreton were asked to revamp the 2CV, conserve its qualities, dress it in a new body and add a few more luxuries. The result was the Dyane – a car with a large tailgate and a full-length canvas roof. Alhough it was designed to replace the 2CV, the Dyane was pulled from production in 1983, by which time an impressive 1.4 million had rolled out of the factory. Meanwhile, the 2CV soldiered on until 1990.
By Citroen’s standards, the Visa was relatively conventional, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find some interesting features. Take the integrated energy-absorbing polypropylene grille and bumpers of the original car – something that led to it being christened ‘pig snout’. The single wiper and ‘satellite’ control unit were also innovative features for the time. The Visa II was a more conservative affair, although the car did live on in the form of the C15 van.
The DS3 was an important car for Citroen, representing the first step on a journey that would lead to the creation of DS Automobiles and a divorce from the mothership. Back in 2010 we were still permitted to call the DS3 a Citroen, and it was a terrific car. Not only did it look good, buyers could choose from a huge range of personalisation options.
Launched in 1961, the Ami 6 was designed to fill a gap between the ID19 and the 2CV. The most striking feature was the inverted rear window – the first time Citroen had adopted this design. The Ami 6 was the first car to be fitted with rectangular headlights. An estate version looked more conventional, and therefore sold in good numbers, before Citroen replaced the 6 with the Ami 8.
When Citroen is compiling a list of its greatest hits, the Bijou is unlikely to get a mention. Indeed, the 2CV-based oddity might be filed under ‘Now That’s What I Call Weird’. Designed and built in Britain (the only Citroen to be designed outside France), the Bijou was created for the Commonwealth. Anglicising the 2CV was not Citroen’s best move, especially as the Bijou turned out to be heavier and slower than the Tin Snail. Oh dear.
The Citroen C4 is perhaps best remembered for its fixed hub steering wheel, with the major buttons used to control the main display staying fixed, even when turning the wheel. The C4 also introduced lane-departure warning, plus buyers could take advantage of a scented air freshener.
The current 
