In the full-year 2024, the top-selling car models in Europe were the Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio, and Volkswagen Golf. The Tesla Model Y slipped to fourth but remained by far the most popular electric car model in Europe in 2024.
Latest European Car Market Statistics 2024 (Full Year): Market Analysis, Sales by Country, Electric, Brands, Top 50 Models, Top 20 Electric Models; 2023-2007.
50 Best-Selling Car Models in Europe in 2024 (Full Year)
The top 50 best-selling car models in Europe in the full calendar year 2024 according to JATO Dynamics were:
Top Ten Best-Selling Car Models in Europe in 2024
The ten most popular car models in Europe, and the relevant fuel or energy types, in full-year 2024 were:
For the first time ever, the Dacia Sandero was the top-selling car model in Europe over a full calendar year. The Sandero has been in the top three since 2021 and has been the most popular car with private buyers in Europe since 2017.
The popularity of the Sandero is largely due to its status as one of the most affordable car models available in Europe. Its price allowed it to top the model ranking in two markets – Spain and Portugal – while it was among the top five best-selling models in France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, and Romania.
Another Renault Group model, the Renault Clio, was the second-most-popular car in Europe in 2024. It improved from fourth place in 2023.
The VW Golf, the top-selling car for years until 2021, increased sales by 17% to move into third from seventh. The Volkswagen Golf regained some traction due to better-than-expected results in markets including Germany, Italy, Austria, and Spain. Nevertheless, the 215,700 units registered last year pale in comparison to the 445,600 and 410,300 units registered in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The Golf and the Tiguan posted the highest increase in volume among the top 20 models.
Last year’s best-selling car model in Europe, the Tesla Model Y, slipped to fourth with sales down 17% – the steepest drop among the top 36 models. The downturn can be partly attributed to the decreasing impact of price cuts offered by Tesla in 2024 compared to 2023 and increasing competition within the market. Despite the downturn, the Model Y was the best-selling car in the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway in 2024. It remained by far the most popular electric car model in Europe in 2024.
The VW T-Roc and Peugeot 208 each slipped one position despite sales being largely unchanged. The Peugeot 208 was the top-selling model in Europe in 2022.
The Toyota Yaris Cross improved one rank position while the Skoda Octavia improved two. The Dacia Duster entered the top ten from 15th and the Toyota Yaris from 14th. The two cars slipping out of the top ten were the Opel / Vauxhall Corsa and the Fiat 500.
Other Notable Model Movements
Further down the model ranking, strong results were posted by the BMW X1 (+30%), Seat Ibiza (+34%), Opel/Vauxhall Astra (+38%), Jeep Avenger (+93%), Suzuki Swift (+38%), Mercedes E-Class (+33%), Seat Leon (+39%), Mercedes EQB (+58%), Mercedes GLC Coupe (+37%), and the BMW X2 (+54%).
Among the new cars introduced between late 2023 and 2024, 78,000 units of the Volvo EX30 were registered, as it became Europe’s third best-selling BEV. Volkswagen registered 32,200 units of the ID.7, hitting the top 20 BEVs; the new MG3 posted decent sales figures of 31,300 units; 26,300 units of the Fiat 600 were registered, below the 37,400 units of the 500X registered in 2023; 24,100 units of the new Renault Scenic E-Tech were registered; while 21,400 units of the Lexus LBX were registered – far ahead of its rival the Alfa Romeo Junior, for which only 5,300 units were registered.
Europe Car Sales Statistics
→ Latest European Car Sales Statistics
- 2025 (Outlook) Europe: Car and Electric Car Sales Forecasts
- 2024 (Full Year): Market Analysis, Car Sales by Country, Electric Sales by Country, Best-Selling Brands, Top 50 Models, Top 20 Electric Models
- 2024: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- 2024 (Half Year): Car Sales by European Country, Top Brands, Top 25 Models
- Full-Year 2023: Car Sales by Country, Brands, Top 50 Models, Top 20 Electric Car Models
