In 2023, the Tesla Model Y made history by becoming Europe’s top-selling car, a first for an electric vehicle and a non-European brand.
Available since 2020, the Tesla Model Y is produced in the US, China, and Germany. In 2023, it sold 251,604 units worldwide, marking an impressive 84% increase from the previous year, as reported by industry analyst Jato Dynamics.
Tesla outpaced other cars with the Model Y, selling around 17,000 more units than any competitor, including popular models like the Dacia Sandero (234,715) and Volkswagen T-Roc (204,610).
The Tesla Model Y stood out as the sole electric-only car in the top 30. Even its sibling, the Tesla Model 3 sedan, the next best-selling EV, trailed behind at 32nd place with 100,883 sales.
According to Felipe Munoz, a global analyst at Jato, Tesla is doing really well in Europe thanks to the Model Y’s huge success and price drops on their cars. He thinks Tesla’s got the perfect stuff people want, right when they want it.
And that’s not all for the American EV company. It’s climbed to the 16th spot in Europe’s most-registered brands, leaving Volvo and Nissan behind.
On another note, Volkswagen topped the charts as Europe’s favorite brand yet again, selling a whopping 1,343,740 cars. Toyota and Audi followed, with 819,544 and 730,690 sales respectively.
Curious about the rest of the top 10 cars? Take a look below and see if any of them catch you by surprise!
Top 10 best-selling cars in Europe of 2023
1. Tesla Model Y 251,604 sales, +84% YoY
After being available for four years, the Tesla Model Y has clinched the top spot as Europe’s best-selling car. Its impressive range and performance, along with price reductions earlier this year, likely boosted its popularity. Can it maintain this lead throughout 2024?
2. Dacia Sandero 234,715 sales, +18% YoY
Dacia’s Sandero almost clinched the top spot, but settling for second place isn’t too shabby. People love it for good reason – it’s a great deal, especially important with times being tough financially. Plus, it’s roomy, handles well, and fits right in with other small cars. So, even though it’s not first, it’s still a winner in many eyes.
3. Volkswagen T-Roc 204,610 sales, +13% YoY
People in Europe love the Volkswagen T-Roc, and it’s not hard to see why. It came in third place in 2023, beating out even the classic Volkswagen Golf in sales. Plus, with its recent makeover, the interior is now even nicer than before, making it a top choice for crossover fans.
4. Renault Clio 201,604 sales, +42% YoY
Can you believe it? The Renault Clio is now outselling the Volkswagen Golf! It’s all about those stunning looks and fuel-efficient engine options, like the hybrid and the 1.0-litre petrol. This little French car has really won us over, and it’s not hard to see why it’s a hit.
5. Peugeot 208 193,679 sales, -6% YoY
In 2022, everyone was crazy about the Peugeot 208 in Europe, but it didn’t keep up the same buzz in 2023. Still, it’s a cute little car with both petrol and electric options. And hey, it’s easy on the eyes too.
6. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa 188,154 sales, +15% YoY
The more affordable version of the Peugeot 208 is really popular right now. They’re planning to update it soon with a new look, including a cool front design from Vauxhall. Plus, they’re improving the electric version, so it might become even more popular.
7. Volkswagen Golf 183,716 sales, +4% YoY
The Volkswagen Golf has been a beloved choice in Europe for ages, but lately, it’s been losing its top spot. Still, it’s a solid car all around. Good news though, a freshened-up version is hitting the market next year! We’re pretty excited to try it out.
8. Toyota Yaris Cross 176,285 sales, +29% YoY
The Yaris Cross is a winner for good reasons. It’s budget-friendly and comes with Toyota’s solid rep for dependability. Plus, being a hybrid, it sips gas gently, hitting around 60mpg with a light touch on the pedal.
9. Fiat 500 173,187 sales, -3% YoY
Is there a little car more famous than the Fiat 500? It’s been around since 2007 and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. They’ve even made an electric version lately, with a big battery. But most folks still prefer the regular gas one. They’ve sold over 100,000 of those, way more than the electric.
10. Skoda Octavia 160,662 sales, +43 YoY
The Skoda Octavia wasn’t in the top 10 much last year, but it made a late comeback. Now, they’re spiffing it up with a facelift, set to arrive soon. There’ll be a beefed-up vRS model, fancy new tech, and they’re using eco-friendly materials too.
