Revealed: Europe’s most popular new cars
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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New car registrations in Europe dipped by just 0.5% during October, according to the latest research, with only SUVs bucking the trend.
According to automotive analysts JATO Dynamics, registrations in Europe’s ‘Big 5’ markets were 829,980 – slightly down on the same month in 2015.
However, year-to-date sales totalled 9,339,623 at the end of October – a 6.6% increase when compared to the same period in 2015.
Volkswagen maintained its position as Europe’s largest car maker last month, despite experiencing a drop in market share of 0.7%. Ford, Renault, Opel/Vauxhall and Audi followed VW in the manufacturers’ Top 5.
The biggest five markets in Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy and Spain) accounted for 71% of the region’s car sales during October.
20) Volkswagen Passat - 9,724
The eighth generation Passat is better than ever. It has slightly divisive looks and isn’t the most exciting car on the road to drive, but it’s a large family car/executive express that’s well built, spacious and classy.
19) Mercedes-Benz C-Class - 10,043
The Mercedes-Benz C Class is a a class act and is priced very competitively, which means it sells in surprisingly big numbers. The latest version is more efficient, well-equipped and luxurious than ever. Available as a saloon, estate or cabriolet.
18) Ford Focus - 10,049
The Ford Focus has been one of Britain’s best-selling cars every year since the Mk 1 was launched in 1998. The latest version is better than ever with its combination of good looks, fun handling, practicality and wide choice of efficient engines – the ECOnetic 1.5 TDCi is capable of 83mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 88g/km.
17) Toyota Yaris - 10,171
Spacious, distinctive, reliable and great value, the Yaris is a sensible supermini choice – and it’s also available as a hybrid.
16) Citroen C3 - 10,210
Citroën is replacing its best-selling C3 model, which has already sold more than 3.6 million examples since it was originally launched in 2002 with a funky new car. In the meantime, the current model is still selling well…
15) Fiat 500 - 10,235
If retro chic, a fun drive and a thrummy, punchy little engine are your thing, then look no further than the 0.9-litre TwinAir versions of the iconic Fiat 500.
14) Peugeot 308 - 10,739
Slippery, stylish, comfortable, practical with a good quality feel, the 308 is a distinctive alternative to the Focus Focus and Vauxhall Astra. The frugal 1.6 BlueHDi’s CO2 emissions are just 82g/km and it’s capable of 88mpg.
13) Renault Captur - 10,976
The Renault Captur is a practical and comfortable compact crossover. Easy to drive with light steering and low running costs, it competes with the Nissan Juke and Mazda CX-3 and once again benefits from the compact SUV boom.
12) Peugeot 2008 - 11,014
Blending low running costs with great practicality, the Peugeot 2008 is riding high off the back of the boom in SUVs – compact ones in its case.
11) Audi A3 - 12,610
Available as a three-door hatchback, five-door sportback, cabriolet and saloon, the versatile A3 is a premium Focus-sized choice which also happens to be Audi’s biggest seller worldwide. Subtly updated in 2016, it’s better than ever.
10) Nissan Qashqai - 13,419
Nissan claims to have created the booming crossover sector with the Qashqai and there’s no doubting its popularity. Comfortable, practical and with low-running costs, the Acenta 1.5 dCi version is good for 74mpg. However, it’s no longer Europe’s best-selling SUV…
9) Volkswagen Tiguan - 13,603
The all-new Tiguan is practical, well equipped and comes with a great range of engines. As well as some off-road ability, it’s a classy, comfortable cruiser. Only launched in 2016, the Tiguan is already the best-selling SUV across Europe’s Big 5 markets in its class.
8) Fiat Panda - 13,934
The evergreen Panda still looks funky – it’s also a fun drive, surprisingly spacious and great value for money. Italy’s No 1 car by far.
7) Opel/Vauxhall Astra - 14,077
Launched in 2015, the seventh-generation Astra is one of the UK’s best-selling cars and it was named European Car of the Year 2016 at the Geneva Motor Show. Good-looking, practical, comfortable to drive and value for money, the 1.6CDTi emits only 88g/km of CO2.
6) Opel/Vauxhall Corsa - 14,136
Launched at the end of 2014, the Corsa is one of the Top 3 best-selling cars in the UK. Arguably, it may not be as fun to drive as the Ford Fiesta, but it is spacious, comfortable, good value for money and earned a maximum five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP. The 1.3CDTi’s CO2 emissions are a low 84g/km.
5) Peugeot 208 - 15,053
Stylishly aerodynamic, well-equipped and practical, the Peugeot 208 is a great supermini choice. Peugeot markets the 1.6-litre Blue HDi version of the popular 208 as the “best-performing non-hybrid vehicle” and you can’t argue with CO2 emissions of 79g/km and a claimed 94.2mpg.
4) Volkswagen Polo - 16,510
Superminis don’t get much classier than the VW Polo. Refined, well equipped and brimming with build quality, the Polo is a sensible choice. It’s also safe, well-built, comfortable and its 1.4-litre diesel is frugal while emitting 93g/km of CO2.
3) Renault Clio - 16,650
The new Renault Clio is sleek, safe, distinctive and fun to drive, while emitting just 82g/km of CO2 in its most economical form which is capable of a claimed 88mpg.
2) Ford Fiesta - 18,847
The Ford Fiesta has been the UK’s best-seller for seven years and judging by the figures for 2016 so far, it’s easily maintaining that position. It’s also good-looking, great value for money and fantastic to drive.
1) Volkswagen Golf - 25,125
The legendary Golf (now in its seventh generation and with a subtle facelift on the way) is better than ever. Great to drive with superb build quality, it has a comfortable cushion ahead of its nearest rivals.