Best-selling cars in Europe so far in 2023

The Tesla Model Y tops the charts half way through the year, ahead of the Dacia Sandero and Volkswagen T-Roc

The first six months of the year were healthy for European car sales, according to Industry analyst Jato Dynamics.

A total of 6.56 million units were sold across the continent, representing the highest half-year registration volume since the covid-19 pandemic.

This also represents an increase of 976,000 units year-on-year. Numbers are still behind pre-covid 2019, however, which saw 8.42 million units sold in the same half-year period. 

“Although registrations are slowly rising again, difficulties with supply chain, as well as other post-pandemic factors, means that the market won’t return to the same state that it was in before 2020 for a while,” said Felipe Munoz, Jato’s global analyst. 

Jato added the high prices of electric cars were “a major barrier” to reaching higher sales volumes.

Despite this, the Tesla Model Y surged to the top of the sales charts, finishing June as Europe’s best-selling car and topping the leaderboard for overall sales in the first six months of 2023.

It’s the first time a battery-electric car has topped the sales chart at the half-year stage and means the Model Y finished ahead of other hugely popular models such as the Dacia Sandero, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen T-Roc. 

It brings the number of Model Ys sold in 2023 to 126,565 at the halfway stage – an increase of 204% year on year.

The top five was rounded out by the Dacia Sandero (123,408), Volkswagen T-Roc (123,408), Peugeot 208 (105,699) and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (105,637), meaning three of the top five cars sold in Europe so far this year are from the supermini segment.

Plus, four of the top five cars sold in Europe achieved a year-on-year sales increase. 

Tesla’s surging sales come after the US firm slashed prices for its Model Y and Model 3 saloon. In the UK, Tesla cut prices of the Model Y by £8000 in January this year, while the Model 3's price was reduced by as much as £6500. 

The discounts were introduced to stimulate sales after the firm’s supply dramatically outstripped demand by 34,000 units in the final quarter of 2022. 

Read below for Europe’s top ten best sellers for the first half of 2023: 

*The top 10 best-selling cars in Europe*

*1. Tesla Model Y, 126,565 units, +204% year on year*

Tesla’s stranglehold on the global electric car market continues, with the Model Y appearing to be a shoo-in for a podium finish in this year’s European sales charts. It finished the first six months as the year’s best selling car - can it hold its place until the end of 2023?

*2. Dacia Sandero, 123,408 sales, +27% year on year*

Last year’s second best-seller, the Dacia Sandero, looks set to take the top spot in 2023. Its appeal is bolstered by its exceptional value for money, which will have resonated with buyers as the cost of living crisis continues to hit across Europe. That it’s also a competitive supermini, with a spacious interior and decent handling, makes it an especially compelling buy.

*3. Volkswagen T-Roc, 111,692 sales, +29% year on year*

The Volkswagen T-Roc is always a popular choice in Europe and that looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. It ranked third last year, and its sales even outnumber those of the venerable Volkswagen Golf. A recent facelift boosted its interior quality, addressing one of the few criticisms of this well-rounded crossover.

*4. Peugeot 208, 105,699 sales, -4% year on year*

The Peugeot 208 was 2022’s best-selling car in Europe, but it has yet to hit that pace in 2023. Don’t count it out yet, though. Expect it to challenge for a podium spot once again later this year, as Stellantis works to resolve widely reported problems with logistics.

*5. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, 105,637 sales, +19% year on year*

The cheaper sibling of the Peugeot 208 enjoys strong demand. A refreshed model is due in the coming months – adding Vauxhall’s signature ‘Vizor’ front end and bringing a range boost for the Corsa Electric – which could catalyse its rise up the charts. 

*6. Renault Clio, 100,298 sales, +44% year on year*

Renault’s popular supermini is now a bigger seller than the Volkswagen Golf: who’d have thunk it? Renault also announced the model’s fifth generation would be sold exclusively with a hybrid powertrain in the UK, but all of Europe will benefit from a wider mid-life refresh and design overhaul. A new interior and a simplified range of options are also on the way. 

*7. Toyota Yaris Cross, 96,214 sales, +48% year on year*

It’s not hard to see why the Yaris Cross is a hit. Not only is it a relatively affordable car, but it’s also backed by Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and can easily average 60mpg with a careful right foot. 

*8. Abarth/Fiat 500, 90,464 sales, +6% year on year*

Is there a more recognisable small car than the Fiat 500? It’s been on sale since 2007 and it’s unlikely to be dropped any time soon. More recently, the model gained an electric variant with a battery size of up to 44kWh. Its range is pegged at 199 miles, but mild-hybrid and petrol models remain on sale as well. An electric version of the Abarth 500 hot hatch is also on the way, with sales beginning later this year.

*9. Volkswagen Golf, 88,425744 sales, +6% year on year*

The ubiquitous Volkswagen Golf has been a long-time favourite in Europe, but it was leap-frogged by the smaller (and cheaper) Peugeot 208 last year. Its slide down the charts doesn’t appear to be slowing, based on its latest sales.

*10. Dacia Duster, 86,872 sales, +18% year on year*

The second Dacia to feature in the top 10, the Duster is a capable, hardy and – most importantly – cheap model, capturing a significant share of the booming crossover market. It will soon be joined by the Dacia Bigster, a C-segment SUV spearheading Dacia’s push into larger, more profitable segments.