Login
My Garage
New hero

More than 50% of car sales in Europe are now SUVs

By Mathilda Bartholomew | February 7, 2024

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

SUVs not only secured the top spot in popularity in Europe in 2023 but also surpassed the combined sales of all other vehicle categories

More than 50% of car sales in Europe are now SUVs

In 2023, SUVs dominated the European automotive market, constituting 51 percent of new car sales and experiencing a significant 19 percent surge from the previous year. This underscores the well-known popularity of SUVs, a trend not limited to the United States where they surpass even pickup trucks in sales. However, the noteworthy revelation for Europe in 2023 was that SUVs not only secured the top spot in popularity but also surpassed the combined sales of all other vehicle categories.

Anticipation of this trend had emerged the previous year when preliminary data hinted at the impending dominance of SUVs, but the confirmation came through a comprehensive analysis by Automotive News Europe. The data revealed that 51 percent of new vehicle sales were attributed to SUVs and crossovers, leaving sedans, trucks, estates, and hatchbacks to share the remaining market share. This marked a substantial 19 percent year-over-year growth for the segment, led by the Tesla Model Y, which claimed the title of the best-selling vehicle globally in 2023. Notably, the Model Y alone experienced an impressive 85 percent increase in sales within the region.

While the European streets may not be inundated with large SUVs, a shift has occurred from small hatchbacks to compact SUVs, particularly in the small and compact people movers category, which accounted for 4.1 million sales. Premium SUVs demonstrated the most significant year-over-year increase, soaring by 31 percent to achieve 843,939 sales. This aligns with the positive trends observed in luxury brands over the preceding year.

Related Articles

You can save big on your car insurance by simply asking
Find out how simple haggling can save you up to £200 on your car insurance renewal. Learn tips to challenge price hikes and get a better...
Car insurance price by title: Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms - who pays more?
Men vs women: who pays more for car insurance in 2025? New data reveals big differences in quotes based on title alone.
Young drivers might soon be banned from driving at night
The UK may introduce Graduated Driving Licences, placing limits on young drivers. Discover the proposed changes and who’s backing them.
The Most Common Mistakes New Drivers Make in the UK
Here are the most common new driver mistakes in the UK to watch out for