SUVs Make Up Six Out Of Ten New Car sales In Europe

The European car market has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, and SUVs have taken center stage. Today, almost 60 percent of all new cars sold on the Old Continent are SUVs.

The days when SUVs were looked down upon in a negative way, as oversized cars that used too much fuel, have been left behind by European buyers for more than two decades.

This approach was built in part because some people believed, and still believe, that SUVs are safer than other types of cars, and in part because the big manufacturers quickly increased their offerings of vehicles that just look like SUVs.

Many vehicles classified as SUVs in recent years are nothing more than hatchbacks or station wagons with slightly higher ground clearance and plastic trim designed to give the impression of a more rugged and solid car. There are famous cases like the Peugeot 208 and the Peugeot 2008, where the difference between the two cars was more aesthetic than constructive. It’s not even worth talking about four-wheel drive, because there is none in this segment of the sedan. Then there are the so-called “cross” variants, simple extensions of the basic models (VW Polo – T-Cross, Toyota Yaris – Yaris Cross, etc.).

Although the interpretation of the idea of ​​an SUV has undergone major changes over time, with this category now including, for the most part, all vehicles that have a somewhat bulky appearance, buyers are still attracted to the idea of ​​owning such a car. As proof, in 2020 SUVs represented about 41 percent of all new car sales in Europe; in 2025 the percentage rose to 59 percent, according to DataForce.

At the same time, the niche hatchback is losing ground. Five years ago, their market share was 35 percent, but now it has fallen to 23.9 percent of total new car sales. In terms of volume, annual sales of the hatchback are on track to fall to 2.9 million, down from 4.2 million in 2020. The sedan and station wagon variants fare even worse, with market shares of around 3.5% and 7.1%, respectively. Everything has been said!

Nevertheless, Europe is dominated by SUVs of all types. The best-selling such vehicle in 2025 is the Volkswagen T-Roc. In the first 11 months of 2025, the German “SUV” sold 196,246 units and has a good chance to finish the year in first place in the SUV segment and third overall, behind the Sander and Clio.

In second place on the SUV sales ladder is another Volkswagen, something closer to what we used to call an SUV. The Tiguan model was sold in 180,683 units in less than a year. The third step of the podium is occupied by the Toyota Yaris Cross, a model purchased by 174,567 Europeans.

Peugeot 2008 (160,104 units sold), Dacia Duster (157,004), Citroen C3 with “forced” entry into the segment (144,191), Ford Puma (141,423), Kia Sportage (139,428), Hyundai Tucson (136,359), and Nissan Qashqai are among the 10 most popular models. (128,919).

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