While the new car market in Ireland shrunk by 4.4% in 2018 compared to 2017, 125,557 new cars were still registered in 2018.

Which cars captured Irish hearts in 2018? Take a look at my countdown here:

10. Toyota C-HR

2,505 registrations

A new entry into the top ten bestselling cars in Ireland in 2018. The Toyota C-HR is available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine or as a hybrid and was one of the brand’s most exciting new releases in recent years. Here’s my review from 2017 of the Toyota C-HR 1.2 petrol, soon after it first launched here.

Toyota C-HR review ireland
The Toyota C-HR

9. Ford Fiesta

2,724 registrations

The Ford Fiesta is a perennial Irish favourite and an all-new model arrived in Ireland towards the end of 2017. Here’s my review of the feisty 1.0-litre EcoBoost Ford Fiesta from 2018.

Ford Fiesta review ireland
The Ford Fiesta

8. Toyota Yaris

2,855 registrations

No change in position for the Yaris. It finishes again in 8th place in the top ten bestselling cars of 2018. In 2017 Toyota launched a revised Yaris range and I managed to get my hands on a Toyota Yaris Hybrid for review. The Yaris is a straightforward supermini with a lot of fans.

2017 Toyota Yaris review ireland
The Toyota Yaris

7. Kia Sportage

2,875 registrations

The Kia Sportage finishes 2018 in joint place with the Tiguan. It is one of the most visible SUVs on our roads and has become a firm Irish favourite. The Sportage received an update for the 2019 model year. Here’s my latest review of the Kia Sportage.

The 2019 Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage

6. Volkswagen Tiguan

2,875 registrations

The Volkswagen Tiguan moved up the sales chart in 2018 becoming one of Ireland’s most popular SUVs. Here’s my review of the 2.0-litre TDI Volkswagen Tiguan from 2017.

Volkswagen Tiguan Ireland review
The Volkswagen Tiguan

5. SKODA Octavia

3,357 registrations

The SKODA Octavia received a small refresh in 2017 and its value offering keeps it consistently one of Ireland’s bestselling cars. Here’s my review of the 2.0-litre TDI SKODA Octavia from 2017.

Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia

4. Volkswagen Golf

3,760 registrations

The Volkswagen Golf received a refresh in 2017 and has continued to sell well in 2018. There’s a new Mark 8 on the horizon, which we should see before the end of the year. In 2017, I reviewed the exceptionally good Volkswagen Golf 1.0-litre TSI.

2017 Volkswagen Golf review ireland
The Volkswagen Golf

3. Ford Focus

3,777 registrations

An all-new Ford Focus arrived in Ireland in summer 2018, helping the Focus to secure a third place finish in Ireland’s top ten bestselling cars of the year. Here’s my review of the new Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost.

The new Ford Focus
The new Ford Focus

2. Nissan Qashqai

4,004 registrations

The Nissan Qashqai tussled with the Hyundai Tucson all year for the title of Ireland’s bestselling car. It finished second but it doesn’t matter – Irish buyers just love the Qashqai and a sparkling 1.2-litre petrol engine helped keep the Qashqai popular in 2018 as petrol cars began to gain popularity again. The Qashqai received an update in late 2017. Here’s my review of the Nissan Qashqai 1.2 petrol.

Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai

1. Hyundai Tucson

4,026 registrations

The Hyundai Tucson reigns supreme for another year. As we enter 2019, updated versions of the Tucson are in dealers now.

The Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is still Ireland’s bestselling car, outselling the Ford Focus and Nissan Qashqai