What Were The 10 Bestselling Cars In Ireland In 2020?

As we enter the new 211 registration plate, let’s first recap on 2020! What were the bestselling cars in Ireland in 2020?

2020 was a difficult year for everyone, including the motor industry, with Coronavirus causing widespread disruption to the arrival of new models and the retailing of cars through dealerships across the country.

According to figures from SIMI, new car registrations in Ireland in 2020 were down to 88,324 – but there were some winners too as you will see when you scroll down to view the cars more people in Ireland were buying in 2020.

Diesel remains the most popular engine type, while hybrid, electric and plug-in hybrid gained market share in 2020. Diesel accounted for 43.29% of new car registrations for the entire year, while petrol accounted for 36.91%, hybrid for 11.86%, electric for 4.54%, and plug-in hybrid for 2.78%.

Manual transmissions (59.8%) continue to dominate, but automatic transmissions are gaining popularity, particularly with the rise in hybrid and electric vehicle sales.

The hatchback is Ireland’s top selling car body type of 2020. Grey remains the top selling colour and has continued to keep that title for the past five years.

But as promised here are the top 10 bestselling cars of 2020! Is your car on the list?

10. Toyota Yaris

1,915 units

The first of three Toyotas in the top 10 bestsellers in Ireland in 2020. The Toyota Yaris is well established now in Ireland and its popularity was bolstered in 2020 with the arrival of a new generation of the Japanese supermini. Available with a small petrol engine or as a hybrid, the new Yaris has a cool new look and better quality and design throughout.

9. Nissan Qashqai

1,930 units

The Nissan Qashqai is a former #1 bestseller in Ireland. It slipped down the rankings in 2020 but this generation of the Qashqai has had a great run in Ireland since it was launched here in 2014. An all-new generation of the popular Japanese family crossover will arrive in Ireland later in 2021.

8. Volkswagen Golf

2,006 units

The Golf has slipped down the sales chart in 2020 but remains one of the bestselling family hatchbacks in Ireland. The new generation of the iconic German hatchback arrived in Ireland back in summer 2020 with a range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as some new hybrid variants. Performance versions are also available.

7. Skoda Octavia

2,045 units

Consistently one of the bestselling cars in Ireland, the Skoda Octavia returned in late 2020 with a new generation of the car. Also available as an estate, the Octavia offers a spacious alternative and is a favourite of Irish buyers. A plug-in hybrid Skoda Octavia iV will join the range in 2021.

6. Toyota C-HR

2,078 units

The Toyota C-HR has been a real success story for the brand in Ireland since it launched here back at the end of 2016. In 2020, Toyota Ireland welcomed a new facelifted version of the C-HR, which is now sold exclusively as a petrol hybrid, with two versions available. The new 2.0-litre hybrid offers more performance, but the C-HR remains a very efficient and sophisticated hybrid.

5. Hyundai Kona

2,321 units

Another success story, this time for Hyundai and the Kona compact crossover. Since it launched in Ireland towards the end of 2017, it has become a firm favourite with the Irish public. There’s great choice on offer in the range, including petrol, hybrid and electric.

4. Ford Focus

2,502 units

The Ford Focus is one of those perennials of the motor industry and continues to perform well in the Irish market, outselling close competitor the Volkswagen Golf in 2020. It offers comfortable and good value motoring with petrol, diesel and mild hybrid offerings in the range. There’s also a high performance Ford Focus ST available.

3. Volkswagen Tiguan

2,977 units

The current generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan has been a stellar success in Ireland since it launched here in 2016. In 2020 it moved into the top 3 bestselling cars in the country. A facelifted version is expected in 2021, with the arrival of a new plug-in hybrid and high performance version.

2. Hyundai Tucson

3,227 units

Another former number one bestseller in Ireland. Despite a challenging year for the motor industry, the Tucson posted strong sales and continues to satisfy Irish buyers. At the end of 2020 an all-new version arrived here with a stunning new design and new powertrains, including diesel and hybrid. A Tucson plug-in hybrid will join the range in 2021.

1. Toyota Corolla 

3,755 units

No change at the top in 2020! The Corolla has had another incredible year. Since the new generation Corolla launched here in 2019, it quickly became Ireland’s bestselling car. Available as a hatchback, saloon or estate, it offers buyers a fuel efficient hybrid compact car. In 2020, a new trim level was added, GR Sport, and a more performance oriented 2.0-litre hybrid.