Shift to SUVs: European Roads Tell a New Tale

The European automotive landscape, long associated with compact urban hatchbacks, has undergone radical changes. According to a recent Autonews report, in 2025 the share of crossovers and SUVs skyrocketed to a record 59% of all new car sales. In comparison, this figure was 41% in 2020.

Experts note a shift in perception: Europeans no longer see crossovers as “gas-guzzling giants.” Now, compact crossovers are viewed as practical, safe, and convenient city vehicles. Manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Ford, and Toyota responded to the demand with models like the T-Roc and Puma.

The share of hatchbacks in Europe fell from 35% in 2020 to 23.9% in 2025. In absolute numbers, sales dropped from 4.2 million to 2.9 million vehicles. The sedan segment shrank to 3.5%. Historically popular wagons like Passat and Octavia are also losing customers – their share decreased from 10.2% to 7.1%.

Despite the overwhelming dominance of crossovers, the most sold car in Europe for the second year in a row is the Dacia Sandero. The secret to its success is simple – price. In Germany, the model costs less than 13,000 euros ($14,000). Sandero sales grew from 168,000 in 2020 to over 225,000 units in 2025.

The top 5 most popular crossovers in Europe by the end of 2025 are: VW T-Roc – 196,246 units; VW Tiguan – 180,683 units; Toyota Yaris Cross – 174,567 units; Peugeot 2008 – 160,104 units; Dacia Duster – 157,004 units.