Revealed: the 25 best-selling new cars in the world

Topping the global bestseller charts

Last year saw a number of major milestones passed in the automotive world, including Chinese car manufacturers outselling American brands for the first time.

SUVs accounted for almost half the 78.32 million new cars sold across 151 countries, while demand for a certain electric-powered vehicle proved to be the strongest of all.

With information from JATO Dynamics, we have profiled the 25 best-selling cars and SUVs from across the globe in 2023.

25. Honda HR-V – 336,000

Claiming 25th position in the global bestseller chart is the third-generation Honda HR-V. In common with many of the cars and SUVs on the list, it goes by multiple different names depending on the market it is sold in.

In Japan, the HR-V is known as the Honda Vezel, while the all-important Chinese market produces it locally as both the Honda XR-V and Vezel.

The United States is another of the most important countries for the HR-V, with more than 122,000 sold there during 2023.

24. Suzuki Swift – 354,000

Suzuki introduced a new fourth-generation Swift at the end of 2023 but, for our list, the sales figures will be based upon the outgoing car.

The compact supermini remains a relatively affordable choice across the world, with India proving particularly fond of the small Suzuki. Some 250,000 examples of the Swift can be produced at Suzuki’s Indian factory each year.

The latest Swift will be built in India as well, along with in Japan, so expect to see many more sold in 2024.

23. BYD Atto 3 – 355,000

BYD is one of the Chinese brands making substantial progress in Europe, with the Atto 3 introduced to the UK market last year. It has become one of the first BYD cars to be exported across the globe, but BYD’s biggest market is still China, where this car is sold as the Yuan Plus.

Three assembly sites are used to build the Atto 3/Yuan Plus in China, with further production taking place in both India and Taiwan.

Interestingly, this is only the first of three BYD models to be found inside the top 25.

22. Mazda CX-5 – 356,000

The inclusion of the Mazda CX-5 on this list may seem like a surprise, with this version of the Japanese SUV having been on sale since 2017. For a market obsessed with being on-trend, the success of a relatively old model is impressive.

However, Mazda has continuously updated and facelifted the second-generation CX-5 since it was introduced, helping ensure it remains in demand. The United States proved to be the car’s biggest market last year, accounting for almost 154,000 sales alone.

Although a total sales figure of 356,000 looks big, it is well below the CX-5’s sales high of 444,000 examples in 2019.

21. Volkswagen Jetta and Sagitar – 361,000

Europe may have fallen out of love with the ‘Golf with a boot’, but the Jetta continues to be popular in markets that prefer a traditional three-box saloon.

Although the United States remains important for the Jetta, it is China that has the biggest appetite for Volkswagen’s four-door.

Badged there as the Sagitar, with a longer wheelbase than the model made in Mexico for North America, some 285,000 examples were sold during 2023.

20. Volkswagen Polo Hatchback – 364,000

With five production sites around the world, the Volkswagen Polo is truly a global model for the German brand.

Volkswagen may have ditched the option of a three-door hatchback for the sixth-generation Polo, but this does not appear to have had much of an effect on sales.

Latin America remains an important region for the Polo, with Mexico taking a Brazilian-built version of the latest car during 2023.

19. BYD Song Plus and Seal U – 369,000

The second car from BYD on this list is known as the Song Plus in its domestic market, while Europe and the UK call it the Seal U. Curiously, Australia and New Zealand get the same model wearing a Sealion 6 badge.

Although we only receive this model with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, Chinese buyers also have the choice of a pure EV version – and were previously offered one with an internal combustion engine.

Hybrid and EV versions were enough to account for almost 370,000 examples finding new homes last year.

18. Ram 1500 – 374,000

Whatever the market forces across the globe, pick-ups remain a major part of American automotive culture. Enough to see trucks from each of the ‘Big Three’ U.S. manufacturers make the top 25 list, in fact.

The Ram 1500 is the first to make an appearance, with 374,000 examples finding new homes during 2023. This did represent a decline of six percent, though, while its two closest rivals both increased their sales.

Ram has lagged behind in launching a hybrid-powered version of the 1500, with the Ramcharger only released in late 2023. A fully electric version has yet to enter production.

17. Hyundai Elantra and Avante – 399,000

Proving that the four-door saloon still has plenty of fans, the Hyundai Elantra (or Avante in South Korea) enjoyed a five percent increase in sales during 2023.

Perhaps a facelift part of the way through the year helped buoy sales, or maybe it is the halo effect of the high performance Elantra N.

The latter comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 280hp and 289lb ft of torque. There is the option of a six-speed manual transmission, too.

16. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – 412,000

Taking the silver medal in our unofficial American pick-up truck contest, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is also the first vehicle on our list to breach the 400,000 sales marker. Overall sales for the Silverado 1500 were up by nine percent last year.

As with many other American offerings, the Silverado 1500 has received continual updates since the fourth-generation model was launched in 2018.

Big changes for 2023 included a boost in power for the legendary Duramax 3.0-litre diesel engine, which offers the ability to tow trailers weighing more than 6,000kg.

15. Hyundai Tucson – 423,000

The fourth-generation Tucson SUV has been a major hit for Hyundai, bringing modern technology, a host of powertrain options and radical styling together in a relatively affordable package. During 2023, sales of the Tucson increased by 25 percent.

Hyundai actually produces two versions of the Tucson. Europe receives a short-wheelbase model, while the majority of other markets across the globe get a long-wheelbase version with more space in the rear.

The latter is important for the United States, which now accounts for the largest proportion of Tucson sales overall.

14. Honda Accord and Inspire – 451,000

In production since 1978, the Honda Accord has now entered its 11th generation. The latest version was launched at the end of 2022, meaning 2023 is the first full year of sales for the new model.

Production of the new Honda Accord takes place in the United States and Thailand, while China builds its own version: the Honda Inspire.

Although sales figures of 451,000 are considerable, this was actually a nine percent drop compared to the previous year.

13. Nissan X-Trail and Rogue – 461,000

The Nissan X-Trail/Rogue didn’t claim the most sales overall last year, but it did achieve the largest increase compared to 2022. Buyers bought an incredible 80 percent more examples of Nissan’s SUV during 2023.

North America receives the SUV badged as the Rogue, and this market accounts for almost 300,000 of the examples sold during 2023.

When it comes to the X-Trail badge, China was the biggest market last year, with more than 53,000 finding owners.

12. BYD Qin – 473,000

The top-selling BYD is likely to be unknown to motorists outside of China, but this has not stopped it being a major sales success. BYD launched its original version of the Qin in 2012, named after China’s first imperial dynasty.

A second-generation car was launched in 2018, with customers able to pick from petrol, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains.

An all-new Qin was launched in 2024, with BYD hoping to continue the success of its predecessors.

11. Honda Civic and Integra Saloon – 478,000

The Honda Civic is one of the world’s best-selling cars of all time, with more than 27 million examples shifted since the first-generation model entered production in 1972.

Honda released the 11th-generation Civic in 2021, offering both hatchback and saloon body styles. However, the four-door saloon alone is responsible for the Civic’s position on this list.

Aiding the sales numbers are the inclusion of the Chinese-market Honda Integra. This is not to be confused with the reborn, performance-orientated Acura Integra that is sold in North America.

10. Tesla Model 3 – 508,000

We enter the top 10 with the Tesla Model 3, which holds the record for being the first electric car to surpass one million sales.

More than 500,000 examples were sold during 2023, and the United Kingdom accounted for more than 13,000 of those deliveries.

Tesla treated the Model 3 to a substantial update at the end of 2023, including a refreshed Performance version that is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds.

9. Nissan Sentra and Sylphy – 534,000

Drivers in the UK are likely to be unfamiliar with the Nissan Sentra, as this sizable saloon is primarily aimed at North America and Asia.

Although the United States has long been the mainstay market for the Sentra, as with many cars on this list, China is now the biggest buyer of Nissan’s four-door model.

Produced and marketed in China as the Sylphy, more than 376,000 examples found new homes there in 2023.

8. Toyota Hilux – 605,000

The Toyota Hilux has a reputation for being indestructible, partially thanks to the Top Gear TV show. Around the world, it has acted as a dependable workhorse for everyone from farmers to warlords.

Now into its eighth-generation, the Toyota Hilux retains a traditional ladder-frame chassis, with three distinct suspension setups depending on the chosen market.

The future of the Hilux is likely to include a fully electric model, while Toyota has also experimented with a hydrogen fuel-cell pick-up.

7. Ford F-150 – 623,000

Outselling the Toyota Hilux – and claiming the spot as the best-selling American pick-up truck – is the seemingly evergreen Ford F-150. The Ford F-Series has been the top-selling vehicle in the United States every year since 1981, so its inclusion here should come as no surprise.

Ford now offers the F-150 with a range of engine options, including a hybrid version. There is also the all-electric F-150 Lightning, plus the high-performance Raptor for maximum off-road ability.

Expect to see the Ford F-150 riding high again for 2024 sales, thanks to a comprehensive update for the 14th-generation truck.

6. Toyota Camry – 650,000

The Toyota Camry is still the best-selling non-SUV in the United States, a position it has held for some two decades.

Toyota has positioned the Camry saloon as one of its global models. American consumers bought 290,000 examples of the Camry saloon in 2023, whilst 10,000 were sold in Australia.

However, Toyota actually dropped the Camry from its domestic lineup in Japan during 2023, due to a lack of demand.

5. Toyota Corolla Cross and Frontlander – 715,000

Toyota dominates the top five of our list, beginning with the Corolla Cross compact SUV. Sharing a platform with the Toyota C-HR, the Corolla Cross first went on sale in 2020.

The crossover is produced in 10 different locations around the world, including local-market versions in Brazil and Pakistan. Although the rest of Europe receives the Corolla Cross, Toyota decided that SUV-swamped Brits did not need another option.

In China, this model is sold under the Frontlander name, with GAC Toyota and FAW Toyota producing it.

4. Toyota Corolla and Levin Sedan – 803,000

The Toyota Corolla may miss out on a podium spot, but it can take solace in being the world’s most popular non-SUV vehicle of 2023. Plus, it remains the best-selling car of all time, with more than 50 million examples made since 1968.

As with many of the cars and SUVs listed here, the Chinese market helps with sales success. A Corolla-badged version is made by FAW Toyota, while the ‘sporty’ Levin saloon is produced by GAC Toyota.

The Burnaston plant in Derbyshire saw the UK contribute to the Corolla’s success, building it alongside the badge-engineered Suzuki Swace.

3. Honda CR-V and Breeze – 846,000

Taking the bronze medal is the Honda CR-V, now into its sixth generation since the original model was launched back in 1995. The company’s first purpose-designed SUV has gone from strength to strength, seeing it becoming one of the world’s most popular options.

The Chinese market Honda Breeze was, somewhat predictably, responsible for a large volume of sales during 2023. However, the United States was an even bigger buyer, taking home more than 361,000 locally made CR-Vs.

Curiously, other than the low-volume e:FCEV plug-in hybrid hydrogen version, the Japanese market is no longer offered the chance to buy the CR-V.

2. Toyota RAV4 and Wildlander – 1,075,000

As good as the Honda CR-V may be, it is beaten to second place by its close rival, the Toyota RAV4. Total sales topped an incredible one million units in 2023.

More than 11 million examples of the RAV4 have been sold since it debuted in 1995, with the latest fifth-generation car showing no signs of slowing down. During 2023, sales across the globe increased by five percent versus the previous year.

As with the CR-V, the United States was the biggest buyer for the RAV4 in 2023. Some 590,000 examples (including the hybrid model) were bought by American consumers last year.

China was the next largest market, purchasing 325,000 examples of the RAV4 and locally made Toyota Wildlander.

1. Tesla Model Y – 1,223,000

Taking the top spot for 2023, with a simply staggering total production of more than 1.2 million examples, is the Tesla Model Y. This represents the first time an electric vehicle has led the global sales chart.

Making Tesla’s success even more impressive was, as JATO Dynamics notes, the fact that the battery SUV is only sold in a select number of markets around the world. Others on the list are available in developing markets, adding to their potential sales.

A further milestone for Tesla was seeing global sales for the Model Y increase by a colossal 64 percent compared to 2022. Jumping from 743,000 to more than 1.22 million vehicles is a major logistical undertaking. Join us next year to see if Tesla can hold onto its top spot.