The UK has a big appetite for hatchbacks with eight of their top 10 best-selling cars in the first half of 2018 made up of hatchbacks. The Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf took top spots in the UK top ten charts. But what about other parts of Europe?
Here’s are the best-selling cars across Europe according to AutoCar UK as measured by market analyst JATO Dynamics:
| Country | Model | Country | Model |
| Austria | Volkswagen Golf | France | Renault Clio |
| Belgium | Volkswagen Golf | Germany | Volkswagen Golf |
| Croatia | Renault Clio | Greece | Toyota Yaris |
| Czechia | Skoda Octavia | Hungary | Suzuki Vitara |
| Denmark | Peugeot 208 | Ireland | Nissan Qashqai |
| Estonia | Skoda Octavia | Italy | Fiat Panda |
| Finland | Skoda Octavia | Latvia | Volkswagen Golf |
| France | Renault Clio | Lithuania | Fiat 500 |
| Germany | Volkswagen Golf | Luxembourg | Volkswagen Golf |
| Greece | Toyota Yaris | Netherlands | Volkswagen Polo |
| Hungary | Suzuki Vitara | Norway | Nissan Leaf |
| Ireland | Nissan Qashqai | Poland | Skoda Octavia |
| Italy | Fiat Panda | Portugal | Renault Clio |
| Latvia | Volkswagen Golf | Romania | Dacia Logan |
| Belgium | Volkswagen Golf | Slovakia | Skoda Fabia |
| Croatia | Renault Clio | Slovenia | Renault Clio |
| Czechia | Skoda Octavia | Spain | Seat Leon |
| Denmark | Peugeot 208 | Sweden | Volvo S90/V90 |
| Estonia | Skoda Octavia | Switzerland | Skoda Octavia |
| Finland | Skoda Octavia | UK | Ford Fiesta |
The Volkswagen Golf turned out to be the top pick of eight countries and it is not surprising given its versatile product offering from hatchbacks to estates and multiple powertrain options. Its stellar practicality in a compact package surely checks plenty of boxes for many.
Another noteworthy country is Norway where its most popular vehicle is the all-electric Nissan Leaf, the only European country where an EV tops the sales chart. The Norwegian government heavily incentivises its people to purchase an electrified vehicle to tackle emissions which explain how it is the only country in Europe that has an EV as their best-selling car.
