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6 Most Popular Cars in the World by Country (With Pictures)

Akihabara street

Purchasing a new car is a huge event for most people. It’s expensive but exciting, and hopefully, the vehicle that you choose will last many years. However, with so many models to choose from, it can be difficult to sort through them all to find something that you like. One common way to start is to find out what vehicles other people are buying. Keep reading as we list several of the most popular and best-selling cars in the world to help you get the information that you need to make an informed purchase.

car and road divider

The 6 Most Popular Cars in the World

1. Australia

Ford Falcon XR8
Ford Falcon XR8 (Image Credit: FotoSleuth, Wikimedia Commons CC 2.0 Generic)

The most popular vehicle in Australia is the Ford Falcon. Many Americans might remember the Ford Falcon from the 1960s, but Ford stopped production in 1970. However, Ford Australia continued to produce the vehicle until 2016 for the people of Australia, where it was a top seller.


2. China

Volkswagen Santana CN II facelift
Volkswagen Santana CN II facelift (Image Credit: Navigator84, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)

The most popular vehicle in China is the Volkswagen Santana. Volkswagen started producing these cars in 1983 for China and is still making them today. It’s a popular taxicab and police car throughout the country and a favorite among the citizens.


3. France

Renault Clio RS
Renault Clio RS (Image Credit: Guillaume Vachey, Wikimedia Commons CC0 1.0 Universal)

The most popular vehicle in France is the Renault Clio, a supermini car that first became available in 1990. It was voted European car of the year in 1991 and 2006 and is one of only two cars to win the award twice, the other being the Volkswagen Golf.


4. Japan

2022 Toyota GR Corolla RZ (Japan)
2022 Toyota GR Corolla RZ (Japan) (Image Credit:【公式】くるまの話 ROOTS, Wikimedia Commons CC 3.0 Unported)

The most popular car in Japan is the Toyota Corolla, which continues to bring in large profits. It first became available in 1966, and it was the best-selling car in the world by 1974.


5. Turkey

37700 Kızacık-Devrekani-Kastamonu, Turkey - panoramio
37700 Kızacık-Devrekani-Kastamonu, Turkey – panoramio (Image Credit: WOLECİRAPTOR, Wikimedia Commons CC 3.0 Unported)

The most popular car in Turkey is the Renault Symbol, the same car as the Renault Clio, the most popular vehicle in France but with a different name. It’s a comfortable sedan with a sleek body that became available in 1999.


6. Vietnam

Toyota Vios (XP150) sedan
Toyota Vios (XP150) sedan (Image Credit: EurovisionNim, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)

The most popular car in Vietnam is the Toyota Vios. It is a subcompact car that became available in 2002 and is still going strong. Toyota places it just below the Toyota Corolla, and it’s primarily available in southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan.

car and road divider

The 7 Best-Selling Cars in the United States

1. Toyota Camry

2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Image Credit: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 135,925

The Toyota Camry is currently the king of cars, slightly beating out its close relative, the Toyota Corolla, with more than 135,000 units sold in 2022. It comfortably seats five and can get more than 50 miles per gallon on the highway or in the city. It’s also attractive and comfortable to ride in.


2. Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla LE standard
2020 Toyota Corolla LE standard (Image Credit: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 116,832

The Toyota Corolla is an extremely popular vehicle worldwide, and it continues to have strong sales despite many people switching to SUVs. These cars have excellent fuel efficiency and are reliable and affordable, making this model a great choice for a first car.


3. Tesla Model Y

2020 Tesla Model Y
2020 Tesla Model Y (Image Credit: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 108,000

The Tesla Model Y is a popular all-electric vehicle with good acceleration and a high-tech interior. It continues to sell despite being more expensive than many other models on this list. It’s an attractive vehicle that proves that electric cars can have plenty of power. It has many features and provides a smooth ride.


4. Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 (Image Credit: Raymond Wambsgans, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 2.0 Generic)
Units sold: 90,100

The Tesla Model 3 is the vehicle that paved the way for the Model Y. It’s an electric vehicle that’s less expensive than the Model Y yet provides the owner with a good driving range of more than 350 miles per charge. It has plenty of power to get in and out of traffic, and it looks good too.


5. Honda Accord

Honda Accord X
Image Credit: Honda Accord X (Image Credit: Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 80,422

The Honda Accord is a popular vehicle that often challenges the Toyota Camry for the top spot. It has a spacious interior and an attractive appearance. It’s also affordable, making it a great choice for a first car. Supply issues are likely responsible for dropping sales, but it’s still going strong, selling more than 80,000 units in 2022.


6. Nissan Altima

2019 Nissan Altima S
2019 Nissan Altima S (Image Credit: WNYY98, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 78,610

The Nissan Altima is one of the few models on this list with more sales in 2022 despite many people moving to SUVs. It’s an all-wheel-drive mid-size sedan with plenty of room in the cabin, providing a comfortable ride for the entire family. It can get up to 39 miles per gallon on the highway and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission that delivers even acceleration.


7. Honda Civic

Honda Civic Coupe SI
Honda Civic Coupe SI (Image Credit: Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 70,335

The Honda Civic is an affordable and attractive vehicle that more people might have purchased had it not been for supply shortages causing the car to be unavailable for much of the year. It has a comfortable cabin and it handles well on any terrain. It also has a great sound system and is fuel efficient.

car and road divider

The 3 Best-Selling Cars in the World

1. Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla (Image Credit: Abdulrafeh857, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold: 40 million

Despite falling slightly in popularity over the last several years due to supply issues and the increasing popularity of the SUV, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in the world, with roughly 40 million units purchased by consumers since 1966.


2. Volkswagen Beetle

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (A5) China
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (A5) China (Image Credit: Dinkun Chen, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
Units sold:  21.5 million

Almost anyone can recognize the Volkswagen beetle. The German company Volkswagen built them from 1938 until 2003 and sold 21.5 million units during that time.


3. AvtoVAZ Lada Classic

Units sold: 17.75 million

The AvtoVAZ Lada Classic is a Russian vehicle that we don’t see too often in the United States. However, from 1970 until 2012, it was one of Europe’s most popular vehicles, and consumers purchased approximately 17.75 million units.

car and road divider

Summary

The best-selling car of all time is the Toyota Corolla, with more than 40 million units sold, followed by the Volkswagen Beetle. The Corolla is still the most popular car in Japan, but it fell behind the Toyota Camry in America this year, and it’s now the second most popular car. Other interesting inclusions on the list include the two Tesla models, which show that some people are willing to spend extra to move away from fossil fuels, and the Honda Civic, which proves that people want to purchase an affordable and reliable car.


Featured Image Credit: Felix Fuchs, Unsplash

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