Carzone Reveals Most Popular Cars of the Year

Carzone data examines the most viewed car makes and models in 2021

Despite a host of new models arriving on the market in 2021, the Volkswagen Golf remains the most-viewed model on Carzone this year, followed by the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class respectively.  Of those motorists currently looking to buy a car, 31% are planning to buy a diesel model and another 31% are planning to buy a petrol model. Nonetheless, a significant 15% are planning to purchase a hybrid model and another 9% are hoping to buy a fully electric model as their next car.

The most-viewed diesel cars are a trio of premium executive models with the BMW 5 Series taking the top spot and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 coming in second and third.

The top-ranking petrol models are made up of compact models including the Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta.

According to our recent data, one in four new cars searched on Carzone are electric, compared to one in 20 at the beginning of this year. The search data also found that the total EV (electric vehicle) adverts viewed on Carzone increased by 109% in November 2021 versus the same period last year. This year, the ever-popular Nissan LEAF retains its spot as the most-viewed electric model on Carzone for the last 12 months with the premium Audi e-tron high on the EV wish list in second place, and the Volkswagen ID.3 in third. The most viewed plug-in-hybrid models are the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 3 Series and the BMW X5, while Toyota ‘s Corolla, RAV 4 and C-HR are the most viewed petrol-electric hybrid models.

This year, the Hyundai Tucson is the best-selling new car in Ireland, followed by the Toyota Corolla in second place and the Toyota Yaris in third place. The Volkswagen Tiguan rounds out the top four places (source SIMI Motorstats).

Commenting on the search data, Karl Connolly, Audience Manager Carzone said: “This year we have seen several new models introduced to the market, but our data shows that car buyers are sticking to what they know when it comes to researching a car purchase. The most viewed cars on our platform have remained mostly unchanged from 2020. We have seen the most change in the EV category where the market continues to expand, and more models are made available. This follows the large rise in interest in EVs we have seen this year from Irish motorists, with a 109% increase in EV advert views on Carzone in November 2021 versus the same period last year.”

Overall Most Viewed Models in 2021  

1. Volkswagen Golf

2. BMW 5 Series

3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

4. BMW 3 Series  

5. Audi A6

6. Ford Focus

7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

8. Audi A4

9. Nissan Qashqai 

10. Audi A3


Most Viewed Hybrid Models in 2021            

1. BMW 5 Series

2. BMW 3 Series

3. BMW X5

4. Toyota Corolla

5. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

6. Toyota RAV4 

7. Toyota C-HR

8. Volvo XC90 

9. Mitsubishi Outlander 

10. Porsche Panamera


Most Viewed Electric Models in 2021         

1. Nissan LEAF

2. Audi e-tron

3. Volkswagen ID.4

4. Tesla Model S

5. Volkswagen ID.3

6. Tesla Model 3

7. Hyundai IONIQ

8. Porsche Taycan

9. Renault ZOE

10. Hyundai KONA


Most Viewed Petrol Models in 2021             

1. Volkswagen Golf

2. Volkswagen Polo 

3. Ford Fiesta

4. Nissan Qashqai

5. Ford Focus 

6. Audi A3

7. Porsche 911

8. Renault Clio

9. Audi A1

10. MINI Hatch


Most Viewed Diesel Models in 2021 

1. BMW 5 Series

2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

3. Audi A6

4. Volkswagen Golf

5. Audi A4

6. Ford Focus

7. Volkswagen Passat

8. Hyundai Tucson

9. BMW 3 Series  

10. Volkswagen Tiguan