If you’re anything like us, you’ll spend too much time window shopping new and used cars online. But have you ever stopped to wonder if some cars are far more popular than others?
Wonder no more, because Auto Trader has revealed the most popular new and used cars of 2019, with the results based on the number of advert views. We’ve listed the results in reverse order, starting with the most popular new cars of 2019.
10th most viewed new car – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Commenting on the results, Auto Trader’s commercial director, Ian Plummer, said: “Volume brands continue to be more successful in terms of physical sales, particularly within the used market, however when it comes to the most popular on our marketplace, the premium German brands dominate.” The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the 10th most popular new car of 2019.
9th most viewed new car – Volkswagen Polo
“As finance accounts for over 90 percent of all new car sales and circa 30 percent of used, these more expensive models are becoming increasingly more accessible to a broader range of car buyers. As such, it’ll be interesting to see how the volume brands will be able to maintain their lead.” The Volkswagen Polo is a popular supermini, so it’s no surprise to find it in ninth place.
8th most viewed new car – Range Rover Evoque
We’re constantly being reminded about the popularity of SUVs, but they account for only 30 percent of the new car top 10. Amazingly, all three are from the Land Rover stable, including the Range Rover Evoque. A new and improved version arrived last year. Richard Aucock’s verdict: “Like the original. Only better. Just as the customer ordered. Let’s watch the orders flood in.”
7th most viewed new car – Mercedes-Benz A-Class
The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a vast improvement over the old model, which probably explains why so many people searched for one in 2019. Richard Aucock is a fan. After his first drive in 2018, he praised its styling, class-leading interior and brilliant infotainment system.
6th most viewed new car – BMW 3 Series
Like the A-Class, online views of the BMW 3 Series would have been boosted by the arrival of the new model. Prices start from £32,500 for the saloon and £34,000 for the estate (Touring). It’s that man Richard Aucock again, this time with his verdict on the new 3 Series Touring. “BMW has successfully transferred its 3 Series saloon market leadership into the estate car sector.”
5th most viewed new car – Range Rover Sport
It’s a while since Richard has driven a Range Rover Sport – it was back in 2015, to be precise – so we won’t garnish this gallery with his words. But it’s clear that the public remains in love with the Sport. Either that or there’s a high concentration of Auto Trader viewers in Cheshire. What else does a Premier League footballer do on his day off?
4th most viewed new car – Range Rover
Given the popularity of EVs, the Range Rover is starting to look like a square peg in a round hole. Indeed, Auto Trader witnessed a 78 percent surge in the number of views for electric car adverts in 2019. It’ll be a while before an electric car nudges the Range Rover off its perch, but give it time…
3rd most viewed new car – Ford Fiesta
Spoiler alert: there are no surprises at the top of the table. The cars occupying the top three positions are predictable – it’s just a matter of placing them in order. The Ford Fiesta finishes third, but remains the UK’s most popular new car in terms of registrations.
2nd most viewed new car – Ford Focus
The Ford Focus grabs second spot, which leaves us with one car…
The most viewed new car – Volkswagen Golf
It’s the Volkswagen Golf. We’d expect to find it here again in 2020, not least because of the arrival of the new eighth-generation model (pictured). Richard Aucock hasn’t driven it, but Tim Pitt has. He likes it. In conclusion, he said: “Much has changed, but the Golf still feels like the benchmark in its class.”
10th most viewed used car – Vauxhall Corsa
Next, we move on to the most popular used cars. Historically, we’ve associated Auto Trader with pre-owned cars – a link back to the days of the weekly magazine. The Vauxhall Corsa is propping up the top 10. Did you know that the classifieds section of the Auto Trader website saw two and a half billion views in 2019? We’re responsible for at least half a billion…
9th most viewed used car – BMW 5 Series
The 5 Series is one of three BMWs in the top 10 used cars. In terms of the overall most popular brands, the premium German brands romped home to victory. Indeed, BMW finished first on the used car list, followed by Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
8th most viewed used car – Audi A3
Speaking of Audi, here’s the A3. In Europe, the Audi A3 jostles for position with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as the most popular premium hatchback. Interestingly, in a not very interesting kind of way, the A-Class doesn’t make the used car top 10…
7th most viewed used car – Mercedes-Benz E-Class
But the E-Class does. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers something for all – assuming you have deep pockets. Whether you’re after a saloon, estate, cabriolet or coupe, the E-Class has you covered, while the All-Terrain and AMG models are on hand to cater for the niche sectors.
6th most viewed used car – Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta can only manage sixth place on the used car list.
5th most viewed used car – Ford Focus
The Fiesta is followed by the Ford Focus, which leaves the rest of the top 10 to be occupied by the Germans.
4th most viewed used car – BMW 1 Series
With the arrival of a new BMW 1 Series, it should be easier to bag a great deal on an old one. Look out for nearly-new examples in the used car network, as dealers will be keen to shift examples of the outgoing model.
3rd most viewed used car – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
We appreciate that this isn’t as exciting as watching The Masked Singer on ITV, but we’re into the top three. In third place we find Justin Hawkins. No, wait, in third place we find the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
2nd most viewed used car – Volkswagen Golf
It finished top of the new car table, but the Volkswagen Golf must accept second place when it comes to used cars. But which car finishes first?
The most viewed used car – BMW 3 Series
It’s… the BMW 3 Series. Come back next year, by which time we’ll know if The Masked Singer gets a second series.