The most popular cars in the world in 2025: an unexpected leader and rising global sales
The global automotive market is showing modest growth in 2025. For the first time in history, the Ford F-Series pickup truck has become the world’s most popular car, surpassing traditional favorites such as the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Corolla.
New Car Sales Growth: Trends in 2025
In January–February 2025, global sales of new passenger cars totaled 13.17 million units, up 0.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Demand for cars remains highest in countries such as China (3.62 million), the United States (2.33 million), and India (791,500).
Leading Global Automakers in 2025
The leaders among automakers have not changed. Traditionally, Toyota Motor and the Volkswagen Group hold the top positions, but there are some interesting trends in sales. Here is how the largest automakers were ranked by sales volume in 2025:
-
Toyota Motor — 1.822 million vehicles (+15.5%)
-
Volkswagen Group — 1.27 million (-4.7%)
-
Hyundai-Kia — 1.13 million (+5.8%)
-
Renault-Nissan Alliance — 924,500 (-11%)
-
Stellantis — 924,300 (-13%)
-
Ford Motor — 769,500 (+22%)
-
Honda — 673,900 (+4.2%)
-
General Motors — 625,400 (-26%)
-
Geely — 578,300 (+29.5%)
-
Suzuki — 570,100 (+3%)
An Unexpected Leader: The Ford F-Series—the World’s Most Popular Vehicle in 2025
The Ford F-Series became the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2025, with sales growth of 91.1%. This pickup truck model outperformed the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Corolla, which traditionally topped the rankings of popular cars. Notably, the Tesla Model Y, which was last year’s leader, saw a sharp decline and dropped to 7th place. This result was one of the biggest news stories of the year.
Top 10 Most Popular Cars in the World in 2025
-
Ford F-Series — 198,557 units sold (+91.1%)
-
Toyota RAV4 — 189,392 (+20.6%)
-
Toyota Corolla — 171,279 (-4.6%)
-
Honda CR-V — 134,453 (+8.8%)
-
Toyota Camry — 103,156 (+17.7%)
-
Kia Sportage — 96,508 (+5.7%)
-
Tesla Model Y — 95,956 (-41.8%)
-
Hyundai Tucson — 92,329 (-4.5%)
-
Toyota Hilux — 87,768 (+0.1%)
-
Toyota Yaris — 84,877 (+6.1%)
2025 Trends: SUVs in the Top 10
It is noteworthy that seven off-road vehicles made it into the top 10 most popular cars in the world for 2025, confirming the growing interest in crossovers and pickups. These vehicles are becoming increasingly popular among buyers, a trend also driven by improved off-road capabilities and greater convenience for everyday use.
The year 2025 marked a period of significant change in the global automotive market, with the emergence of new leaders and shifting consumer preferences. The Ford F-Series posted impressive results, becoming the first pickup truck in history to take the top spot in sales. This trend confirms the growing interest in off-road models and vehicles with enhanced off-road capabilities, opening up new horizons for automakers.
