The top 10 most popular car models of 2024
Crisis meetings, strikes and declining interest in e-mobility: The year 2024 was challenging for the German car industry. And yet the registration figures on the local new car market decreased only minimally last year.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Office (KBA) recorded 2,817,331 new passenger car registrations, one percent less than in the previous year. The Volkswagen brand, which was plagued by numerous crises, dominated the new car market in this country. Which models were particularly in demand in 2024? This is shown by the overview of GQ.
Car year 2024: These were the 10 most popular models
#10: VW Polo
In tenth place is the first model of Volkswagen: the VW Polo. In 2025, the small car celebrates its anniversary: 50 years ago it was first produced. Since then, more than 20 million people have opted for the model. Last year, the car, which is now available in the sixth generation, was still sold 36,757 times in Germany. Currently, the prices of the model with the entry-level engine (59 kW/ 80 hp) start at 19,835 euros.
#9: Seat Leon
Directly the next model from the VW Group. The compact car Seat Leon is something like the Spanish counterpart to the VW Golf. And this is also well re-reassed in Germany. The model was newly registered in this country 37,129 times in 2024. This results in 9th place in the ranking of bestsellers. The particularly sporty versions of the car are the responsibility of the Seat brand Cupra. Those who decide for the Leon model must currently pay at least 28,130 euros. For this there is the entry-level gasoline engine with 110 kW (150 hp) of power.
#8: BMW X1
Almost 42 percent of the cars sold in Germany last year were SUVs or off-road vehicles. The SUV trend is also reflected in the top 10 of the most popular vehicles of the past year. The BMW X1 belongs to the compact SUV segment - and was the best-selling model of the Bavarian car brand in Germany in 2024. The KBA counted 37,154 new registrations for the car. The prices for the cheapest version, a petrol engine with 160 kW (218 hp) of power, currently start at 43,900 euros.
#7: Opel Corsa
Just like the VW Polo, the Opel Corsa is also a small car that is hard to imagine without from the list of the most popular cars of the Germans. The Corsa has been built for more than 40 years. The car went on sale for the first time in 1982. Last year, the car, now in the sixth generation, was newly registered 43,467 times. The cheapest variant costs 22,680 euros. It competes with a 74 kW (100 hp) petrol engine. The Corsa is also available as an electric car (100 kW/136 hp), then prices start from 29,990 euros.
#6: Opel Astra
Another classic from Opel can be found in the top 10 of last year: the Opel Astra. It has been part of the Rüsselsheim manufacturer's portfolio since 1979. Last year, the Astra was the brand's most popular car. 47,601 new registrations were registered at the KBA for the compact car. Just like the Corsa, the Astra also offers variants with a combustion engine and with an electric engine. The entry-level version with petrol engine and 96kW (130 hp) is available from 29,210 euros. The car starts electrically from 37,990 Euro (115 kW/156 hp).
#5: VW Passat
In Germany, people appreciate what they are used to. This is also shown by the fifth most popular car of the past year, the VW Passat. First presented in 1972, the company car classic from Wolfsburg also ended up in 2024 in 2024 - the Passat is now in its ninth generation and only available as a station wagon - in the top 5 of new registrations. 47,720 sales were needed for this. The entry-level version with 110 kW (150 hp) costs 41,665 euros.
#4: Škoda Octavia
Last year, the Škoda Octavia was even more popular than the Passat. The Federal Motor Transport Authority recorded 50,817 new registrations in 2024 for the model of the Czech brand from the VW Group. The basic variant with 85 kW (115 hp) costs 27,790 euros. The combi variant is traditionally particularly in demand. It is a bit more expensive, costs at least 28,490 euros.
#3: VW Tiguan
We come to the top 3 of the most popular cars in the country. And that's what the VW brand is among themselves. The start on the stand is the SUV model Tiguan, which has been built since 2007 and is now available in its third generation. The VW-SUV was registered 67,057 times last year. The entry-level Tiguan with 96 kW (131 hp) costs 38,250 euros.
#2: VW T-Roc
The small SUV T-Roc has been part of Volkswagen's offer since 2017. Within a very short time, the model made a name for itself, is already in this country for the third time in a row among the top 3 bestsellers. Last year, the T-Roc received 75,398 new registrations. The price list starts at 27,850 euros for the car with the smallest engine, 85 kW (115 hp) are then available. Currently, the T-Roc is also available as a convertible, then at least 36,910 euros are due.
#1: VW Golf
In 2024, the VW Golf was 50 years old and was once again the star of the reporting. Possibly this contributed to leading the traditionally popular compact car classic once again to the top position on the list of new registrations. The KBA reported 100,183 sales for the past year. "The new Volkssport Golf" - this is how VW adverted the compact car in 1974. The claim is still true more than 50 years later. The cheapest petrol engine with 85 kW (115 hp) of power costs 28,330 euros.
Via GQ Germany