Ireland May 2025: VW Tiguan #1, Hyundai Inster inside Top 10

The Hyundai Inster is up to #8 in Ireland in May.

The Irish new car market is weak in May at -8.9% year-on-year to 5,832 units. However the year-to-date tally remains in positive at +2.4% to 79,301. Volkswagen (+7.9%) repeats at #1 with a formidable 15% share, but stays #2 year-to-date below Toyota (-41.7%) freefalling to #4 for the month. Hyundai (+78.9%) and Kia (+64.8%) both excel on the podium. BYD (+90%) ranks #15 in May with 2% share and #17 year-to-date with 1.7% of the market. 

The Top 5 models all frankly beat the market with at least double-digit gains. The VW Tiguan (+74.2%) takes control ahead of the Kia Sportage (+14.9%) and Hyundai Tucson (+88.3%), making the podium 100% SUV. The VW Polo (+134.7%) and Hyundai i10 (+111.1%) surge ahead to close out the Top 5, followed by the Skoda Octavia (-39.7%) in great difficulty and a euphoric VW Golf (+101.6%). The new Hyundai Inster spectacularly breaks into the Top 10 at #8, having ranked #156 in April. This is the Inster’s first Top 10 finish anywhere in the world.

Previous month: Ireland April 2025: VW Tayron breaks into Top 10

One year ago: Ireland May 2024: Dacia Sandero best-seller in declining market

Full May 2025 Top 40 All brands and Top 238 All models below.