Detailed, ranking of best-selling cars in the 1st half brings surprises

The analysis of the best-selling cars of the first half of 2026 brought some surprises. Chinese brands continue to “invade” the market with more models and always at very attractive prices: four of the oriental brands took the lead in the subcompact hatchback, large sedan, medium-large SUV and large SUV segments. Two sub-segments by type of propulsion also dominated, as expected: hybrids and electrics.

There are also other highlights among the leaders. In compact sedans, HB20s overtook Onix by a very narrow margin; in compact SUVs, VW placed T-Cross and Tera in the first two positions; in small pickup trucks, Strada increased its lead to 69% (it was 59%); Among the sports models, 911 came to dominate 65% of the segment (previously 56%).

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The column’s ranking presents its own and technical criteria with classification by silhouettes in 14 categories, plus two for hybrids and electrics. Main reference: wheelbase, plus other parameters. Top sedans (low volume) and minivans (few options) are left out. The research base is the National Registry of Motor Vehicles (Renavam). Only models of greater representativeness within the segments were mentioned. Compilation by Tião Oliveira, from the ADK consultancy.

Best-selling subcompact hatch

• Dolphin Mini, 35%
• Mobi, 33%
• Kwid, 31%.

New leader surprises.

Compact hatch

• Polo, 27%
• Argo, 23%
• Onix, 22%
• HB20, 19%
• C3, 3.3%
• City, 3%,
• 208, 1,4%.

Polo still firm.

Compact sedan

• HB20S, 25.5%
• Onix Plus, 24.8%
• Virtus, 20%
• Cronos, 15%
• City, 9%
• Versa, 5%

Tight HB20S lead

Medium-compact sedan

• Corolla, 56%
• King, 35%
• Jetta, 4%

Corolla resists.

Medium-large sedan

• BMW 3/4 Series, 65%
• Mercedes C-Class, 19%
• Audi A5/RS5, 14%

BMW invincible.

Large sedan

• Seal, 73%
• Panamera, 14%
• Class E, 6%

Price from the leader explains.

Sports

• Mustang, 44%
• BMW M3/M4, 28%
• BMW M2, 24%

Mustang resists.

Sport

• 911, 65%
• Corvette, 11%
• Boxster/Cayman, 10%.

911 extended its domain.

Best-selling compact SUV

• T-Cross, 11%
• Tera, 10%
• Crete, 8%
• Tracker, 6.8%
• Nivus, 6.7%
• Pulse, 6%
• Fastback, 5.8%
• HR-V, 5.3%
• Renegade, 5%
• WR-V, 4%
• Kicks, 3.9%
• Tiggo 5X,3,7%
• Yaris Cross, 3.6%.

Two VW command.

Medium-compact SUV

• Compass, 24%
• Corolla Cross, 16.3%
• Song Pro, 15.6%
• Compass keeps the edge.

Medium-Large SUV

• H6, 21%
• Song Plus, 14%
• Commander, 9%

Extended advantage of the H6.

Large SUV

• Wey 7, 19%
• Atto 8, 13%
• Cayenne, 11%

Chinese triumph.

Small pickup

• Strada, 69%
• Saveiro, 19%
• Montana, 7%

Strada advanced even further.

Medium pickup truck (load 1,000 kg)

• Toro, 23 %
• Hilux, 21%
• Ranger, 15%
• S10, 13%.

Toro defends his position.

Hybrids

• Jaecoo 7.4%
• H6, 3.7%
• Renegade, 3.6%.

Tight race

Best-selling electric cars

• Dolphin Mini, 38%
• Dolphin, 19%
• EX2, 16%

BYD prevails.