Passenger Car Sales in Ukraine: Q1 2026 Overview
Ukrainian consumers purchased close to 65,500 passenger vehicles in the first three months of 2026, encompassing both new and used models. Of these, 15,400 were newly registered cars—an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2025. In March 2026 alone, new car sales hit roughly 5,900 units, outperforming March 2025 by 16% and February 2026 by 35%.
Top Models and the Used Car Market
The most sought-after new models included:
- Toyota RAV-4 (1,159 units)
- Renault Duster (1,150 units)
- Hyundai Tucson (636 units)
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (603 units)
- Skoda Kodiaq (429 units)
SUVs and crossovers accounted for 87% of all new car sales in 2026. Notably, 98% of these new vehicles were imported, while only 2% were assembled domestically in Ukraine.
In the used car segment, 50,100 passenger vehicles were registered, including 17,866 imported second-hand cars in March 2026—an 18.2% increase from February. The top-selling used models were:
- Volkswagen Golf (2,448 units)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2,010 units)
- Audi Q5 (1,886 units)
- Skoda Octavia (1,726 units)
- Nissan Rogue (1,716 units)
Gasoline-powered vehicles made up 57.2% of the used car market.
The hybrid vehicle market surged 57% in Q1 2026 year-over-year, with the Toyota RAV-4 leading new hybrid sales at over 1,000 units. In contrast, the electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a downturn in January 2026 following the reinstatement of VAT on EV imports. However, March saw a rebound with 6,361 EV registrations—double the February figure.
Diesel fuel prices reached 86 UAH per liter, while gasoline stood at 72 UAH per liter. Importantly, EVs are exempt from the pension fund levy upon first registration, whereas other buyers face a levy of 3% to 5% of the vehicle's price (excluding VAT). For context, Chinese-brand cars surpassed a 50% share of Ukraine's new car market for the first time in 2025, reflecting shifting consumer preferences.
These figures indicate a gradual recovery of Ukraine's automotive market, highlighted by rising new car sales and growing interest in hybrid models.
While the return of VAT on EVs caused a temporary sales slump, the March recovery suggests market stabilization. The increasing dominance of Chinese automakers underscores evolving consumer tastes and the influence of global trends on Ukraine's local auto sector.