- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Ar He
The most popular cars in Israel. TOP 10 of the year 2022
Knowledge of the past and its analysis help to look confidently into the future. Even though the Israeli automotive market ended 2022 with a 7.8% drop in new car shipments, the share of electric vehicles in total sales exceeded 10% for the first time. We hope that this positive trend will continue in 2023. Remembering the results of 2022, we want to talk about 10 four-wheeled heroes of the Israeli automotive market. Over the current year, the situation, of course, will change, new leaders will appear, but some of the favorites will retain their positions.
10th place: Kia Seltos
With a result of 5,480 vehicles sold, a compact SUV from the South Korean giant Kia was able to squeeze into the top ten. On the global market, this is the brand’s second-selling model after the Kia Sportage, but Israel always has its own situation… In the middle of 2022, the Kia Seltos, which has been produced since the summer of 2019, was restyled, however, Israeli sales results were achieved by the pre-restyling model with a 2.0-liter engine. The CVT and front-wheel drive are combined with an eye-catching exterior with two-story optics and a masculine body shape. We have managed to test it and discovered its energetic and even cheerful nature: the vehicle offers excellent handling and stability.
9th place: Hyundai Elantra
In 2022, 5,669 compact sedans named Hyundai Elantra found their customers. The car was offered in two versions: with a 1.6-liter engine producing 127 hp and an automatic gearbox or a 1.6-liter engine producing 139 hp, which is paired with a CVT. The seventh generation car, which was released at the beginning of 2020, received a bold design, an energetic appearance and slightly more spacious interior. The sedan has not only become more advanced, but for the first time in its history has acquired a hybrid version, which is now offered in Israel. By the way, in 2023 the cost of a hybrid model has risen in price by 5,000 shekels, now prices for the new Hyundai Elantra Hybrid start at 157,900 shekels.
8th place: Kia Sportage
With the result of 5,728 SUVs sold, the Kia Sportage has managed to surpass the Kia Seltos. The car with a length of 4.5 m has a decent wheelbase equal to 2,680 mm, and most importantly, it is available in Israel in 4 versions: with a 1.6-liter engine and a 7-speed robotic gearbox, with a 2.0-liter engine and an automatic gearbox, a fuel-efficient Sportage HEV based on a 1.6-liter engine and even a diesel version (a 1.6-liter engine with 136 hp and an automatic gearbox). All versions are front-wheel drive. This car was released in the 5th generation in 2021. It has a modern design, and hybrid models are equipped with the latest Kia technologies, such as E-Ride, a system for maintaining a smooth ride when driving over bumps (like speed bumps), as well as E-Handling, which ensures more stable cornering. Unfortunately, in 2023, the price of the 1.6 Turbo Plug-in version will increase by 11,000 shekels, up to 249,900 shekels. In general, prices for all versions of the 2023 Kia Sportage have increased by 1,000-5,000 shekels and now start at 168,900 shekels.
7th place: Hyundai Ioniq
The most popular hatchback Hyundai Ioniq found 5,747 buyers in Israel. The first electrified model of the manufacturer has shown that they are on the right track. The car was released in 2016 and was restyled in 2019, becoming ‘smarter’ and remaining relevant. After all, the hatchback has both hybrid and electric versions, and a plug-in hybrid, which is not represented in Israel. The operation of such a car is cheaper than a purely gasoline one, it has some advantages and almost no disadvantages. The hybrid Ioniq produces 141 horsepower thanks to a 1.6-liter engine that transfers power to the robotic gearbox. The electric Ioniq has a 136 hp electric motor.
6th place: Toyota Yaris Cross
Many people like the idea of compact SUVs, which is probably why 6,038 people chose the Yaris Cross in 2022. A little, pleasant-looking Toyota is a new first generation model which entered the market in 2020. The Cross has its own original body, not sharing any common parts with the Yaris. A compact SUV with a length of only 4.2 meters received a hybrid system based on a 1.5-liter engine, and as an alternative, a simple gasoline version. At the same time, such ‘baby’ has a decent wheelbase of 2,560 mm, which allows accommodating 5 people and provides enough space for some luggage. The vehicle is not an off-roader, but offer a good cross-country ability, even in the front-wheel drive version.
5th place: Geely Geometry C
The 5-door electric crossover hatchback appeared on the Israeli market not so long ago and immediately became one of the bestsellers of 2022. It is Geely with its incredibly successful Geely Geometry C leads the Israeli electric vehicle market, ahead of even the super-popular Tesla, which ranks second. A richly equipped car (matrix headlights, all-round visibility) is available in two versions with batteries of different capacities, providing a driving range of 400 or 550 km. The engine develops 204 hp. In 2022, the Geometry C was bought by 6,816 Israelis. They appreciated the design, aerodynamic body, dynamics and capacity of a compact-looking model. In addition, the Geometry C is offered at a very competitive price: last year, the price of the version with a 53 kWh battery in the Pure package started at 140,437 shekels. And in 2023, we are waiting for a new electric crossover hatchback, the Geometry M6, which is expected to become the successor to the Geometry C, which is so popular in Israel.
4th place: Mazda 2
A compact Mazda 2 is a smart choice for a big city, which is probably why it found 6,941 buyers in 2022. At the beginning of 2022, the subcompact 5-door car acquired the fourth generation and a hybrid version, reminiscent of the Toyota Yaris. However, it was the previous 3rd generation version restyled in 2019, in particular the sedans and hatchbacks, that entered the top 10 best-selling cars in Israel. Outside and inside, the cars look similar to the Mazda 3 and are equipped with a 1.5-liter Skyactiv gasoline engine with a capacity of 116 hp and a 6-speed Skyactiv Drive gearbox.
3rd place: Hyundai Tucson
With 7,432 vehicles sold, the Hyundai Tucson compact SUV is included in the TOP 10 best SUVs in the world. The 4th generation model, produced from 2020, has a bold high-tech exterior and modern interior. In Israel, the vehicle comes with three engines: 1.6 and 2.0-liter gasoline units, as well as diesel ones. The first is paired with a robotic gearbox and produces 180 hp thanks to turbocharging, the second offers 155 hp and is combined with the classic automatic gearbox, while the diesel version produces 136 hp and also cooperates with the robotic gearbox.
2nd place: Toyota Corolla
Almost 11,000 of these cars were sold in Israel in 2022: 10,751 cars left the showrooms. The Toyota Corolla is the permanent leader of almost all, not only Israeli, but also world ratings, the real best-seller. Only a person who is completely indifferent to cars does not know the manufacturer’s best-selling model, which has been a real trendsetter in its class since 1966 for 12 generations. Introduced in 2018, the car is sold in Israel as a hybrid hatchback with a 1.8 liter engine, a hybrid estate and sedan, available in hybrid and conventional gasoline versions. In 2023, Toyota Israel will launch an updated Corolla after restyling in 2022: comprehensive facelift, more powerful hybrid versions, upgraded Toyota Safety Sense, new 10.5-inch touchscreen multimedia system and 12.3-inch digital dashboard. The 2023 Toyota Corolla costs from 153,990 shekels.
1st place: Kia Picanto
A compact car with a perky exterior won! In 2022, one of the best city cars, practical and inexpensive Kia Picanto was chosen by 12,971 owners! But back in 2021, the hatchback took an honorable 3rd place in the sales rating of new cars in the Israeli market. Apparently, the new 3rd generation Kia Picanto restyled in 2020 managed to conquer everyone. A conventional 1.2-liter gasoline engine, a 5-speed robotic gearbox, a simple suspension and some personal charm, that’s the whole secret of success. The car has everything you need: direct fuel injection and 84 hp, multimedia, interior styling packages, as well as safety systems. Plus, its price is very attractive… In 2022, the Picanto was sold at prices ranging from 87,740 to 89,140 shekels for the top versions. In addition, a 7-year or 150,000 km warranty was offered. However, in 2023, the price of all versions has increased by 4,000 shekels, the price now starts from 92,900 shekels…
