Are you wondering what cars Cypriots will buy? Or are you going to buy something yourself and rely on the public's choice? Either way, if you are curious, continue reading this article!
Let us warn you right away: it is impossible to collect 100% accurate statistics in this case. But we have tried to get as close to the truth as possible, based on general trends, observations and, of course, common sense.
Preferences of Cypriots
It should be stressed at the outset that Cyprus is an island and has no oil fields. This means that petrol is imported from the mainland, from Europe, and is therefore expensive. At the beginning of 2023, the cost of a litre of fuel will be between 1.44 and 1.69 euros. About 3 times more expensive than in Russia.
It is therefore not surprising that Cypriots prefer to buy cars with low fuel consumption. These are both small cars and simple saloons with a moderate "appetite".
The paradox, however, is that hybrids, and even more so electric cars, are still a rarity on the island! There are a few reasons for this:
- Less demand for new cars - more used cars are bought, and among these there are few models with an electric motor;
- Difficulty of transport from the mainland - not many new cars are imported into Cyprus (and this follows on from the previous point);
- local mentality - local Cypriots find it difficult to "move" to something new, they like to do things the old way;
- the small number of charging points - at the moment it is simply inconvenient to have a car that has to be driven three miles to be charged.
Nevertheless, electric cars are slowly making their way to the masses. The process is slower than in mainland Europe, of course, but it has begun. And the authorities are ready to support it. Citizens are regularly given subsidies to buy an electric car. In 2023, the total amount of payments will be 10 million euros. Impressive!
There are often small SUVs and parkettes. They are chosen by people with families. They are perfect for trips to the countryside and comfortable in city traffic.
While driving around Cyprus, you may also come across luxury cars: convertibles, limousines, luxury sports cars and smart sedans. These beauties belong to successful foreign businessmen who do business in Cyprus or have bought property here.
And, of course, it is impossible not to mention that right-hand drive cars are the most popular in Cyprus. Left-hand driving has been maintained on the island since the days of British colonisation.
Top 5 most popular car brands in Cyprus
For many years, the islanders' favourite brands have remained "Japanese". It is easy to explain: they are reliable, cheap, have low fuel consumption and a steering wheel on the right. In 2022, for example, the share of sales of Japanese cars was almost 40% of the total!
Toyota is in the top five in both the primary and secondary markets. It regularly comes first in terms of the number of cars purchased. No wonder: this is a manufacturer with an excellent reputation, quality products and a wide range of models. Toyota offers small cars, comfortable saloons of all classes and SUVs. The latter, however, are less in demand.
Nissan is also in the top five. Its story is similar to Toyota's: reliability, wide choice, long life. And, by the way, good design - for many this is becoming a decisive factor. There is also the opinion that Nissan has less of a brand premium than Toyota. This may or may not be true, but many people really do think that Nissan is less expensive.
The "Japanese" are accompanied by the German car industry. BMW and Volkswagen are the most respected brands in Cyprus. And BMW is more popular on the second hand market, but for new cars they prefer Volkswagen. Both brands are appreciated for their reliability and powerful engines. Among all models of the "Germans", sedans are leading.
And we should also mention Porsche - it is the most popular brand in the luxury segment in Cyprus. More than 200 of them have been bought in 2022, and 80 per cent of them are new. So you're bound to come across one of these beauties on the streets of Cyprus. However, 2/3 of the Porsche's sold in Cyprus are Macan's and Cayenne's.
It is worth mentioning other brands popular on the island: Mercedes (the leader among used cars), Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, KIA, Audi and Mitsubishi.
Top 5 most popular car models in Cyprus
We've compiled the top 5 at our discretion - other cars may be more popular in your area of Cyprus. This selection is not a statistic, just a more specific look. So here we go!
Mitsubishi Pajero
Most common - old modifications and two-doors. One of the most suitable models for driving both on and off-road in Cyprus - quite compact, nimble, with high passability. It is suitable both as a family car and as a loyal friend to the traveller.
Small Toyota
Japanese subcompacts are very popular - both new and used. Women often choose 'small cars' as the second car in the family. Models such as the Aygo, Vitz and similar are preferred. Absolutely tiny models such as the IQ are out of the question, as Cypriots do not like cramped spaces. But moderately small size combined with low fuel consumption is undoubtedly a big plus.
Audi
The A4, A6, Q5 and Q7 - and not from the last few years - are quite common on the roads of Cyprus. These are reliable and comfortable saloons, ideal for driving on good roads. There are also RS models, but these are less common. All cars are in very good condition, even if their age exceeds 15-20 years.
Mitsubishi Lancer 6th and 7th generation
Another beautiful saloon, timeless. It is suitable for both fast driving and quiet business trips with the family. The peak of popularity of these models came in the mid-2000s, when everyone was crazy about NFS games - that was when "Lancers" appeared. The respect and love of the "sofa racers" for the Mitsubishi Lancer is still there today, almost 20 years later!
BMW M3
One of the "favourites" among other BMW models. Powerful engine and the same nostalgic greeting from NFS - in general, the popularity of the M3 is guaranteed for many years! To be fair, not only in Cyprus, but also in many other countries, this series is loved and appreciated. It is reliable, durable and seems to be relevant for centuries.
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Photos: Pixabay, Flickr
