Sport utility vehicles have become so popular in the United States that they make up more than half of all new U.S. vehicle sales. But why?
The answer should come as no surprise. In a 2019 survey of U.S. SUV owners by Volkswagen, an overwhelming majority of respondents cited safety, comfort, and increased driving confidence as primary reasons for their choice of car. And nearly one in 10 respondents said they considered themselves lifetime buyers of this larger, heavier, roomier, less-fuel efficient vehicle type.
To determine the best-selling SUVs in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed SUV sales data from vehicle data site GoodCarBadCar. Vehicles were ranked by total unit sales from Jan. 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021. We also reviewed the change in sales compared to the same period in 2020. Name plates that were introduced or re-introduced to the market this calendar year were not considered. Some of the SUVs on the list are among the most American-made cars you can buy.
While SUV drivers may feel safer, some transportation studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggest that SUVs are contributing to an increase in pedestrian deaths. This could be because of their higher seating position and increased driving confidence that make it harder to detect nearby pedestrians and cyclists. An IIHS study also found a big jump in the number of SUVs fatally striking pedestrians from 2009 to 2016. Here’s a list of the most expensive cars to insure.
Not all SUVs are alike, however. Some are larger than others, and this category also often includes crossover vehicles, which are small SUVs typically built on smaller, more cost-efficient sedan platforms. The popular Honda CR-V, for example, shares its platform with the Honda Civic.Â
The lower cost, better fuel economy, comparable comfort, and elevated driving position has made crossovers the most popular vehicle type in the United States. Crossovers might not be very exciting to drive, and they all tend to look more or less alike, but they offer reliable compromise for buyers who want something roomier than a sedan without the ostentatiousness and higher cost of owning a full-size SUV. The top three best-selling SUVs in the U.S. market are all crossovers.
Click here to see the best selling SUVs in America.
46. Hyundai Nexo
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 187 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +103.3% from same period in 2020
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Source: M 93 / Wikimedia Commons
45. Toyota Land Cruiser
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 3,617 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +148.1% from same period in 2020
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Source: toyota.com
44. Toyota Sequoia
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 5,066 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +58.6% from same period in 2020
43. Mazda CX-3
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 5,961 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +4.3% from same period in 2020
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Source: Getty Images / Getty Images
42. Lincoln Navigator
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 10,226 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +30.3% from same period in 2020
41. Lexus UX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 11,236 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +23.9% from same period in 2020
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40. Lincoln Aviator
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 12,982 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +9.8% from same period in 2020
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Source: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
39. Lincoln MKX/Nautilus
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 13,843 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +12.5% from same period in 2020
Source: Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
38. Lincoln MKC
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 14,106 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +3.7% from same period in 2020
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Source: kia.com
37. Kia Niro
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 14,465 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +51.3% from same period in 2020
Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
36. Volvo XC40
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 17,379 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +48.1% from same period in 2020
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Source: Courtesy of Lexus
35. Lexus GX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 18,013 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +33.6% from same period in 2020
34. Mazda CX-9
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 20,839 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +32.0% from same period in 2020
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
33. Volvo XC90
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 23,669 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +40.3% from same period in 2020
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Source: trangiap / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. Lexus LX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 24,924 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +1,069.6% from same period in 2020
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. Volvo XC60
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 25,097 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +69.0% from same period in 2020
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Source: toyota.com
30. Toyota C-HR
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 28,104 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +12.0% from same period in 2020
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29. Ford EcoSport
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 30,544 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +15.5% from same period in 2020
28. Honda Passport
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 31,288 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +62.0% from same period in 2020
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Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
27. Subaru Ascent
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 33,417 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +10.8% from same period in 2020
Source: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images
26. Acura RDX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 33,479 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +19.3% from same period in 2020
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Source: teddyleung / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
25. Mazda CX-30
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 34,497 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +66.3% from same period in 2020
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24. Kia Seltos
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 36,597 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +97.0% from same period in 2020
Source: TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons
23. Lexus NX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 38,893 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +41.7% from same period in 2020
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Source: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images
22. Acura MDX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 41,081 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +82.8% from same period in 2020
Source: bukharova / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. Ford Edge
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 42,704 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +-28.6% from same period in 2020
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20. Hyundai Palisade
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 49,006 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +11.1% from same period in 2020
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
19. Ford Expedition
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 52,965 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +35.3% from same period in 2020
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
18. Kia Sorento
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 54,063 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +18.0% from same period in 2020
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17. Kia Telluride
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 54,099 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +79.2% from same period in 2020
16. Kia Sportage
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 58,087 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +22.1% from same period in 2020
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15. Hyundai Kona
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 59,302 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +56.7% from same period in 2020
Source: Tramino / Getty Images
14. Lexus RX
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 67,951 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +49.0% from same period in 2020
Source: Bryan Mitchell / Getty Images
13. Hyundai Santa Fe
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 75,876 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +41.9% from same period in 2020
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Source: Courtesy of Subaru
12. Subaru CrossTrek
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 77,616 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +42.0% from same period in 2020
Source: toyota.com
11. Toyota 4Runner
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 81,592 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +22.3% from same period in 2020
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10. Honda HR-V
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 82,273 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +81.6% from same period in 2020
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Source: THEPALMER / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
9. Ford Escape
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 89,633 units
> Year-over-year sales change: -11.5% from same period in 2020
Source: automobiles.honda.com
8. Honda Pilot
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 91,066 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +36.2% from same period in 2020
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Source: Courtesy of Subaru
7. Subaru Outback
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 101,677 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +36.6% from same period in 2020
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
6. Mazda CX-5
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 104,412 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +35.7% from same period in 2020
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Source: Robert Hradil / Getty Images
5. Subaru Forester
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 108,200 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +7.0% from same period in 2020
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
4. Ford Explorer
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 131,592 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +8.0% from same period in 2020
Source: toyota.com
3. Toyota Highlander
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 169,053 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +73.9% from same period in 2020
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Source: Courtesy of Honda
2. Honda CR-V
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 244,729 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +53.6% from same period in 2020
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
1. Toyota RAV4
> Year-to-date sales (January-July 2021): 262,340 units
> Year-over-year sales change: +19.4% from same period in 2020
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