The car industry in 2021 and 2022 is nothing like what it has been, possibly ever. Shortages of new and used cars, primarily due to a shortage of microchips used in electronic and navigation systems, have hammered inventory. Popular vehicles are not only hard to come by. They are extremely expensive compared to just two years ago. And though sales figures are lower than years past, the best selling car of 2022 is the Ford F-Series.
For the auto industry, the situation is a double-edged sword. Car companies’ revenue have been hurt by a lack of sales. However, manufacturers need to use far fewer incentives to lure buyers, which improves margins. Dealers can charge more for cars, but they have far fewer of them. (While cars have gone up in price, this is the cheapest car in America.)
The cars, SUVs, and light trucks that have sold well for a decade have not changed, even as the car sales landscape has been altered. Mid-sized sedans have little demand. Small, fuel-efficient cars continue to have brisk demand. As gas prices rise to record highs, fuel efficient cars will be even more attractive.
Remaining consistent with the trend in recent years, and despite soaring gas prices, the sale of SUVs and pickup trucks dominate the list of the best-selling cars in America. This was the case through the first quarter of 2022. The waiting list for some of these is substantial, as people wait weeks, or even months, for the vehicles they want.
To determine the best-selling car of 2022, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Car and Driver’s The 25 Bestselling Cars, Trucks, and SUVs of 2022 (So Far), which lists the best-selling cars in the first quarter. Among the top 25 best sellers are SUVs, including the Nissan Rogue, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevy Equinox.
America’s three full-size pickups have remained the three best-selling vehicles for years. The Ford F-series has been in first place for four decades. Even a drop in first-quarter sales of 31% has not changed that. F-Series sales totaled 140,701 in the first three months of the year. Most years, Ford sells close to 700,000.
Trailing the F-Series, the Ram pickup had sales of 127,116 in the first quarter. This was off 15% from the same period last year. GM’s Chevy Silverado sold 118,796 units from January through March.
Even with gas above $4, America remains a pickup nation and it is unlikely that these three vehicles will be replaced in their spots at the top of the list. Ford, to help secure its No. 1 spot, will launch an electric engine version of the F-150, Lightning. (The Lightning, if you can get it ahead of its launch this week, is among the cheapest electric vehicles you can buy.)
Click here to see the best-selling car of 2022
25. Subaru Crosstrek
> Units sold Q1 2022: 37,463
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Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
24. Nissan Altima
> Units sold Q1 2022: 38,295
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Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News via Getty Images
23. Honda Civic
> Units sold Q1 2022: 38,515
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
22. Hyundai Tucson
> Units sold Q1 2022: 39,655
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Source: Courtesy of Ford Co.
21. Ford Escape
> Units sold Q1 2022: 39,962
Source: y_carfan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Tesla Model 3
> Units sold Q1 2022: 40,200
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Source: YuriyVlasenko / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. Honda Accord
> Units sold Q1 2022: 42,039
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
18. Honda HR-V
> Units sold Q1 2022: 42,168
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
17. Ford Explorer
> Units sold Q1 2022: 42,736
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Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. Nissan Rogue
> Units sold Q1 2022: 45,235
Source: Courtesy of JEEP
15. Jeep Wrangler
> Units sold Q1 2022: 45,551
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Source: justhavealook / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
14. Toyota Corolla
> Units sold Q1 2022: 47,501
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Mazda CX-5
> Units sold Q1 2022: 50,653
Source: YuriyVlasenko / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Toyota Tacoma
> Units sold Q1 2022: 53,182
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11. Tesla Model Y
> Units sold Q1 2022: 55,000
Source: DarthArt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. Chevy Equinox
> Units sold Q1 2022: 56,036
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Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
9. GMC Sierra
> Units sold Q1 2022: 56,617
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Source: kurmyshov / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. Honda CR-V
> Units sold Q1 2022: 58,579
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
7. Toyota Camry
> Units sold Q1 2022: 61,505
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Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
6. Toyota Highlander
> Units sold Q1 2022: 66,026
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
> Units sold Q1 2022: 75,117
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Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
4. Toyota RAV4
> Units sold Q1 2022: 101,192
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
3. Chevy Silverado
> Units sold Q1 2022: 118,796
Source: Courtesy of RAM Trucks
2. Ram Pickup
> Units sold Q1 2022: 127,116
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Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
1. Ford F-Series
> Units sold Q1 2022: 140,701
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