New car sales have declined significantly in recent years, in part due to shortages that affected supply. The pandemic-fueled shortages of microchips and other components were more recently exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has pressured supply chains worldwide. Analysts tend to agree that inventory shortages are what is really pressuring U.S. auto sales at the moment.
General Motors estimated the annualized pace of U.S. light vehicle sales reached 13.4 million units in the second quarter, down from 17 million a year ago. Separately, Cox Automotive forecasts 14.4 million new vehicles sales by year-end. Auto analysts tend to fall within this range.
Regardless of car market trends in recent years, some cars have been selling better than others in recent memory. To determine the best selling cars in America over the past decade, 24/7 Wall St., using data provided by iseecars.com, reviewed the vehicles with the highest sales figures in the U.S. from 2012 through 2021. (Want to find the most recent best-selling car? This is the best-selling car of 2022.)
The list, especially the vehicles at the top, shows how Americans have turned away from coupes and sedans to trucks, sport utility vehicles, and crossovers. What remains to be seen is whether full-sized pickups, SUVs, and crossovers can hold their places at the top of America’s vehicle sales should electric vehicles continue their rise to prominence. Although, most car makers have introduced or are introducing electric pickups, SUVs, and crossovers.
Recent legislation in California demonstrates a real shift towards EVs as the state is banning the sale of gas-powered cars starting in 2035. Although this is far off in the future, buyers could move in anticipation, and automakers could build out the infrastructure, creating an enticing value proposition. (This is the electric car with the longest range.)
As it stands now, with every large manufacturer that sells cars in America gearing up a line of EVs, consumer preferences for car type might remain the same — even if the engine might be different. Each of these companies is chasing Tesla for the time being in terms of EVs, but the big names like Ford and GM far outpace Tesla in terms of production and sales in the broad sense.
Here’s a look at the top selling cars over the past decade.
Source: teddyleung / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
40. Honda Odyssey
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,091,568
> Type: Minivan
[in-text-ad]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Toyota Tundra
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,104,593
> Type: Full-size pickup truck
24/7 Wall St.
Source: YuriyVlasenko / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
38. Hyundai Santa Fe
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,107,567
> Type: Midsize SUV
Source: Panama7 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
37. Kia Soul
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,137,516
> Type: Compact SUV
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Chevrolet Traverse
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,181,620
> Type: Midsize SUV
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
35. Mazda CX-
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,193,204
> Type: Midsize SUV
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Volkswagen
34. Volkswagen Jetta
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,199,000
> Type: Compact car
Source: Courtesy of Kia
33. Kia K/Optima
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,229,130
> Type: Midsize car
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. Ford Edge
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,234,001
> Type: Midsize SUV
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: YuriyVlasenko / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
31. Honda Pilot
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,296,144
> Type: Midsize SUV
30. Ford Focus
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,355,603
> Type: Compact car
[in-text-ad]
Source: Angel Di Bilio / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
29. Toyota Prius
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,368,190
> Type: Hybrid car
Source: Courtesy of JEEP
28. Jeep Cherokee
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,450,471
> Type: Compact SUV
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
27. Chevrolet Cruze
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,550,718
> Type: Compact car
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DarthArt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. Hyundai Sonata
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,558,434
> Type: Midsize car
Source: ollo / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
25. Subaru Outback
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,566,419
> Type: Wagon
[in-text-ad]
Source: Zhe Ji / Getty Images News via Getty Images
24. Subaru Forester
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,574,751
> Type: Compact SUV
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Chevrolet
23. Chevrolet Malibu
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,627,142
> Type: Midsize car
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
22. Nissan Sentra
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,675,646
> Type: Compact car
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
21. Toyota Highlander
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,921,178
> Type: Midsize SUV
Source: Tramino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
20. Hyundai Elantra
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,925,610
> Type: Compact car
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of JEEP
19. Jeep Wrangler
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,931,045
> Type: Compact SUV
24/7 Wall St.
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
18. Toyota Tacoma
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,010,994
> Type: Compact pickup truck
Source: Tony Savino / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
17. Ford Fusion
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,081,127
> Type: Midsize car
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. Jeep Grand Cherokee
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,104,183
> Type: Midsize SUV
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
15. GMC Sierra
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,170,986
> Type: Full-size pickup truck
[in-text-ad]
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
14. Ford Explorer
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,230,207
> Type: Midsize SUV
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Nissan Altima
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,515,169
> Type: Midsize car
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Ford Escape
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,622,597
> Type: Compact SUV
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Chevrolet Equinox
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,624,280
> Type: Compact SUV
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. Nissan Rogue
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,800,952
> Type: Compact SUV
[in-text-ad]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Honda Accord
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,071,133
> Type: Midsize car
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Cindy Shebley / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. Toyota Corolla/Corolla iM/Matrix
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,103,215
> Type: Compact car
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
7. Honda Civic
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,236,089
> Type: Compact car
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Toyota RAV
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,446,351
> Type: Compact SUV
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
5. Honda CR-V
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,459,406
> Type: Compact SUV
[in-text-ad]
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
4. Toyota Camry
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,735,590
> Type: Midsize car
Source: Courtesy of RAM Trucks
3. Ram Pickup
> 2012-2021 sales: 4,832,826
> Type: Pickup truck
Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
2. Chevrolet Silverado
> 2012-2021 sales: 5,457,395
> Type: Full-size pickup truck
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Ford F-Series
> 2012-2021 sales: 6,466,342
> Type: Pickup truck
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
