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.
40. Honda Odyssey
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,091,568
> Type: Minivan
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39. Toyota Tundra
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,104,593
> Type: Full-size pickup truck
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38. Hyundai Santa Fe
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,107,567
> Type: Midsize SUV
37. Kia Soul
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,137,516
> Type: Compact SUV
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36. Chevrolet Traverse
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,181,620
> Type: Midsize SUV
35. Mazda CX-
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,193,204
> Type: Midsize SUV
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34. Volkswagen Jetta
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,199,000
> Type: Compact car
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33. Kia K/Optima
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,229,130
> Type: Midsize car
32. Ford Edge
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,234,001
> Type: Midsize SUV
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31. Honda Pilot
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,296,144
> Type: Midsize SUV
30. Ford Focus
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,355,603
> Type: Compact car
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29. Toyota Prius
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,368,190
> Type: Hybrid car
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28. Jeep Cherokee
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,450,471
> Type: Compact SUV
27. Chevrolet Cruze
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,550,718
> Type: Compact car
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26. Hyundai Sonata
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,558,434
> Type: Midsize car
25. Subaru Outback
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,566,419
> Type: Wagon
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24. Subaru Forester
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,574,751
> Type: Compact SUV
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23. Chevrolet Malibu
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,627,142
> Type: Midsize car
22. Nissan Sentra
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,675,646
> Type: Compact car
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21. Toyota Highlander
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,921,178
> Type: Midsize SUV
20. Hyundai Elantra
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,925,610
> Type: Compact car
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19. Jeep Wrangler
> 2012-2021 sales: 1,931,045
> Type: Compact SUV
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18. Toyota Tacoma
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,010,994
> Type: Compact pickup truck
17. Ford Fusion
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,081,127
> Type: Midsize car
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16. Jeep Grand Cherokee
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,104,183
> Type: Midsize SUV
15. GMC Sierra
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,170,986
> Type: Full-size pickup truck
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14. Ford Explorer
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,230,207
> Type: Midsize SUV
13. Nissan Altima
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,515,169
> Type: Midsize car
12. Ford Escape
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,622,597
> Type: Compact SUV
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11. Chevrolet Equinox
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,624,280
> Type: Compact SUV
10. Nissan Rogue
> 2012-2021 sales: 2,800,952
> Type: Compact SUV
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9. Honda Accord
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,071,133
> Type: Midsize car
8. Toyota Corolla/Corolla iM/Matrix
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,103,215
> Type: Compact car
7. Honda Civic
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,236,089
> Type: Compact car
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6. Toyota RAV
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,446,351
> Type: Compact SUV
5. Honda CR-V
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,459,406
> Type: Compact SUV
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4. Toyota Camry
> 2012-2021 sales: 3,735,590
> Type: Midsize car
3. Ram Pickup
> 2012-2021 sales: 4,832,826
> Type: Pickup truck
2. Chevrolet Silverado
> 2012-2021 sales: 5,457,395
> Type: Full-size pickup truck
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1. Ford F-Series
> 2012-2021 sales: 6,466,342
> Type: Pickup truck
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