After navigating supply chain disruptions and pandemic-related uncertainties, the automotive industry witnessed a remarkable rebound in 2023. New car sales surged, defying expectations of increasingly expensive vehicles. Almost every automaker reported positive sales growth, with some even achieving double-digit improvements compared to the previous year. This resurgence highlights evolving consumer preferences and the enduring appeal of personal vehicles in America.
Reflecting on this dynamic year, we’ve analyzed annual sales reports from various automakers to pinpoint the most sought-after vehicles on American roads. While the dominance of pickup trucks and SUVs remains undisputed, the 2023 best-sellers list reveals intriguing shifts and enduring favorites. Let’s explore the top contenders that captured the hearts and wallets of American car buyers in 2023.
1. Ford F-Series
750,789 Units
It’s no surprise that the Ford F-Series retains its crown as America’s best-selling vehicle. For decades, the F-Series has dominated both overall vehicle sales and the pickup truck segment, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. While General Motors loyalists might argue that the combined sales of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra surpass the F-Series, it’s essential to recognize that these are distinct models within the GM lineup. The Ford F-Series concluded 2023 with an impressive 14.8 percent sales increase, solidifying its market leadership and demonstrating the enduring popularity of Ford trucks. This continued reign underscores the F-Series’ reputation for reliability and versatility, qualities highly valued by American drivers and professionals alike.
2. Chevrolet Silverado
555,148 Units
The Chevrolet Silverado firmly secured the second-place position in 2023, outpacing its rival Ram after several years of close competition. Surpassing Ram by over 110,000 units, the Silverado demonstrated strong market performance, achieving a 6.1 percent sales increase compared to 2022. This robust growth indicates the Silverado’s strong appeal in the competitive full-size truck segment, attracting buyers with its blend of capability and features. The Silverado’s consistent performance highlights Chevrolet’s enduring presence and customer loyalty within the American truck market.
3. Ram Pickup
444,926 Units
In contrast to its Detroit-based competitors, Ram experienced a slight dip in sales in 2023, with a marginal 1 percent decrease. Despite this minor setback, Ram maintained a strong third-place position in the best-sellers list, showcasing its continued relevance in the pickup truck market. Looking ahead, the introduction of a facelifted model as a 2025 model year could potentially revitalize Ram’s sales figures. However, the upcoming Ram truck will mark a significant shift as the first model in over two decades to lack a Hemi V8 engine option. It remains to be seen how this change will influence consumer reception and sales performance in the coming year, as traditional truck enthusiasts often value V8 power.
4. Toyota RAV4
434,943 Units
Toyota’s RAV4 leads the SUV segment in America, securing its position as the country’s most popular SUV. In 2023, the RAV4 witnessed an impressive 8.4 percent increase in sales compared to the previous year, demonstrating its sustained market appeal. This growth is particularly noteworthy considering the current generation model is approaching the end of its lifecycle. Industry rumors suggest that a new or updated RAV4 model could be unveiled as early as this year, potentially further boosting its sales figures. The RAV4’s consistent popularity underscores its reputation for fuel efficiency, reliability, and practicality, making it a top choice for American families and individuals seeking a versatile and dependable SUV.
5. Tesla Model Y
403,897 Units (est.)
The Tesla Model Y achieved global recognition as the best-selling vehicle worldwide in 2022, and its strong performance continued in the American market in 2023. While Tesla doesn’t release regional sales breakdowns, estimations from Tesla sales trackers at EVadoption.com indicate approximately 403,897 Model Y units sold in the US, representing a substantial 16 percent increase. Although these figures are estimates, the Model Y’s global success lends credibility to their accuracy. The Model Y’s impressive sales performance reflects the growing adoption of electric vehicles in America and Tesla’s dominant position in the EV market. Its blend of performance, technology, and practicality resonates with a growing segment of environmentally conscious and tech-savvy consumers.
6. Honda CR-V
361,457 Units
Honda’s CR-V is another perennial favorite on the American automotive scene, and 2023 proved to be an exceptionally strong year for this popular SUV. The CR-V experienced a remarkable 51.8 percent year-over-year sales jump, a significant surge fueled by the introduction of the sixth-generation model in September 2022 for the 2023 model year. This impressive growth underscores the positive reception of the redesigned CR-V, which likely attracted buyers with its updated styling, enhanced features, and Honda’s renowned reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency. The CR-V’s strong sales figures solidify Honda’s strong presence in the competitive compact SUV segment.
7. GMC Sierra
295,737 Units
The GMC Sierra, the upscale sibling to the Chevrolet Silverado, secured the seventh position overall in 2023, maintaining its status as a significant player in the full-size pickup truck market. While positioned as the lower-selling full-size pickup from Detroit compared to Ford and Chevrolet individually, the Sierra demonstrated a robust 22.4 percent sales increase, surpassing the growth rate of the Silverado. This strong performance indicates the Sierra’s appeal to buyers seeking a more premium and feature-rich pickup truck option within the General Motors family. The Sierra’s success highlights the diverse preferences within the truck market, catering to customers who prioritize luxury and advanced features alongside traditional truck capabilities.
8. Toyota Camry
290,649 Units
The Toyota Camry continues to defy the prevailing SUV trend, maintaining its title as America’s best-selling sedan. Outselling numerous popular SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Equinox, and Ford Explorer, the Camry proves that sedans still hold a significant place in the American automotive landscape. While Camry sales experienced a slight 1.5 percent dip in 2023, this is a relatively minor decline in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs. The upcoming 2025 model year Camry is expected to bring renewed interest and potentially boost sales figures. The Camry’s enduring popularity is a testament to its long-standing reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability, appealing to practical-minded buyers who value a dependable and economical sedan.
9. Nissan Rogue
271,458 Units
Nissan’s Rogue stands out as the brand’s sole representative in the top 20, yet it makes a significant impact. Often considered an unsung hero in the popular SUV segment, the Rogue achieved a remarkable 45.6 percent year-over-year sales increase in 2023. While still not reaching pre-pandemic sales levels, the Rogue’s substantial growth indicates strong buyer demand for this Nissan SUV. This surge in popularity could be attributed to updated styling, enhanced features, and Nissan’s efforts to reposition the Rogue as a competitive offering in the crowded compact SUV market. The Rogue’s performance highlights the potential for brands to regain market share through strategic product updates and marketing efforts.
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee
244,594 Units
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, in its current generation, remains a strong performer, benefiting from the recent introduction of a three-row option. 2023 marked one of the Grand Cherokee’s best sales years in recent memory, with a solid 10 percent increase compared to 2022. This sustained success underscores the Grand Cherokee’s enduring appeal as a versatile and capable SUV, catering to both families and adventure-seekers. The availability of both two-row and three-row configurations expands the Grand Cherokee’s market reach, attracting a broader range of buyers seeking Jeep’s iconic styling and off-road heritage combined with modern features and practicality.
11. Toyota Tacoma
234,768 Units
Beyond the Detroit-based truck brands, the Toyota Tacoma emerges as the best-selling truck in its segment, highlighting Toyota’s dominance in the mid-size truck market. Tacoma sales experienced a slight 1.1 percent decrease in 2023. However, this minor dip is considered negligible, especially considering the highly anticipated new 2024 model Tacoma that debuted earlier in 2023 and arrived at dealerships later in the year. The arrival of the redesigned Tacoma is expected to significantly boost sales in the coming year, capitalizing on the model’s strong reputation for reliability, off-road capability, and resale value. The Tacoma’s consistent performance underscores Toyota’s expertise in building durable and desirable trucks.
12. Toyota Corolla
232,370 Units
Toyota not only leads the sedan segment with the Camry but also dominates the compact car category with the Corolla. Corolla sales increased by 4.6 percent in 2023, despite the current model being several years old and due for a refresh. This growth demonstrates the Corolla’s enduring appeal as a practical, fuel-efficient, and affordable compact car. The Corolla’s consistent popularity highlights Toyota’s ability to maintain market leadership through reliable and value-oriented vehicles that appeal to budget-conscious buyers seeking long-term dependability.
13. Tesla Model 3
213,000 Units (est.)
Similar to the Model Y, Tesla’s Model 3 sales figures are estimates due to the manufacturer’s lack of region-specific breakdowns. Nevertheless, the Model 3 remains a highly popular electric vehicle, with an estimated 213,000 units delivered in 2023. Price reductions throughout the year likely contributed to attracting more buyers to Tesla showrooms. The Model 3’s strong sales performance reinforces Tesla’s significant presence in the EV sedan market, appealing to consumers seeking electric vehicles with sporty styling, advanced technology, and Tesla’s Supercharger network access.
14. Chevrolet Equinox
212,701 Units
Maintaining stable sales with a marginal 0.3 percent year-over-year increase, the Chevrolet Equinox stands as Chevrolet’s best-selling SUV by a considerable margin. Despite being an older model in its current generation, the Equinox continues to attract buyers in the competitive compact SUV segment. A next-generation Equinox model is anticipated to debut soon, with leaked images suggesting styling cues inspired by the electric Equinox EV. This upcoming redesign could revitalize the Equinox’s market appeal and further solidify Chevrolet’s presence in the popular SUV category.
15. Hyundai Tucson
209,624 Units
Hyundai’s Tucson is the sole Korean vehicle to break into the top 20 best-sellers list, marking a significant achievement for the brand. The Tucson experienced a robust 20 percent sales increase in 2023, and sales are projected to potentially climb even higher in the current year. A facelifted Tucson model was introduced at the end of 2023, featuring subtle exterior updates and a more significantly refreshed interior. This updated model is expected to further enhance the Tucson’s competitiveness in the compact SUV market, attracting buyers with its stylish design, value proposition, and Hyundai’s growing brand reputation.
16. Honda Civic
200,381 Units
Honda’s Civic experienced a substantial 49.6 percent sales surge in 2023. While 2022 was admittedly a weaker sales year for the Civic, the near 50% increase demonstrates a strong rebound. Although not yet back to pre-pandemic sales levels, the current generation Civic’s appealing interior design and refined exterior styling appear to resonate positively with car buyers. The Civic’s strong sales performance underscores Honda’s continued success in the compact car segment, attracting buyers with its reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, and a balance of practicality and driving enjoyment.
17. Honda Accord
197,947 Units
Honda’s Accord also witnessed positive sales growth, with a 28 percent increase in 2023. While the 197,947 units sold is still below the Accord’s peak sales figures of the 1990s, when sales often exceeded 400,000 units, it remains a noteworthy performance for a sedan in an SUV-dominated market. The Accord’s ability to maintain a position within the top 20 best-sellers list highlights the enduring appeal of this mid-size sedan, attracting buyers with its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and Honda’s reputation for reliability and quality.
18. Ford Explorer
186,799 Units
The Ford Explorer, while a historically popular SUV, is also experiencing sales figures below its peak of nearly 500,000 units in the early 2000s. In contrast to the widespread year-over-year sales increases across the market, the Explorer experienced a 10 percent sales decline in 2023. A mid-cycle refresh is anticipated later this year, which could potentially help boost sales for 2024. The Explorer’s sales dip may reflect increased competition in the mid-size SUV segment and evolving consumer preferences, highlighting the need for automakers to continuously innovate and refresh their models to maintain market share.
19. Toyota Highlander
169,543 Units
The current generation Toyota Highlander, dating back to 2020, is approaching a typical refresh cycle. This factor may contribute to the significant 23.9 percent sales drop experienced in 2023. However, some buyers may have shifted their purchases to the Grand Highlander, a larger model that debuted earlier in the year, potentially cannibalizing some of the standard Highlander’s sales. The Highlander’s sales decline underscores the competitive nature of the SUV market and the impact of model lifecycles and new product introductions on sales performance.
20. Subaru Outback
161,814 Units
Barely securing a spot in the top 20 is the Subaru Outback, bringing its wagon-like versatility to the mix. The current generation Outback launched in 2020 and continues to stand out among a sea of SUVs, particularly the Wilderness trim, which adds enhanced off-road capabilities to this five-seater. Outback sales increased by 9.9 percent last year, demonstrating its continued appeal to buyers seeking a practical and adventure-oriented alternative to traditional SUVs. The Outback’s unique wagon styling and standard all-wheel drive set it apart in the market, attracting a loyal customer base who value Subaru’s distinctive brand identity and outdoor-focused image.
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FAQs
What Is The Top Selling Car?
The Ford F-150 is the top-selling vehicle in the US, with 750,789 units sold in 2023. Among traditional sedans, the Toyota Camry leads with 290,649 units sold in 2023.
What Are The Three Most Sold Cars Of All Time?
The Toyota Corolla, Ford F-Series, and Volkswagen Golf are the three best-selling cars of all time globally. The Corolla reached 50 million units by 2021, while Ford has sold 43 million F-Series trucks, and VW has sold 35.5 million Golfs.
What Is The Top Selling SUV Of 2023?
The Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in 2023, with Toyota selling 434,943 units.
Best Selling Cars 2023
- Ford F-Series: 750,789 Units
- Chevrolet Silverado: 555,148 Units
- Ram Pickup: 444,926 Units
- Toyota RAV4: 434,943 Units
- Tesla Model Y: 403,897 Units (est.)
- Honda CR-V: 361,457 Units
- GMC Sierra: 295,737 Units
- Toyota Camry: 290,649 Units
- Nissan Rogue: 271,458 Units
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 244,594 Units
- Toyota Tacoma: 234,768 Units
- Toyota Corolla: 232,370 Units
- Tesla Model 3: 213,000 Units (est.)
- Chevrolet Equinox: 212,701 Units
- Hyundai Tucson: 209,624 Units
- Honda Civic: 200,381 Units
- Honda Accord: 197,947 Units
- Ford Explorer: 186,799 Units
- Toyota Highlander: 169,543 Units
- Subaru Outback: 161,814 Units
