25 Best Selling Vehicles in America: Sedans, SUVs, Pickups And More
Hanna Kielar8-minute read
UPDATED: December 12, 2022
The United States is a car-loving nation. It's one of the top three exporters, manufacturers and buyers of motor vehicles in the world. As such, a list of the top 25 best-selling vehicles in America from 2021 can give you a good idea of what you may want to buy for yourself.
Keep reading to discover the top-selling cars from 2021, along with detailed information about what makes each one unique and attractive to buyers. Units sold data is sourced from Car and Driver.
25. Honda Pilot
Best for: Big families
Type of car: Extra large SUV
Units sold: 143,062
MPG: 19 mpg city | 26 mpg highway
Coming in at 25 on the list of America's best-selling vehicles is the Honda Pilot, which has a V6 engine and can seat up to eight people. The ride is smooth, complete with plenty of storage space and boasts relatively decent fuel economy for such a hefty SUV.
24. Toyota 4Runner
Best for: Off-roading
Type of car: Midsize SUV
Units sold: 144,696
MPG: 16 mpg city | 19 mpg highway
The Toyota 4Runner is made to be put to work, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. It’s terrain-defying suspension can take you and your trailer off-road. It also boasts plenty of cargo space and passenger seating.
23. Ford Escape
Best for: New drivers
Type of car: Small SUV
Units sold: 145,415
MPG: 26 mpg city | 31 mpg highway
Ranked #5 among best crossover SUVs, the Ford Escape is a roomy option available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Its extensive suite of safety features makes it a great car for new drivers who may rely more heavily on a Blind Spot Information System and automatic emergency braking.
Sliding second-row seats let drivers choose between legroom and cargo space.
22. Hyundai Tucson
Best for: Safety-conscious drivers
Type of car: Small SUV
Units sold: 150,949
MPG: 21 mpg city | 26 mpg highway
With exceptional safety scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Tuscon is an award-winning SUV that delivers good value for the money. The compact SUV also has a wonderfully quiet cabin and comfortable interior.
21. Subaru Outback
Best for: Off-roading
Type of car: Midsize SUV/station wagon
Units sold: 154,623
MPG: 26 mpg city | 33 mpg highway
Part midsize SUV, part station wagon, the Subaru Outback functions as both a daily driver and an adventure vehicle. In fact, it claimed Rocket Auto’s best all-wheel-drive (AWD) car from 2021. It's one of America's best-selling vehicles because of its powerful off-roading abilities, extensive cargo room and an optional turbocharged engine.
20. Subaru Forester
Best for: Resale Value
Type of car: Compact SUV
Units sold: 154,723
MPG: 26 mpg city | 33 mpg highway
Both practical and aesthetically appealing, the Subaru Forester is number 20 on our list. It has great handling and a four-cylinder engine that puts out 182 horsepower. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard with all models.
19. Chevrolet Equinox
Best for: Budget-friendly
Type of car: Small SUV
Units sold: 165,323
MPG: 25 mpg city | 30 mpg highway
The Chevrolet Equinox is an affordable choice for those looking into their first SUV. It's got above-average fuel efficiency, an awesome infotainment system and a good amount of space for passengers.
18. Mazda CX-5
Best for: Stylish drivers
Type of car: SUV
Units sold: 168,383
MPG: 22 mpg city | 27 mpg highway
If you're looking for a sporty, sharp-handling SUV with an impressive power to efficiency ratio, the Mazda CX-5 is a great shout. One of America's best-selling vehicles, it's affordable, eco-friendly and safe.
17. Tesla Model Y
Best for: Speed
Type of car: Electric SUV
Units sold: 172,700
MPGe: 131 mpge city | 117 mpge highway
The Tesla Model Y is the best-selling car with an electric engine in America. It has impressive acceleration and top speeds of 155 mph, with unlimited miles per gallon (it’s all electric), and exceptional safety scores.
16. Honda Accord
Best for: Small families
Type of car: Midsize sedan
Units sold: 202,676
MPG: 29 mpg city | 35 mpg highway
Rated as our #1 best used sedan, the Accord has a roomy interior and excellent standard safety features. It makes 16th on America's best-selling vehicles due to the fact it provides a practical, yet sporty, exciting ride and offers conservative fuel consumption.
15. Jeep Wrangler
Best for: Off-roaders
Type of car: SUV
Units sold: 204,610
MPG: 17 mpg city | 25 mpg highway
With awe-inspiring off-road capabilities, superb fuel economy and an ever-appealing retro aesthetic, the Jeep Wrangler is still one of America's best-selling vehicles. The top and doors come off for those who want to feel the wind in their hair.
14. Ford Explorer
Best for: Big Families
Type of car: Midsize SUV
Units sold: 219,871
MPG: 23 mpg city | 26 mpg highway
The Ford Explorer won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's coveted Top Safety pick in 2021. It’s cargo capacity, impressive tech and powerful engine also make it a capable off-road vehicle when equipped with AWD.
13. GMC Sierra
Best for: Work
Type of car: Full-size truck
Units sold: 248,924
MPG: 14 mpg city | 19 mpg highway
This premium truck makes America's best-selling vehicles list for many reasons. It has a workhorse V8 engine, amazing trailering tech and a range of standard safety features even on the base model.
12. Toyota Corolla
Best for: Affordability
Type of car: Compact sedan and hatchback
Units sold: 248,993
MPG: 30 mpg city | 38 mpg highway
Taking 12th place on America's best-selling vehicles of 2021 is the Toyota Corolla. It makes the list of best cars for its stellar reputation for reliability, a smooth driving experience and budget-friendliness.
11. Toyota Tacoma
Best for: Off-roading
Type of car: Midsize truck
Units sold: 252,520
MPG: 18 mpg city | 22 mpg highway
Another truck makes it into the ranks of America's best-selling vehicles: the midsize Toyota Tacoma. With an extensive list of standard features, 6,800-pound towing capacity and outstanding off-road ability in the TRD package, Tacoma is by far the best seller in the midsize truck class.
10. Honda Civic
Best for: New drivers
Type of car: Small sedan or hatchback
Units sold: 263,787
MPG: 32 mpg city | 42 mpg highway
There's no denying that the Honda Civic is one of the most common cars on the road. This is due to its wallet-friendly fuel consumption, turbocharged engine and advanced tech and safety features.
9. Toyota Highlander
Best for: Large families
Type of car: Three-row SUV
Units sold: 264,128
MPG: 20 mpg city | 27 mpg highway
The Toyota Highlander is a mainstay as one of America's best-selling vehicles due to its family-friendly size and safety acumen. It has ample cargo room, a comfortable interior with three rows and seating for up to 8 passengers, and good fuel economy for an SUV of this size.
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Best for: Families who enjoy travel
Type of car: Midsize SUV
Units sold: 264,444
MPG: 14 mpg city | 22 mpg highway
Making eighth place on America's best-selling vehicles of 2021, the Jeep Grand Cherokee's reputation speaks for itself. There's an extensive range of trim levels, with the V8 versions delivering imposing power, torque and towing capacity. Also a superb off-road SUV.
7. Nissan Rogue
Best for: Safe drivers
Type of car: Compact SUV
Units sold: 285,602
MPG: 25 mpg city | 32 mpg highway
With sales up 25% compared to last year, there are numerous reasons why the Nissan Rogue made seventh on the list of America's best-selling vehicles. It's got great safety tech, smooth handling and a charming exterior.
6. Toyota Camry
Best for: Affordable luxury
Type of car: Sedan
Units sold: 313,795
MPG: 22 mpg city | 31 mpg highway
As the best-selling sedan in the U.S., there are a ton of reasons to purchase a Toyota Camry. Not only has this car competed in NASCAR, it's fun to drive and has a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Camry has been one of the most reliable cars of any kind for many years.
5. Honda CR-V
Best for: Families
Type of car: Compact SUV
Units sold: 361,271
MPG: 27 mpg city | 32 mpg highway
With cutting-edge safety features, decent resale value and roomy cargo space, it's no surprise the Honda CR-V is high on the list of best-selling vehicles in America. It has nifty acceleration and earned the title of IIHS Top Safety Pick in 2021.
4. Toyota RAV4
Best for: New drivers
Type of car: Small SUV
Units sold: 407,739
MPG: 27 mpg city | 35 mpg highway
Not only is the Toyota RAV4 the best small SUV on the list of 2021's top sellers, it's the highest ranking non-truck. It's safe, reliable and spacious, with attractive styling and handling that feels more like a sedan than an SUV.
3. Chevrolet Silverado
Best for: Work
Type of car: Full-size pickup truck
Units sold: 519,774
MPG: 22 mpg city | 26 mpg highway
Despite falling sales, the Chevrolet Silverado still makes third place in the 2021 list of America's best-selling vehicles. Truck drivers still love its 6.2-liter V8 powertrain, responsive brakes and handling, and trailer-assist tech.
2. Dodge Ram Pickup
Best for: Towing
Type of car: Full-size pickup truck
Units sold: 569,388
MPG: 17 mpg city | 22 mpg highway
With a maximum towing capacity of 11,290 pounds and V6 305-hp engine, the Ram is a powerful, wildly popular vehicle that just misses the top spot in America's best-selling vehicles of 2021 list. It has a quiet, spacious cabin and demonstrates powerful performance and off-roading prowess.
The Best-Selling Vehicle in North America
1. Ford F-150
Best for: Payload and towing
Type of car: Full-size pickup truck
Units sold: 726,004
MPG: 19 mpg city | 22 mpg highway
Ford's F-Series has been the top-selling vehicle in the United States since 1981. Once more, the ever-popular pickup truck is the best-selling vehicle in America in 2021. It overcame competition from the Chevrolet Silverado, Ram Pickup and GMC Sierra. F-150 enthusiasts cite the 13,000-pound towing capacity and 3,325-pound payload capacity as two principal reasons its popularity continues to ride high.
The Bottom Line: Go With A Best Seller
If you're not sure about which automobile to purchase, start by checking out the best-selling vehicles in North America. These cars sell in droves for good reason: they're reliable, affordable and boast enduring appeal to drivers. Browse Rocket Auto’s inventory to find your favorite best-seller.
Skip The Negotiations
Hanna Kielar
Hanna Kielar is a Section Editor for Rocket Auto℠, RocketHQ℠, and Rocket Loans® with a focus on personal finance, automotive, and personal loans. She has a B.A. in Professional Writing from Michigan State University.
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