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25 Best Selling Vehicles in America: Sedans, SUVs, Pickups And More

Hanna Kielar8-minute read
UPDATED: December 12, 2022

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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

Black Honda Pilot front exterior view.

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

Red Toyota 4Runner exterior view.

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

Gray Ford Escape rear view exterior.

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 SUVsthe 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

Red Hyundai Tucson front exterior view.

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

Blue Subaru Outback rear exterior view.

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

Dark blue Subaru Forester front exterior view.

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

Black Chevrolet Equinox front exterior view.

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

Dark blue Mazda CX-5 front exterior view.

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

Bright red Tesla Model Y front exterior view.

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

Dark desaturated blue Honda Accord front exterior view.

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

Bright green Jeep Wrangler front exterior view.

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

Dark, warm brown Ford Explorer front exterior view.

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

Bright red GMC Sierra truck front exterior view.

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

Black Toyota Corolla front exterior view.

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 

Blue Toyota Tacoma truck side exterior view.

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

Bright saturated red Honda Civic front exterior view.

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

Black Toyota Highlander front exterior view.

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

Dark gray Jeep Grand Cherokee front exterior view.

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

Black Nissan Rogue front exterior view.

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

Dark saturated blue-green Toyota Camry front exterior view.

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

Bright saturated blue Honda CR-V SUV front exterior view.

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

Deep red Toyota RAV4 rear exterior view.

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

Bright yellow Chevrolet Silverado truck front exterior view.

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

Black Dodge Ram Pickup truck front exterior view.

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

Black Ford F-150 front exterior view.

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.

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.