In 2021, the auto industry was plagued by all sorts of constraints due to the semiconductor shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic. While the first half of the year showed increased sales compared to 2020, in the second half, car sales decreased by up to 25% according to Statista.
Here is a list of the 20 best-selling car models in 2021. Figures are provided by Motor Intelligence and they represent the sales for the first three quarters.
- 1. Ford F-Series – 534,831
- 2. RAM Pickup -434,772
- 3. Chevrolet Silverado – 407,266
- 4. Toyota RAV4 – 313,447
- 5. Honda CR-V – 290,140
- 6. Toyota Camry – 256,769
- 7. Nissan Rogue – 234,647
- 8. Toyota Corolla – 217,225
- 9. Honda Civic -216,575
- 10. Toyota Highlander – 207,564
- 11. Toyota Tacoma – 200,631
- 12. GMC Sierra – 191,186
- 13. Jeep Grand Cherokee – 189,727
- 14. Jeep Wrangler – 164,709
- 15. Ford Explorer – 160,174
- 16. Honda Accord – 157,988
- 17. Chevrolet Equinox – 151,110
- 18. Mazda CX-5 -137,343
- 19. Subaru Forester – 132,254
- 20. Subaru Outback – 122,978
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<div style="clear:both"><a href="https://mechanicask.com/best-selling-cars-of-2021-in-the-us/"><img src="https://mechanicask.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Best-selling-Cars-of-2021-infographic.png" title="Best-Selling Cars of 2021 in the US" border="0" /></a></div><div>Courtesy of: <a href="https://mechanicask.com/">Mechanic Ask</a></div>1. Ford F-Series – 534,831
Ford F-Series remained the most sought-after car in 2021 too. Ford refreshed their F-Series, adding a hybrid model and a Super Duty model starting from $36,495. Ford claims that the new F-Series has been redesigned to be the toughest F-Series ever produced.
2. RAM Pickup -434,772
Compared to 2020, when the RAM Pickup finished as the third most popular choice amongst Americans, in 2021, the car has become the second most purchased car.
The various awards received, helped RAM beat the Chevy Silverado, which ended in third place.
3. Chevrolet Silverado – 407,266
Unfortunately for Chevrolet, the Silverado model did not do very well this year. In the first three quarters, sales declined by 5% compared to the previous year. Chevrolet aims to increase their sales with the new 2022 refreshed Silverado.
4. Toyota RAV4 – 313,447
The RAV4 retained fourth place from last year, with a small increase in sales of 4%. This is the American’s favorite compact crossover. While Toyota don’t offer a wide range of engines for this particular model, the 2.5 liter coupled with the eight-speed automatic transmission seems to do wonders!
5. Honda CR-V – 290,140
Adding a new hybrid version, Honda increased their CR-V sales by 22% compared to the first three quarters of 2020. The CR-V has been Honda’s best-selling car in the US for a couple of years so far. While not particularly fun to drive, the CR-V will get you from A to B safe and efficient.
6. Toyota Camry – 256,769
Toyota Camry remains the best-selling sedan in 2021 too, with an increase of 25% in sales compared to the first three quarters of 2020.
The recent refinements made Camry a desirable mid-sized sedan amongst Americans again. The car comes with three engines to choose from, from which a strong V6 for drives who are looking for some fun.
7. Nissan Rogue – 234,647
With an increase of 40% in sales, Nissan Rogue jumped from twelfth place to seventh. The complete redesign has been well received by people and the numbers clearly show this.
Better cabin tech and improved driving performance have been strong selling points for the Rogue. With a starting price of $26,050, Nissan Rogue is an attractive option for people looking to purchase a new car.
8. Toyota Corolla – 217,225
Having a strong reputation for reliability, the Corolla sold very well during 2021 too. An increase of 31% granted Toyota Corolla eighth place.
With a starting price of $20,075 and a comfortable ride, Toyota Corolla is a hard decision to pass on.
9. Honda Civic -216,575
With a major redesign that went on sale in the second quarter, Honda Civic did not manage to do very well in sales in 2021. Perhaps the late introduction of the redesigned model did not help either.
As the starting price of $21,900 is higher than the main rival, the Camry, was not the best selling point either.
10. Toyota Highlander – 207,564
Toyota Highlander managed to enter the top ten most sold new cars in the US, thanks to a 47% increase in sales compared to the same period last year.
The gorgeous styling and the ability to purchase it as a hybrid model have proven to be strong selling points of the Highlander.
11. Toyota Tacoma – 200,631
The Tacoma has made a lot of fans through the years! Many purchase this car to go off-road during the weekends but also use it as a practical mid-sized pickup truck.
While the current engine range is not as impressive as some of the rivals, it can definitely offer the driver some fun in the mud and tackle trails.
12. GMC Sierra – 191,186
The GMC Sierra placed as the twelfth most sold car in the US during the first three quarters of 2021. While the car can come equipped with a carbon-fiber cargo bed and a V8 producing 420 BHP, the competition is fierce.
With a starting price of $30,100 and a plasticky interior, there are cheaper alternatives out there.
13. Jeep Grand Cherokee – 189,727
After a 24% increase in sales, Jeep Grand Cherokee sits in the thirteenth place compared to the fifteenth from last year.
The new version has amazing styling and great off-road capabilities! With a starting price of $35,460, the Grand Cherokee comes with plenty of options as standard!
14. Jeep Wrangler – 164,709
While not as practical as the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Wrangler is definitely one of the hottest cars ever produced!
Now it comes with plenty of engine options to choose from, including diesel and hybrid versions too. The number of cars sold in 2021 increased by 10% compared to the same period in the previous year.
15. Ford Explorer – 160,174
While the F-Series from Ford have been very popular amongst Americans for the past couple of years, Ford Explorer did not manage to do very well.
Sales remained flat when compared to the previous year, as people chose the rival Toyota Highlander.
16. Honda Accord – 157,988
While not as popular as it once was, Honda Accord managed to sell 9% better when compared to the same period in 2020.
With a starting price of $25,470, many thought the Camry offers a better value for money.
17. Chevrolet Equinox – 151,110
While its main competitors saw their sales increase, Chevrolet Equinox was one of the few compact SUVs which didn’t sell at least as better as the previous year.
However, Chevrolet has recently launched an improved version of the Equinox, aiming to fix their sales.
18. Mazda CX-5 -137,343
As a result of a 32% increase in sales, this Mazda compact SUV managed to make it to the top twenty best-selling cars of 2021.
While it might not be as spacious as its competitors, it definitely boasts an elegant design and a nice luxurious interior at a cheaper price than alternatives.
19. Subaru Forester – 132,254
Although the Forester is the brand’s best-selling model, they have only managed to sell in the US just above 130k units during the first three quarters of 2021.
When looking at the same period in 2020, in 2021 the sales drop by 1%.
20. Subaru Outback – 122,978
Subaru Outback is the only station wagon that made it to this list! While other Subaru models are not doing great in their segments, the Outback has definitely figured out the station wagon market.
It sold 16% more compared to the same period last year and the company announced a new off-road model of the car.
My name is Jeffrey Williams and I have been a car mechanic for over 35 years. I am currently working NYC Auto Repair Shop, in New York City and recently developed a strong passion about blogging. I decided to put together this blog where I will try and answer the most commonly asked questions I get on a daily basis from my customers.
