Every year, Car and Driver releases a list of the best-selling vehicles. While dealerships have only entered the second sales quarter of the year, Car and Driver has already provided a round-up of the cars, trucks, and SUVs that are popular sellers.
Are the most popular vehicles from 2021 holding onto their strong sales figures or have new models bumped out last year’s favorite vehicles? For consumers looking for a new car, these are the 10 most popular vehicles of 2022.
- Ford F-Series
- Dodge Ram Pickup
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Toyota RAV4
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Camry
- Honda CR-V
- GMC Sierra
- Chevrolet Equinox
The Most Popular Vehicles are Pickup Trucks
In 2021, the most popular vehicles were the Ford F-Series, the Dodge Ram Pickup and the Chevrolet Silverado. All three models continue their sales dominance.
More than 140,000 Ford F-Series trucks have already been sold, and the year isn’t even half over. Last year, Ford sold more than 726,000 F-Series trucks. This year, Ford also has added a new F-Series model—the electric F-150 Lightning. Interest in the electric truck has been so overwhelming that Ford has halted orders.
SUVs also Dominate the Top 10
Car buyers might notice something interesting about the top 10 most popular models. Nine out of 10 models on the list are either a pickup truck or an SUV.
Both the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V are small SUV models that have remained popular choices for consumers. While the RAV4 has held onto its position as the fourth best-selling vehicle, the Honda CR-V has actually slid a bit in popularity compared to 2021—it ranked as the fifth best-selling vehicle.
However, the Toyota Highlander and the Jeep Grand Cherokee have received a bump in sales so far. The Highlander took the ninth spot in 2021 and now it’s the sixth most popular vehicle. In 2021, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the eighth most popular (or best-selling) vehicle, and now it’s the fifth most popular (the spot once held by the CR-V).
The GMC Sierra—another pickup truck—also has become a popular choice for buyers this year. GMC has sold more than 56,000 Sierra trucks this year. In 2021, a total of 248,924 GMC Sierra models were sold (it ranked in the 13th spot).
The Toyota Camry: One Popular Sedan
The Toyota Camry stands alone among the list of popular vehicles for 2022; the Camry is the only sedan among the top 10 best-selling vehicles. In 2021, the Camry was the sixth most popular vehicle. Right now the Camry ranks as the 7th best-selling vehicle.
What makes the Camry such an in-demand vehicle? The Camry checks all the must-have boxes for many consumers: it’s budget-friendly, fuel-efficient and safe.
The Camry has a starting MSRP of $25,845, and while it isn’t the least expensive sedan on the market, it’s still at an accessible price point. Another selling point? The Camry is great for commuters or those who want to maximize their gas mileage; the sedan gets 28 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway.
The Camry also is available in a hybrid model, although the price jumps to $27,980. The hybrid offers great fuel efficiency and gets 51 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway.
In addition, the 2022 Toyota Camry received a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is the highest safety rating awarded.
About the Top Five Most Popular Vehicles
The five most popular vehicles in the U.S. have remained consistent from 2021 rankings, with the exception of the fifth spot—the Jeep Grand Cherokee overtook the Honda CR-V. Like the Camry, these vehicles are popular with consumers for a reason. For the top three, though, popularity might not correlate to price, safety ratings or fuel efficiency.
Ford F-Series
The Ford F-Series includes multiple truck models, including the F-150, F-250, F-350 XLT, F-450 XLT, etc. The F-Series ranges in price, but the starting MSRP for the half-ton F-150 is $30,495. The F-250 XLT, F-350 XLT and the F-450 XLT are so popular they can no longer be ordered; Ford also notes on its website that dealership inventory also might be limited.
Trucks are not known for their amazing fuel efficiency; the F-150 can get about 25 MPG combined. However, towing and extra weight in the bed could impact the gas mileage.
What makes the F-Series so popular? Some buyers might focus on the F-Series’ towing capacity. Hotcars also explains that the F-150 also features a payload of 3,325 pounds. Essentially, the specs of the F-150 can’t be beat (or maybe even matched) by its competitors.
The F-150 also has been the best-selling vehicle in the country for about four decades.
Dodge Ram Pickup
The Dodge Ram Pickup is offered in multiple models, including the Ram 1500, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500. The Ram 1500 has a starting MSRP of $35,900, making its base price more than $5,000 more than the F-150.
However, the Ram does get fairly decent fuel efficiency for a pickup. The 1500 can get 23 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. Again, though, extra weight might affect these figures.
Chevrolet Silverado
Sometimes Chevrolet’s Silverado is right behind the F-Series, but, recently, it’s been usurped by the Ram. The Silverado also is offered in 1500, 2500 and 3500 models (plus a few more offerings). The starting MSRP for the 1500 is $33,800—a mid-range price that puts it between the F-150 and the Ram 1500.
The Silverado 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds. It offers similar fuel efficiency as the Ram—23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling small SUV on the market. Like the Camry, the RAV4 offers an affordable price point, a great safety rating and decent fuel efficiency.
The RAV4 has a starting MSRP of $26,525. It can get up to 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating/award (when equipped with certain headlights) from the IIHS.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
There are many buyers who are Jeep loyalists. While the Honda CR-V earned its place as the fifth most popular vehicle of 2021, the Grand Cherokee seems to be passing the CR-V in sales numbers.
The 2022 Grand Cherokee has a starting MSRP of $35,735. The Grand Cherokee offers a third row of seating and has space for up to seven passengers. It is—as of current sales figures—the best-selling third-row SUV.
Buyers considering a Grand Cherokee might want to focus on highway mileage. The Grand Cherokee gets 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.
What is the Least Popular Car for 2022?
The most popular cars could point to buying trends, but some models—like the F-150—have been best-sellers for years. What cars aren’t so popular, though? Are there any cars that are simply being shunned by buyers?
The site Brake for It listed cars to avoid in 2022. The list included the following models:
- Ford Ecosport
- Kia Telluride
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Toyota Mirai
- Hyundai Nexo
Why to Avoid the Ecosport?
Brake for It reports that the Ecosport is being discontinued; the 2022 model will be its last. The site details that the small SUV doesn’t offer great gas mileage, its infotainment system isn’t modern, and it doesn’t offer great safety features.
Why is the Telluride to Be Avoided?
Nothing is wrong with the Telluride. In fact, it’s a popular vehicle. So popular, in fact, that Brake for It reports that it’s selling quite high. The higher prices are why buyers might avoid purchasing a Telluride.
The Mitsubishi Mirage has Great Gas Mileage
The Mitsubishi Mirage made the list because, apparently, its great fuel efficiency is its only standout feature. The Mirage has a three-cylinder engine, and, per Brake for It, doesn’t have a quality interior. The site also noted that the Mirage didn’t have great reliability ratings.
Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo Share One Bad Feature
The Mirai and the Nexo both made the list for the same reason: they are hydrogen vehicles. Unfortunately, there aren’t many hydrogen stations available across the country. While electric stations are limited in some areas, hydrogen stations are almost non-existent beyond certain regions.
Brake for It included many other models on its ‘avoid’ list. Even the Silverado made the list. Buyers who are researching cars they want to purchase might check out the cons listed for the vehicles highlighted by the site.
The Year isn’t Over!
While Car and Driver ranked the best-selling models of 2022, the year isn’t even half over. There are still nearly seven months left for car buyers to purchase their dream vehicle.
It’s doubtful that any model will outsell the F-Series; if it hasn’t happened in about four decades, 2022 probably isn’t going to be the outlier year. Will the CR-V end up in the top five again? Will the Silverado overtake the Ram? Could there be a vehicle shortage that affects 2022 sales? Consumers will have to wait until the year’s end to find out what cars were the most popular in 2022 and which models sank in sales.