The last few years haven’t been easy for automakers. A global pandemic, supply chain issues, and political turmoil combined to wreak havoc on numerous industries. New car sales suffered as a result, but that appears to be changing for the better in 2024. In some cases, much better.
With the first three-quarters of automaker sales figures tabulated, we’re getting a preview of how the last few months of 2024 might shake out for the US auto industry. On this list, there are familiar faces like Chevrolet and Ford, but you’ll also find some big surprises at both ends of the scale.
Keep that in mind as you scroll through our list of the best-selling cars of 2024 (so far).
The Subaru Outback sneaks into the top 20 with 126,33 units sold through July. That number represents a slight 2.8% increase year-over-year, but sales are actually down by 3.8% compared to last month. The Outback received a minor refresh in 2023 that added more standard safety features.
Toyota
126,805 Units
The Tacoma wasn’t in the top 20 in sales earlier this year amidst a changeover to the newest model. But now that the next-gen truck is finally on the market, the Tacoma finds its way back in the top 20 with 126,805 units moved so far in 2024. The Taco is technically down 29% from last year, but once more people get their hands on the new model, that number should go up.
130,098 Units
The new Subaru Forester hit dealerships a few months ago, which has helped Subaru’s already impressive sales figures. Forester is up 22.3% year-over-year, but like the Outback, it’s down 13.9% compared to last month. Still, the Forster is one of Subaru’s best-selling models, and while some have criticized the SUV’s awkward proportions and prolific trim on the wheel arches, the tried-and-tested 2.5-liter flat-four still gets the job done.
131,847 Units
Subaru Crosstrek sales are up 15 percent on the year, putting the pint-size SUV over its sibling the Forester and Outback. The Crosstrek got a recent makeover for the 2024 model year that includes a new 182-horsepower engine and an even more rugged Wilderness model for the first time.
143,523 Units
Even in the middle of a model changeover, the Equinox was still selling exceptionally well early in the year. It was 13th in sales back in July. But with the new models finally rolling onto dealer lots in earnest, the Equinox is down slightly to the 16th spot. But Chevy has still sold an impressive 143,523 Equinox models so far in 2024.
145,947 Units
The Hyundai Tucson moves up one spot to 15th place with 145,947 units sold so far in 2024. The updated 2025 model is just now making its way to dealerships. Sales were actually down slightly compared to last year (-5%), but the Tucson does see a slight 2% increase in sales from the previous month.
The Ford Explorer stays put at the 14th spot with 146,799 units sold so far in 2024. The mid-size SUV is up 24% from the same time last year and is up 6.3% year-to-date. The new 2025 model is just making its way to dealerships, which could help the Explorer to a record-breaking 2024.
The Chevrolet Trax started off slow in 2024, but it’s already cracked the top 15 in sales. Chevy has moved nearly 150,000 examples of its subcompact crossover so far in 2024. The small SUV got a big makeover in 2022 and a new starting price of $21,495.
Earlier this year, Jeep announced pricing for the 2024 Grand Cherokee that, in some trims, was $4,595 less than last year. The reduction hasn’t boosted sales much though, as the Grand Cherokee sees a slight dip compared to last year. 2024 doesn’t see anything new in the lineup; buyers can still choose between two-row or three-row models. The 3.6-liter V-6 is underhood for two-row versions, but Jeep recently killed the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 on higher-spec three-row models.
Toyota may have the best-selling SUV and sedan in America, but the Corolla is currently number two for compacts behind the Honda Civic. Toyota shouldn’t feel bad though—Corolla is wildly popular with more than 177,000 units moved this year, which isn’t bad for a model dating back to 2019. Special appearance packages have kept the small car feeling fresh, not to mention the GR Corolla with its rally-flavored 300-horsepower powertrain—and now with a new automatic.
Buyers are flocking to the forever-young Honda Civic. Sales are way up compared to last year, suggesting Honda made the right decision by dialing down the exterior design for the current generation. There’s a little something for everyone here, be it a $24,000 sedan, a $25,000 hatchback, or the record-setting Civic Type R with its turbocharged 315-horsepower engine.
Some might say the Rogue is an unassuming, perfectly average SUV. But its sales stats are anything but. It’s consistently ranked among the best-selling vehicles for several years, and now it’s just within the top 10. But, it did drop from sixth on our list earlier in the year to ninth, meaning fewer people are taking home the Rogue as the year goes on. It received a minor facelift for 2024; Will that be enough for Nissan to remain in the top 10?
227,576 Units
Sedans aren’t dead yet, and the Camry remains the best-selling four-door available. Sales for last year’s eighth-best-selling vehicle are up 4.4 percent through September. It’ll likely finish the year in eighth place once again even though it’s an older model in the market. The Rogue and Civic trail, and Toyota hopes to ride the hybrid wave sweeping the market going into next year with the 2025 model, which is available only with a hybrid powertrain.
229,011 Units
Similar to its Chevrolet Silverado sibling, Sierra sales are up slightly. The big news this year is the Sierra EV finally joining the mix, reaching customers this summer in range-topping Denali Edition 1 trim. There’s also the Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition, which debuted last year as a hardcore off-roader in the heavy-duty segment. Prices range from approximately $38,000 for a base-model 1500 to just under $100,000 for either the electric Denali or a diesel-powered HD Denali Ultimate.
Ram pickup sales are suffering this year. They are down 19 percent for 2024 so far, and are down the same amount for the third quarter. The automaker only sold 88,140 pickups from July to September, and 268,666 through the first nine months. The model has tumbled down the list to sixth place, which is down three spots from where it ended last year, but the automaker is launching a new generation of the 1500 with all-new powertrains that is rolling out to dealers.
Honda CR-V sales trail that of its Toyota RAV4 rival even though it’s newer, but they are still up for the year—13.7 percent. The automaker has sold nearly 300,000 examples of the crossover even though sales are down 14.8 percent for the third quarter. The sixth-generation CR-V is still very new with a fresh design, updated cabin, and the latest tech. It went on sale for 2023 and consumers seem to love it.
4. Tesla Model Y
Last year, the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling vehicle in the world. So far through 2024, sales are still strong. Tesla delivered 422,405 examples of the Model 3 and Model Y combined so far this year, and estimates from Automotive News suggest the Model Y is the best seller of the duo with around 312,000 units moved so far. The $44,990 base model features a single-motor powertrain with a 260-mile range, while the range-topping Model Y Performance adds a second motor and a lot more power for $53,490.
The Toyota RAV4 is well on track to be this year’s third best-selling vehicle, up one spot from the end of 2023. Sales haven’t exploded, but they are up a healthy 15.7 percent despite the fifth-generation model turning five years old this year. The RAV4 rolled into 2024 with a slightly higher starting price and few other changes as the model nears the end of lifespan.
While Ram has fallen and Ford remains in the lead, Chevrolet Silverado sales remain steady going in the last three months of the year. Sales are down about one percent through the first nine months, with heavy-duty pickups suffering the worst. However, there’s nothing stopping Chevy from keeping the number-two spot behind the F-Series.
The Ford F-Series is well on its way to being America’s best-selling vehicle for the 48th consecutive year. Now in its 14th generation, the F-Series still leads after receiving its mid-cycle refresh for 2024 that updated the exterior styling, added a new multifunction Pro Access Tailgate, and installed 12.0-inch infotainment displays and digital instrument clusters as standard across the range. While the F-Series still leads the Silverado by a wide margin, sales for the popular pickup are down 3.9 percent compared to the first nine months of 2023. However, sales are up for the quarter 4.2 percent.
Update: This story has been updated with the latest sales information from Q3, 2024.
- Ford F-Series – 528,028 Units
- Chevrolet Silverado – 399,604 Units
- Toyota RAV4 – 350,331 Units
- Tesla Model Y – 312,000 Units (est.)
- Honda CR-V – 298,164 Units
- Ram Pickup – 268,666 Units
- GMC Sierra – 229,011 Units
- Toyota Camry – 227,576 Units
- Nissan Rogue – 189,156 Units
- Honda Civic – 188,422 Units
- Toyota Corolla – 177,092 Units
- Jeep Grand Cherokee – 160,939 Units
- Chevrolet Trax – 149,762 Units
- Ford Explorer – 146,799 Units
- Hyundai Tucson – 145,947 Units
- Chevrolet Equinox – 143,523 Units
- Subaru Crosstrek – 131,847 Units
- Subaru Forester – 130,098 Units
- Toyota Tacoma – 126,805 Units
- Subaru Outback – 126,333 Units
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