The year 2020 was a weird year for new-car sales, but 2021 could turn out to be even weirder. Many factors are in play, including inventory constraints due to a semiconductor shortage and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, buyers flocked to dealerships in the first half of the year, with strong results across the board compared with this time last year
Many of the best-selling models saw sales increases, and we’ve tallied up the top 10 cars, trucks, and SUVs in order of their sales numbers.
- Toyota Highlander (144,380 units sold)
The Highlander three-row SUV continues its ascent through the sales ranks in 2021 with a strong first half. Sales were up 83 percent over this time last year.
- Honda Civic (152,956 units sold)
The Civic was languishing in the first quarter of the year, but sales have risen since the redesigned 2022 Civic went on sale. Numbers were up 20 percent over this time last year.
- Toyota Corolla (155,531 units sold)
Toyota’s compact sedan and hatchback continue to cash in on their strong reputation for reliability. Sales were up 42 percent, just ahead of its rival the Honda Civic.
- Toyota Camry (177,671 units sold)
If there’s one thing that’s certain in the auto sales hierarchy, it’s the Camry’s place on top of the passenger-car ranks. The mid-size sedan experienced a 41 percent increase over this time last year, enough to beat out all of the entries on this list that are neither trucks nor SUVs.
- Nissan Rogue (182,289 units sold)
The redesigned 2021 Rogue is far better than its predecessor, and the numbers are reflecting a similar improvement so far this year. Sales were up 70 percent during the first half.
- Honda CR-V (213,199 units sold)
The CR-V is Honda’s bread and butter, and its sales are up 54 percent over this time last year. A hybrid model joined the lineup recently.
- Toyota RAV4 (221,195 units sold)
Ever since it achieved the title of best-selling non-truck in the country, the RAV4 has been extending its lead over its compact-crossover rivals. Sales were up 21 percent in the first quarter.
- Chevrolet Silverado (286,410 units sold)
Results for the Silverado were a mixed bag in the first half of 2021. It was outsold by the Ram truck lineup, and sales of the light-duty model were up by only 3 percent, but the HD version gained ground compared with last year.
- Ram Pickup (313,068 units sold)
Ram’s truck lineup continues its ascent with a strong first half that saw sales rise 27 percent. That was enough to beat the Silverado, which typically occupies the second-place sales ranking.
- Ford F-Series (362,032 units sold)
Ford’s ever-popular pickup truck lineup entered 2021 with a refreshed F-150 lineup that now includes a hybrid and an updated Super Duty model as well. Ford, and the F-150 in particular, has been hit hard by the global microchip shortage, and sales fell 1.5 percent through the first half.