Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in the US in 2023: Domestic Vehicles Dominating Japanese Cars

In 2023, American consumers purchased a total of 15.6 million cars, an increase of 12.3% compared to 2022. However, this number is still lower than the 17 million cars sold in 2019 – the time before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

Over the past 12 months, American customers have continued their loyalty to pickup trucks. The list of the top 10 best-selling cars in the US in 2023 clearly shows that.

1. Ford F-Series: 750,789 vehicles

For decades, the Ford F-Series has consistently been the best-selling car in the US market. 2023 is no exception. In 2023, Ford sold 750,789 full-size pickup trucks to American customers, a growth of 14.8% compared to 2022.

However, the success of the F-Series still could not help Ford surpass its two rivals, General Motors (GM) and Toyota. In 2023, Ford ranked 3rd in terms of sales in the US market with a result of 1,995,912 vehicles sold, a growth of 7.1%. GM sold 2,577,662 vehicles (a growth of 14.1%) and Toyota sold 2,248,477 vehicles (a growth of 6.6%).

2. Chevrolet Silverado: 543,780 vehicles

The second position in the US market continues to belong to another full-size pickup truck, the Chevrolet Silverado. This has been the position of the Chevrolet Silverado for many years. In 2023, Americans bought a total of 573,780 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles, an increase of 5.9%. Compared to its fellow countryman, the Ford F-Series, the Chevrolet Silverado has significantly lower sales.

3. Ram Trucks: 444,926 vehicles

It’s no surprise that the 3rd position in the top 10 best-selling cars in the US in 2023 belongs to Ram Trucks. Similarly, to the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado, this full-size pickup truck frequently ranks in the top 3 in the overall market for many years. It is also a large-size pickup truck produced by Americans themselves.

Specifically, Ram Trucks achieved sales of 444,926 vehicles in 2023, a decrease of 5%. The sales gap between Ram Trucks and its two domestic rivals is quite significant.

4. Toyota RAV4: 434,943 vehicles

Compared to 2022, the sales of the Toyota RAV4 in 2023 grew by 8.8% to 434,943 vehicles. Thanks to this result, this C-segment SUV from Japan is only about 10,000 vehicles behind the Ram Trucks. If the Ram Trucks cannot improve its performance in 2024, the Toyota RAV4 could surpass it and lose its place in the top 3.

Therefore, the Toyota RAV4 continues to be the best-selling SUV in the US market in 2023. According to Ivan Drury, Director of Research at Edmunds, the advantage of the Toyota RAV4 lies in bringing completely different values from American pickup trucks such as compact size and fuel-efficient engines. Overall, the Toyota RAV4 is suitable for the American lifestyle in a high-interest rate and unstable economic environment.

5. Tesla Model Y: 394,497 vehicles

2023 can be said to be a successful year for the Tesla brand in general and the Model Y electric car in particular. With sales of about 394,497 vehicles, an increase of 56.5%, the Tesla Model Y has made it into the top 10 best-selling cars in the US. Furthermore, the Tesla Model Y outsold popular models in the US such as the Honda CR-V, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, or Toyota Corolla.

However, it should be noted that the sales figures of the Model Y are estimates as Tesla does not disclose specific sales results of this model in each region. In 2023, Tesla sold a total of 1,808,581 electric cars worldwide, an increase of 38%. Of which, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 accounted for 1,739,707 vehicles. This result helps the American brand maintain its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer.

6. Honda CR-V: 361,457 vehicles

2023 witnessed a strong sales growth of the Honda CR-V with a whopping 51.8% increase. Specifically, in 2023, Honda sold 361,457 CR-V vehicles to American customers. Thanks to that, the Honda CR-V made it into the top 10 best-selling cars in the US and ranked 6th, up 1 place compared to 2022.

The CR-V is currently the best-selling model of the Honda brand in the US market. However, due to lower sales than its fellow countryman, the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V ranks second in the SUV segment in this market.

7. GMC Sierra: 295,737 vehicles

Although it has grown by 22.4% compared to 2022, the GMC Sierra has dropped to 7th place in the list of the top 10 best-selling cars in the US in 2023. In the past year, Americans bought a total of 295,737 GMC Sierra vehicles. This is also the 4th best-selling full-size pickup truck in the US, after the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram.

8. Toyota Camry: 290,649 vehicles

In contrast to its sibling RAV4, the Toyota Camry had an unsuccessful year in 2023 with a 1.5% decrease in sales to 290,649 vehicles. Compared to 2022, the Toyota Camry has dropped to 8th place in the top 10, lower than both the Honda CR-V and GMC Sierra.

The Toyota Camry is still the best-selling sedan in the US market. However, the declining sales of the Toyota Camry partly shows the preference for pickup trucks and SUVs over sedans among American customers.

9. Nissan Rogue: 271,458 vehicles

The 9th position in the top 10 belongs to the Nissan Rogue – a compact SUV from Japan. With sales of 271,458 vehicles, the Nissan Rogue grew by 45.6% in 2023. This is also the 3rd best-selling SUV in the US market, after the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. In fact, the Nissan Rogue is the X-Trail that is currently sold in other markets worldwide.

10. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 244,594 vehicles

The last position in the top 10 belongs to the Jeep Grand Cherokee – an SUV produced by Americans themselves. This is the 6th American car to make it into the top 10 thanks to sales of 244,594 vehicles, an increase of 9.5%.

It can be seen that American cars dominate over Japanese cars in the top 10 best-selling cars in the US in 2023. Additionally, the top 10 is completely devoid of Korean and German cars.