Best-Sellers
Following a record-setting 2016, the auto industry’s sales books reset for the new year. One month in, 2017 is starting with 1,142,181 total vehicle sales — just 1.9 percent below the first month of 2016. There were a few standouts among the major brands in January, with record sales being reported by Hyundai, Nissan, Honda and Subaru, which boasts its 62nd consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. General Motors continues to lead all other manufacturers in the U.S. with a 17.2 percent market share, followed by Ford Motor Company, Chrysler / FCA group and Toyota Motor Corporation. Here’s a look at the best-sellers in America after the first month of sales, according to numbers compiled from individual auto manufacturers’ reports and goodcarbadcar.net.
20. Subaru Outback
YTD Sales: 13,186
Vs. 2016: 17.8%
Subaru has seen impressive growth over the last five years, and 2017 is starting out with the best January the brand has ever had. The Outback certainly contributed to this success with its best January as well. Outback is one of the original crossovers, combining SUV utility with the comfort and convenience of a wagon. Completely new in 2015, Outback has remained true to its original formula. This is the largest Outback Subaru has built and clearly it resonates well with consumers, since it’s currently Subaru’s best-selling model.
19. Nissan Sentra
YTD Sales: 13,444
Vs. 2016: -16.7%
Nissan had record sales in January 2017, although most of this success came from trucks and SUVs — car sales are starting the new year in decline. Sentra sales are following suit; however, it is still one of the best-selling compact cars in America. A new Sentra was introduced early last year with updated styling, retuned suspension and a freshened interior. Available high-tech features include Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Joining the Sentra lineup this year is a new high-performance NISMO edition.
18. GMC Sierra
YTD Sales: 13.732
Vs. 2016: -4.5%
The GMC Sierra had a strong showing throughout most of last year; however, the big truck has seen a slight decline over the last two months compared to a year earlier. Virtually a twin to the Chevrolet Silverado, the Sierra features GMC IntelliLink with a new 7-inch touchscreen display, an available remote-locking tailgate, wireless phone charging and available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sierra also has impressive capability — even with its fuel-efficient V6 engine, the pickup can tow up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped.
17. Ford Fusion
YTD Sales: 15,515
Vs. 2016: -21.9%
Ford’s best-selling passenger car has experienced a decline in sales over the last few months compared to a year earlier, which is somewhat surprising since a refreshed 2017 model began arriving in showrooms in the middle of 2016. With available all-wheel drive and a variety of engine choices — including a very efficient plug-in hybrid — the Fusion makes a great option as a stylish family sedan.
16. Jeep Grand Cherokee
YTD Sales: 17,301
Vs. 2016: 23.8%
The Jeep brand had great success last year, and that trend seems to be continuing into 2017. Leading Jeep’s charge is the flagship Grand Cherokee, posting a very impressive sales jump compared to January of 2016. The Grand Cherokee continues its tradition of offering impressive off-road capability in an attractive SUV package. Available with a number of 4WD systems and trim levels, the Grand Cherokee line added the off-road-focused Trailhawk and the luxurious Summit to the lineup to bolster sales momentum.
15. Chevrolet Equinox
YTD Sales: 17,574
Vs. 2016: -5.4%
One of just three Chevrolet models among January’s top 20 best-sellers, the Equinox continues to hold its own in the very competitive compact SUV market. Although overall sales were down last year, December had a nice recovery of sorts with a healthy 25 percent increase over 2015, but January 2017 sales took a bit of a dip. The small crossover received several updates for the 2016 model year, including fresh styling and some new high-tech features.
14. Ford Explorer
YTD Sales: 17,650
Vs. 2016: 6.2%
The Explorer experienced ups and downs in sales last year, but this family-size SUV has been a fixture on the best-sellers list and continues to retain its position. The revised 2016 Explorer features a fresh look, new features and a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine good for 270 horsepower. Note: Explorer figures include sales of the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility, which is reportedly the most popular vehicle for law enforcement officers and experienced a 30 percent sales increase year over year in 2016.
13. Nissan Altima
YTD Sales: 18,931
Vs. 2016: -14.6%
Once Nissan’s best-selling model, the Altima experienced a decline in 2016, allowing the hot-selling Rogue to claim its position as the top-selling Nissan in America. Still one of the best-selling passenger cars in the U.S., the popular Altima family sedan was refreshed for the 2016 model year with new interior and exterior styling, enhanced technology and connectivity, a new Altima SR sports trim and new available safety features. Fuel economy also received a bump for the new model.
12. Honda Accord
YTD Sales: 19,536
Vs. 2016: -5.9%
Although Accords may not be rolling off dealer lots at the same phenomenal rates as years past, the popular family car is still one of the best-selling passenger cars on the market. Sales were down slightly in December compared to a year ago, and that trend has continued into the new year. An all-new 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid has been added to the lineup, featuring several high-tech features and impressive fuel economy, which could attract additional buyers.
11. Chevrolet Cruze
YTD Sales: 19,949
Vs. 2016: 38.9%
Counter to the declining popularity of the passenger car, the Chevrolet Cruze started 2017 with its best January ever, moving the small Chevy back onto the Top 20 sales list. Redesigned for the 2016 model year and now featuring a hatchback version, Cruze features a standard turbocharged 153-horsepower 1.4-liter direct-injection engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed automatic. Cruze achieves 40 mpg on the highway, with start-stop technology improving efficiency in stop-and-go driving. Available in more than 40 countries, Cruze is Chevrolet’s best-selling model around the world with more than four million sold since 2008.
10. Toyota Camry
YTD Sales: 20,313
Vs. 2016: -24.3%
The Toyota Camry held onto the title of best-selling passenger car in America for 15 years, but with a steep decline in January the popular passenger car has dropped in the ranks — at least for now. Redesigned for the 2015 model year with an aggressive new grille and front bumper, the current generation continues into the 2017 model year with available LED headlights incorporating integrated front turn signals and LED daytime running lights. An all-new 2018 Camry debuted at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and will be arriving in showrooms later this year.
9. Ford Escape
YTD Sales: 20,588
Vs. 2016: 7.1%
This small 5-passenger crossover from Ford has long been the best-selling American-brand SUV, and with a strong January it appears to be holding onto this distinction. Ford recently introduced a redesigned 2017 Escape that features a new exterior look, new interior, new engines and more driver-assistance technology. Most obvious is the new raised trapezoidal grille that ties Escape’s look more closely to other Ford SUVs.
8. Toyota Corolla
YTD Sales: 21,567
Vs. 2016: -8.7%
The Corolla certainly is an old-timer — in name at least. Although the car was redesigned last year, the name has been around for 50 years with more than 40 million Corollas sold since its introduction. Corolla sales have declined slightly in the last few months, but the overall numbers are strong enough to make this small car Toyota’s best-selling passenger car. Corolla’s continued success is thanks in part to its impressive fuel economy, roomy interior and extensive list of standard features.
7. Toyota RAV4
YTD Sales: 22,155
Vs. 2016: 2.8%
Toyota’s RAV4 crossover experienced impressive sales in 2016, and with a redesigned model that trend continues into the new year. RAV4 started 2017 with its best January sales ever — impressive considering it is coming off record sales last year. The updated RAV4 features edgier styling and is available as a hybrid. All RAV4 Hybrids are 4WD — the gas engine combines with an electric motor to drive the front wheels, while an additional electric motor provides power to the rear wheels.
6. Honda Civic
YTD Sales: 23,095
Vs. 2016: -13.6%
Demand for the all-new Civic decreased slightly in January; however, this could be due to the strong demand for the compact model last year. Since sales declined for Toyota’s Corolla and Camry in January, Civic is currently the best-selling passenger car in America. The tenth generation of this popular car features fresh styling, improved aerodynamics, new vehicle architecture, a more spacious interior and two new engines. Fuel economy is also impressive — rated as high as 42 mpg with a new turbocharged powerplant. Civic has a lot of buzz thanks to the recent Los Angeles debut of the high-performance Civic Type R and Civic Si — both scheduled to arrive in the U.S. this year.
5. Nissan Rogue
YTD Sales: 28,760
Vs. 2016: 45.5%
Nissan has discovered the perfect crossover formula with the Rogue, and it continues to have impressive sales growth. Strong numbers over the last two months have helped Rogue become Nissan’s best-selling model for the first time. Nissan recently introduced a new 2017 Rogue with updated styling and features. The updated Rogue has a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an advanced Xtronic transmission with Eco mode, boasting an EPA fuel economy rating as high as 33 mpg. The 2017 Rogue is also available as a hybrid, and later in the year a smaller Rogue Sport will join the lineup.
4. Honda CR-V
YTD Sales: 29,287
Vs. 2016: 52.5 %
The CR-V has managed to hold onto the title of best-selling SUV in America, thanks to record sales in January following its best annual sales ever in 2016. The CR-V continues to offer consumers a comfortable, small crossover with great utility and excellent fuel economy. In fact, CR-V’s 2.4-liter 185-horsepower engine teamed with a new continuously variable transmission makes it one of the most fuel-efficient crossovers on the market.
3. Ram Truck
YTD Sales: 33,769
Vs. 2016: 3.7%
Ram truck continues to have a lock on this third-place spot with a strong showing to begin 2017, following the best annual sale the pickup has had in the last decade. With a number of different bodystyles and powertrains, Ram continues to iterate with special editions that keep customers coming back. The latest is the Ram 1500 Rebel Black special edition that adds black wheels, brush guards and all-black Katzkin interior to the off-road-ready Ram Rebel.
2. Chevrolet Silverado
YTD Sales: 35,553
Vs. 2016: -6.1%
The perennial runner-up to the Ford F-Series, Silverado was refreshed with updated styling and several new features for 2016. However, sales have been declining a bit recently — December numbers were down almost 14 percent compared to December 2015, and January sales were down as well. Silverado is available in many configurations with different cab and trim-level options. When properly equipped, the Silverado 1500 can tow more than 12,000 pounds.
1. Ford F-Series
YTD Sales: 57,995
Vs. 2016: 12.5%
The Ford F-Series pickup has been the best-selling vehicle in America for 35 years, and 2016 marked its 40th year as America’s best-selling pickup truck. More than 26 million F-Series pickups have been sold since 1977, and the latest versions are rolling off dealer lots at an impressive rate. The F-Series shows no signs of slowing, kicking off 2017 with its best sales start since 2004. Another contributing factor to the F-Series sales juggernaut was the arrival of an all-new Super Duty, boasting plenty of innovative features and impressive capability.
Data: Automaker sales releases, goodcarbadcar.net
