The vast majority of adult Americans have access to at least one motor vehicle. Statistics from 2021 show that there were some 232.8 million licensed drivers in the US, so there’s a whole load of cars on our freeways at any given time of the day.
In terms of the most popular vehicles, Americans’ tastes have changed over the years. The huge, gas-guzzling cars of the past are still on the road, but only just. Modern trends are for more economical means of transportation, but there are variations.
Here, we will be looking at the most popular vehicles for average US drivers in the present day.
Top Seller
The top selling car in America in 2022 was the Chevrolet Silverado. A lightweight, yet versatile pickup truck, this was a popular choice in most states.
The Chevy Silverado has the power to cope with off-road conditions, but it’s also a smooth ride on the regular highway. With a host of optional extras including trims and 2302 Ridge Grappler Tires, it’s a good all-rounder that appeals to many types of motorists.
Going Green
In less than 40 years, America has abandoned the gas guzzler and has tentatively started to embrace the new range of electric vehicles. The biggest selling EV in the states in 2022 was the Tesla Model Y.
Of all of the current electric vehicles, the Tesla Y is widely seen as the most versatile. It’s a solid off-road option which performs well in all weather conditions, and it has a long range. The Tesla Y also made it into the top ten overall sales list, slotting in at number nine.
Close Calls
A host of other cars score very highly in terms of sales across the United States. The list of other best sellers includes the Ford F-Series, the Toyota Rav-4, the GMC Sierra, the Toyota Tacoma and the Honda CR-V.
While there is a mix of different styles, the overall top ten contains a number of pickup trucks among its ranks. The Chevrolet Silverado is included in that batch, so that’s something of a preference for the average American driver.
Battle of the Brands
The success of the Chevrolet Silverado suggests that Americans remain loyal to their traditional, national brands. However, there is steady competition from overseas manufacturers, and they have a strong hold over the marketplace.
In fact, if we look at the figures for each producer, they tell us that Toyota sold the most cars in 2022. Chevrolet flew the stars and stripes for the US, as they followed in second place. Other top selling brands on both sides of the Atlantic included Ford, Tesla, Honda and GMC.
Overall, Toyota won the battle, but they are something of an overseas anomaly in a landscape that is dominated by US manufacturers.
Different Strokes for Different States
While the cars listed offer a general view as to America’s preferences, the picture isn’t always a united one. For example, while the Tesla Model Y is the most popular electric vehicle overall, it only ranks as number one in five states.
There could be a number of different reasons for this. Perhaps those areas where NASCAR is so highly regarded are less trusting of EVs. Here, a more economical option is preferred. A similar picture can be seen with other vehicles too. In remote areas such as the Dakotas, the preference is for All-Terrain models and that’s easy to understand.
Overall, it’s a mixed picture, but it also suggests that Americans remain loyal. The Chevy Silverado is top of the pile, while many other nationally produced cars are big sellers in the present day.
It will be interesting to see this list evolve and to identify any changes when the 2023 figures are released. Will electric vehicles grab a bigger share of the market and will the trend for buying pickup trucks continue through this year and beyond?