The 10 Best-Selling Vehicles of 2017
Changing consumer tastes in vehicle segments caused some major shake-ups for 2017's list of highest-selling vehicle models
Is anyone really surprised at this point that the Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in America?
The automotive industry experienced several major changes throughout 2017. With the advent of electric models and a growing consumer shift towards crossovers and SUVs, vehicles sales were in constant flux during the majority of last year.
In spite of these changes, the same 10 models that were the highest-selling vehicles during 2016 retained their membership on 2017’s list. The rank and order of these vehicles, on the other hand, underwent some major shake-ups.
To explore these sales changes and shifts, here is an in-depth look of the 10 best-selling vehicles for 2017.
A Look Back at Popular Vehicle Models: 10 Best-Selling Vehicles in 2015
- 10. Honda Accord
- 9. Toyota Corolla
- 8. Honda Civic
- 7. Honda CR-V
- 6. Toyota Camry
- 5. Nissan Rogue
- 4. Toyota RAV4
- 3. Ram Pickup
- 2. Chevrolet Silverado
- 1. Ford F-Series
#10: Honda Accord
2016 Rank: #9
2017 Sales: 322,655
2016 Sales: 345,225
Net Sales Gain/Loss: -6.5%
The Honda Accord was just named the 2018 North American Car of the Year, so it’s not too surprising to see it on 2017’s list of the top 10 best-selling vehicles. The Accord only dropped down one ranking from 2016’s sales listing, which is a better showing than many of its sedan-based peers. Hopefully, a refreshed design can net a sales gain for the Accord in 2018.
#9: Toyota Corolla
2016 Rank: #6
2017 Sales: 329,196
2016 Sales: 360,483
Net Sales Gain/Loss: -8.7%
Sedans are generally falling out a favor, and the Toyota Corolla is evidence of this trend. The Corolla suffered the most severe sales losses of the top 10 highest-selling vehicles for 2017. With a sales loss of 8.7%, The Corolla went from being ranked #6 to being ranked #9.
#8: Honda Civic
2016 Rank: #5
2017 Sales: 377,286
2016 Sales: 366,927
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 2.8%
While other sedans might be reeling from the effects of sales losses, the Honda Civic actually manged to gain sales in 2017. Civic sales were up by 2.8% year-over-year. Still, the Civic did fall back to #8 on the best-selling vehicles list, due to how successfully its crossover and SUV competitors performed.
#7: Honda CR-V
2016 Rank: #7
2017 Sales: 377,895
2016 Sales: 357,335
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 5.8%
The reliable Honda CR-V actually managed to maintain the exact same position in 2017 as it did in 2016: #7. Despite this, it did managed to net a sales gain of 5.8%. This allowed the CR-V to surpass its Civic cousin in terms of sales by a mere 609 units.
#6: Toyota Camry
2016 Rank: #4
2017 Sales: 387,081
2016 Sales: 388,616
Net Sales Gain/Loss: -0.4%
The Toyota Camry started out 2017 with a rough patch in terms of sales. The introduction of a new generation of Toyota Camry vehicles helped boost sales in the second half of the year. Nevertheless, two separate SUVs managed to overtake the Camry, with its previously-held spot as the #4 highest-selling vehicle.
#5: Nissan Rogue
2016 Rank: #10
2017 Sales: 403,465
2016 Sales: 329,904
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 22.3%
If there was one major success story for vehicles in 2017, then the Nissan Rogue would be the protagonist of said story. Whether due to a growing taste in utility models or a strategic partnership with the Star Wars franchise, Rogue sales were up by 22.3% last year. That allowed the model to rise from the #10 rank to the #5 position.
#4: Toyota RAV4
2016 Rank: #8
2017 Sales: 407,594
2016 Sales: 352,139
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 15.7%
Historically, the Toyota Camry has always been the Japanese automaker’s best-selling vehicle stateside. That wasn’t the case in 2017, as the Toyota RAV4 took the Camry’s place as the fourth best-selling vehicle of the year. RAV4 sales totaled 407,594 units in 2017, a sales gain of 15.7%.
#3: Ram Pickup
2016 Rank: #3
2017 Sales: 500,723
2016 Sales: 489,418
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 2.3%
Partway through the year, it looked as though the Ram lineup of pickups might overtake the Silverado to be 2017’s second highest-selling vehicle. During the second half of the year, however, the momentum for Ram began to die down. On the bright side, the Ram pickup truck managed to crack the 500,000-vehicle milestone.
#2: Chevrolet Silverado
2016 Rank: #2
2017 Sales: 585,864
2016 Sales: 574,876
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 1.9%
After fending off the Ram lineup earlier in the year, the Chevy Silverado settled for a comfortable lead in 2017’s second half. “Settle” might be an appropriate term, as Silverado sales only grew by a slight 1.9%. The introduction of a new generation of Silverado vehicles might net more sales gains for the model in 2018.
#1: Ford F-Series
2016 Rank: #1
2017 Sales: 896,764
2016 Sales: 820,799
Net Sales Gain/Loss: 9.3%
Year after year, the Ford F-Series continues to be the industry’s best-selling model in the United States. It might seem impossible for the F-Series to further cement its status as America’s favorite vehicle model. Yet Ford came close to selling 900,000 Ford F-Series models last year, furthering the gap between it and other vehicles in the industry with a 9.3% sales gain.
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Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.
