1 SUV Is the Most Popular in 4 of 6 New England States (and It Isn’t a Subaru)
Many believe that the states of New England adore the Subaru Forester. However, the data is in, and it appears this is no longer true. The Toyota RAV4 has taken its place, and the Ford F-Series comes in second.
The Toyota RAV4 beat out the competition
New England is made up of six states. These include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Edmunds has released a poll about which vehicle is most popular in each state, and in a surprise twist, the Toyota RAV4 has beaten out the Subaru Forester for New England’s love.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have all chosen the Toyota RAV4 as their vehicle of choice. Given the cold, wintry weather that often hits New England, it’s clear that most drivers would want something that can go in the snow.
In many cases, families turn to Subaru thanks to its standard AWD, but a further look at the data reveals that only the Subaru Crosstrek managed to earn a place in each state’s top five. It was ranked fourth in Vermont and second in Connecticut.
Toyota really dominated these lists, with the Toyota RAV4 taking first place more often than not. Other Toyota models to make an appearance were the Tacoma, Highlander, and Camry.
The Ford F-Series is more popular in 2 states
Residents of Vermont and Maine did not choose the Toyota RAV4 as their favorite vehicle. In this case, these states are more drawn to the Ford F-Series.
While the F-Series didn’t have enough appeal for New Englanders to take the other four states, it did appear in the top five on many of their lists. For example, it came in fifth for Massachusetts and second for New Hampshire.
While Edmunds did not specify which of the F-Series Vermont and Maine chose, the F-150 was likely the model of choice. The F-150 is one of the best-selling vehicles of all time, after all, and is often ranked as a top truck.
Here’s why everyone loves the Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 appears to be having a good year as far as sales go. It has sold an estimated 84,704 vehicles, which is impressive. In 2022, GoodCarBadCar reports that the Toyota RAV4 sold 407,739 units. Interestingly enough, the Ford F-150 outsold the Toyota RAV4, with 726,003 units sold.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 remains a popular choice amongst New Englanders, thanks in large part to the fact that it has a smooth ride. This is crucial when driving over mounds of snow or trying to get home on slick roads.
It has an inline four-cylinder engine that generates 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the RAV4 has stellar gas mileage, with an EPA rating of 27 city mpg, 35 highway mpg, and 30 combined mpg.
The RAV4 has plenty of room for a two-row SUV, and the interior is quiet. It also receives praise from many critics for the easy-to-use controls. The TRD Off-Road trim is especially nice for those who wish to hit the trails.
There are plenty of standard safety features, such as lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a pre-and post-collision warning system. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 also has a max towing capacity of 1,500 lbs to tow small items like campers or ATVs. AWD is available, although front-wheel drive comes standard.
To add to the appeal, the 2023 RAV4 has a starting MSRP of $27,975. For anyone looking for a reliable new SUV, this is a price many can afford.
