The 3 Most Popular American SUVs so Far This Year
The American automotive market is dominated by pickup trucks and SUVs. This is no surprise for many consumers who follow the American automotive market. In fact, the Ford F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in America for the last 46 consecutive years. Don’t sleep on SUVs though, sales numbers have been increasing for years across different SUV segments.
With first-quarter sales coming in for 2023, we can start to see which automotive brands and models are on course to be a top sellers by the end of the year, and with nearly every new car sold in America being a pickup truck or an SUV, we can start to see which models are true top sellers. Focusing on domestic brands only, what are the most popular American SUVs so far this year?
The Chevy Equinox: 52,902 units sold
The Chevy Equinox has been a mainstay in the Chevrolet lineup for years now, and it currently sits as the third-best-selling American SUV for sale for 2023 according to Car and Driver. The Equinox continues to hold a top-selling spot in its SUV segment due to its stable ride and handling, large seats, convenient infotainment system, and a low starting MSRP of around $26,600.
Overall, the Equinox was the 15th best-selling vehicle of the first quarter of 2023. The 2023 Equinox looks primed to reach 200,000 units sold by the end of the year, and it just might overtake its sales numbers from last year.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee: 54,502 units sold
Taking the 13th spot overall in sales as the 2nd best-selling American SUV is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While this Jeep is a top-selling American SUV, its sales numbers are down from last year, with a 27% decline in sales when compared to the first quarter sales of 2022.
However, the Grand Cherokee continues to bring consumers in, likely due to Jeep’s investment in a large lineup of Grand Cherokee models.
The Grand Cherokee currently has six different models to choose from, ranging from a solid base model in the Laredo at $41,035 to the luxurious Summit Reserve model at $63,710. The Grand Cherokee is also getting a plug-in hybrid model called the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, which, just like the Wrangler 4xe, can drive on all-electric power only.
This 4xe drivetrain is also the only way to enjoy the Grand Cherokee’s powerful Trailhawk model. Americans love the freedom that off-road-capable vehicles like the Grand Cherokee offers. With new exciting models on the horizon, the sales of the Grand Cherokee are bound to rise.
The Ford Explorer: 58,061 units sold
The Ford Explorer is currently standing tall as the most popular American SUV of 2023 so far, reaching heights that we haven’t seen out of the Explorer since the ’90s. The Explorer is currently enjoying a 36% increase in sales compared to the first quarter of 2022.
The Explorer’s third-row seating and impressive features have made an impression on the SUV market, so much so that it is currently outselling its rival, the Toyota Highlander, by several thousand units.
Currently, the only American SUV that has a chance at beating the Ford Explorer is the Tesla Model Y, which, according to Car and Driver via Automotive News, may have over 85,000 units sold. Due to Tesla’s current trend of delaying its sales numbers, we may not know just how many units are sold in Tesla’s lineup. But for now, the Ford Explorer is the best-selling American-produced SUV.
