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As Q2 kicks off, we’re seeing new car sales lead data coming in with some interesting takeaways. Today, Car Dealership Guy shared the top five most in-demand cars of 2024. Let’s take a look at the list’s stunning variety and discuss.

Year-to-date, the top 5 most in-demand cars of 2024 are:

  • 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • 2024 Toyota Prius
  • 2024 Kia Carnival
  • 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Yossi Levi, the founder of Car Dealership Guy, used the lead data of more than 700 dealerships nationwide. The list was compiled using the models with the most leads-to-available units, which would label them as the most in-demand vehicles. Keep in mind, then, that the list is different than “cars earning the most leads” overall.

An aerial view of colorful cars lined up in parking spots
nonnie192 via iStock

Why are these the most in-demand cars of 2024?

The Hyundai Santa Fe tops the pack. I’m not completely surprised here; the six-or-seven-passenger midsize SUV starts at $33,950. There isn’t a parking lot in Columbus, Ohio, that isn’t filled with a good number of Hyundai and Kia badges. I’d expect a “cheaper” option for a people hauler to garner a lot of attention this year.

What’s extremely interesting to me is the presence of the Kia Carnival. After all, the Carnival is a minivan. It underwent a huge redesign in 2022. As such, it’s been very well-received by critics and drivers alike, but due to the body style, I wasn’t expecting a van to outdemand an SUV.

Two very different Toyotas grace the list as well: the Pruis, a compact hybrid sedan, and the Highlander Hybrid, a midsize three-row SUV.

I recently reported that the Jeep Wrangler is the most googled used car (‘used jeep wrangler’) in the world. What’s more, Ford sold the most vehicles in the U.S. in 2023. It’s interesting to see Jeep and especially Ford missing from the list.

A fully-electric car is also absent.

All things considered, year-to-date, Americans are seeking everything from reasonably priced high-passenger SUVs and the everyday Chevy workhorse truck to recognizable hybrids and a refreshed minivan.