America Still Loves Trucks, But SUVs Are Quietly Winning The Sales War
It's sometimes easy to get caught up in the hype around SUVs and how they are dominating the industry. Statistics of electric vehicles growing their market share by massive percentages also make it sound like the market for internal combustion engines is almost at an end. While there has been growth in both the SUV and EV segments over the years, the best way to gauge what consumers want is to look at the bare sales figures.
So, we investigated the latest stats from Kelley Blue Book to get an accurate assessment of what vehicles have topped the sales charts over the past year, and how they are doing in the first quarter of 2026. We focused on the top 10 best-performing vehicles for our stats, but when we included the top 25 entries, the results were rather interesting. We have arranged the list in descending order based on 2025 figures and have included the latest 2026 sales numbers for each model as well.
1. Ford F-Series
- 2025 Units Sold: 828,832
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 157,841
The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling truck in the US for a staggering 49 consecutive years. And it has topped the charts of for all vehicle types since 1981. 2025 saw this impressive trend continue, with the F-Series models outselling their nearest competitor by a massive margin. Part of its popularity is down to the sheer scale of customization available to consumers, ranging from hardy work trucks starting at under $40,000, to desert-conquering variants that start at double that figure.
It hasn't been smooth sailing the whole way though, as the demise of the Ford F-150 Lightning signaled that buyers weren't quite ready for a pure EV F-150 just yet. The hybrid 3.5-liter V6 is the next closest thing currently on sale, but the good-old 5.0-liter V8 is still as popular as ever.
2. Chevrolet Silverado
- 2025 Units Sold: 580,368
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 126,139
The Silverado is a constant runner-up to the F-Series, and it offers a similar level of options and customizations, but with the added benefit of a diesel option even on the 1500 models. And while its near 600,000 sales figure for 2025 is impressive, it doesn't include the almost identical GMC Sierra models which would push the overall tally to 936,586 vehicles. That's over 100,000 more than the F-Series' total.
3. Toyota RAV4
- 2025 Units Sold: 479,288
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 59,869
Spoiling the full-size truck lockout of the top three places, the Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling non-pickup for 2025. These figures include both the regular and hybrid trims, and Toyota's reputation for reliability and the RAV4's ‘rightness' saw it achieve almost half a million sales. 2026 didn't start quite as well, and the combination of supply issues and a complete redesign has the RAV4 sitting at a lowly 13th overall. The sixth-gen model sales should pick up as the year wears on.
4. Honda CR-V
- 2025 Units Sold: 403,768
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 99,437
The CR-V was the fourth best-selling vehicle in 2025, and it regularly competes with the RAV4 for overall sales volume. The current generation CR-V is solid and dependable, offering great value and a decent level of equipment across all trims. Its sales performance in the first quarter of 2026 has been very impressive, and it's currently third overall.
5. Ram Truck
- 2025 Units Sold: 374,059
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 98,425
The Ramfull-size truck slotted into fifth position last year, and has posted a great first quarter for 2026. Consumers wanting a bit more refinement and a smoother ride thanks to coil springs in the rear. The powerful new Hurricane inline-six engine may be cutting-edge, but when Ram discontinued the Hemi V8 in 2025, customers rebelled, and it is now back on the options list.
6. GMC Sierra
- 2025 Units Sold: 356,218
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 74,319
While it is mechanically identical to the Silverado, the Sierra is marketed as a more luxurious and refined truck. It is much like the higher trim options offered on the Ford F-Series trucks, but as it is sold under a different name, it is listed separately when it comes to sales figures. Overall, though the Silverado/Sierra twins outsell the dominant F-150, and the early figures indicate that this will be the case in 2026 as well.
7. Chevrolet Equinox
- 2025 Units Sold: 332,301
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 61,398
A complete redesign for 2025 saw the Chevy Equinox gain more tech and safety features, resulting in a very strong showing for that year. It continues to perform well in 2026, despite a poor predicted reliability rating according to Consumer Reports.
8. Tesla Model Y
- 2025 Units Sold: 317,800
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 78,591
The only EV that made it into the top 10 last year, the Model Y continues to do well so far in 2026. It is certainly a strong offering, with impressive performance, range and features, but even though it is still the most popular EV around, it hasn't quite managed to maintain its near 400,000 sales figures in 2023 and 2024. The shifting regulatory landscape has dampened demand for EVs at the moment, but this may well be a short-term blip.
9. Toyota Camry
- 2025 Units Sold: 316,185
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 78,255
America's favorite mid-size sedan slots in at ninth place, and while sedans may no longer be the go-to family vehicle, this is one that refuses to die. Now hybrid only, the Camry offers great value for money and its sales figures show no signs of slowing down for 2026.
10. Toyota Tacoma
- 2025 Units Sold: 274,638
- 2026 Units Sold (YTD): 69,263
The Tacoma may top reliability ratings and be just as capable as other full-size trucks, but it tends to lag behind in sales. Still, 10th place is commendable, and the recent model refresh in 2024 should see it gain a bit more market share if it can maintain that rock-solid reliability record.
2025 Top 10 Sales Figures by Segment
The overall picture when reading through that top 10 list is a clear indication of just how dominant trucks still are, if we divide up the sales figures by body type, it shows just how popular they are.
Commanding well over 50% of the top 10 sales volumes year after year, you'd assume that what customers want above all else is a full-size truck. SUVs are undoubtedly popular, with mid-size and compact models being consumer favorites, but they are almost a million units shy of mounting a challenge for the top spot. The only pure EV here is the Tesla Model Y, with the Tesla Model 3 being the next pure electric entry in 21st place with 172,800 units sold.
2025 Top 25 Sales Figures by Segment
It's always easy to check up the most commonly quoted stats and draw conclusions, but if we did that here we'd be getting a very skewed picture. That's because if we include the top 25 best selling vehicles in the US, then we'd see that SUVs are in fact the dominant body style.
| Segment | Models Included | Combined 2025 Sales | Market Share (Top 25) |
|---|---|---|---|
SUVs & Crossovers | RAV4, CR-V, Model Y, Equinox, Tucson, Explorer, Rogue, Grand Cherokee, Trax, Crosstrek, Sportage, Forester, Wrangler, Outback | 3,121,541 | 48.6% |
Pickup Trucks | F-Series, Silverado, Ram, Sierra, Tacoma, Maverick | 2,569,166 | 40.0% |
Sedans & Hatchbacks | Camry, Corolla, Civic, Model 3 | 571,229 | 8.9% |
Vans | Ford Transit | 161,797 | 2.5% |
Total Top 25 Sales Volume for 2025 | 6,423,733 |
That's because the only other truck in the top 25 is the Ford Maverick, and it sits dead last with just 155.051 units sold in 2025. The rest of the list is filled with SUVs of all shapes and sizes, as well as a handful of smaller sedans. That pushes the overall market share of pickup trucks down to 40% and raises SUVs up to 48.6%. It may not be a massive lead, but it amounts to a difference of 552,375 vehicles.
So, while the big volume sellers may still be the fan-favorite full-size trucks, they are no longer the undisputed sales leaders they once were.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM.