Managing Money In A Crisis
Weekly tips sent straight to your inbox
Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn how we make money.
Best-selling cars in the US
Ford tops the charts when it comes to sales.
Want to know what everyone else is buying? Reading up on the most popular manufacturers and makes can help you make a decision when it comes to getting a new set of wheels.
Top 10 vehicle manufacturers, US 2018
| Manufacturer | 2018 car sales |
|---|---|
| Ford | 1,987,481 |
| Toyota | 1,778,996 |
| Chevrolet | 1,671,245 |
| Honda | 1,201,072 |
| Nissan | 1,117,515 |
| Jeep | 818,994 |
| Subaru | 558,812 |
| Hyundai | 545,444 |
| Kia | 497,144 |
| Ram | 471,203 |
Source: carsalesbase.com
Compare loans for popular cars
Notable changes since 2017
- Subaru replaced Hyundai for 6th place.
- Ram knocked GMC off the the list by squeaking in at 10th place.
Top 10 vehicle models, US 2018
| Vehicle | 2018 car sales |
|---|---|
| Ford F-Series | 679,018 |
| Chevrolet Silverado | 424,403 |
| Ram Pickup | 375,583 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 322,647 |
| Nissan Rogue | 309,979 |
| Honda CR-V | 280,933 |
| Toyota Camry | 264,508 |
| Honda Civic | 255,036 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 234,379 |
| Toyota Corolla | 217,301 |
Source: carsalesbase.com
Notable changes since 2017
- Honda CR-V beat Toyota Camry out for 6th place
- Chevrolet Equinox replaced Honda Accord in 8th place
The F-Series Ford outsold any other vehicle in 22 of 50 states in 2017. The second closest was the Chevrolet Silverado, which was the top seller in seven of 50 states.
Despite not having any electric models in the top-selling categories, the overall sales still increased from 158,614 in 2016 to 199,826 in 2017.
Compare car loans from top providers
{"niche":"USFCL"}
Best selling cars by car type
| Car type | Best-selling car |
|---|---|
| Large pickup | Ford F-Series |
| Small pickup | Toyota Tacoma |
| Large sports cars | Chevrolet Corvette |
| Midsize sports cars | Ford Mustang |
| Small sports cars | Hyundai Veloster |
| Premium full-size SUV | Cadillac Escalade |
| Premium large SUV | Lexus RX |
| Premium midsize SUV | Mercedes-Benz GLC |
| Premium compact SUV | BMW X1 |
| Premium large | Mercedes-Benz E-class |
| Premium midsize | Mercedes-Benz C-class |
| Premium compact | Mercedes-Benz CLA |
| Large SUV | Chevrolet Tahoe |
| Midsize SUV | Ford Explorer |
| Compact SUV | Nissan Rouge |
| Subcompact SUV | Buick Encore |
| Minivan | Dodge Grand Caravan |
| Large | Dodge Charger |
| Midsize | Toyota Camry |
| Compact | Honda Civic |
| Subcompact | Kia Soul |
| Minicar | Mitsubishi Mirage |
| Limousine | Mercedes-Benz S-class |
Source: carsalesbase.com
Tips on how to finance a new car
Everyone has different options available when it comes to financing a new car. There are some key factors you should pay attention to before you begin your journey of purchasing a new vehicle:
- Check your credit score. When you know your credit score, whether it be good or bad, you’ll have an idea what lenders have to work with. Some lenders specifically offer bad credit auto loans. Dealerships and other private lenders typically prefer more creditworthy applicants.
- Go for the shorter loan term. Even though the payments will be a little more per month, you’ll pay less in interest and will own the car much faster when you opt for the shortest loan term you can fit in your budget.
- Put down a 20% payment. By doing this, you’re knocking out a huge chunk of the principal. This allows you to pay off the car faster and ultimately save money on interest.
- Pay extra fees in cash. Lenders may offer to rolls fees into your financing. But by paying for any extras like tax and registration with cash, you’ll reduce any extra loan balance.
- Get loan quotes. Unless you have perfect credit and will be dealing directly with the dealership, it’s in your financial interest to do some research about different lenders to see which is a good fit for you. Narrow it down to two to three lenders and apply to see which service can offer you the best possible deal.
Bottom line
A new car can be a huge hit to the wallet. Whether you’re financing a used vehicle or you’re looking to get something fresh off the line, there are solutions for you to discover.
Frequently asked questions
Image source: Shutterstock
Ask an Expert