10 Best-selling cars of 2019

While the global economy hasn’t been the best in 2019, the automobile sector clearly took a hit when it came to sales. However, there are certain automakers and their respective cars that, despite the slowdown, weren’t in too bad a shape during this year.

Obviously, when it comes to the list of “best-selling cars”, we won’t be mentioning any niche models such as Bugatti, Ferrari or Lamborghini -- those who can afford these exuberantly-priced cars are rarely bothered by menial matters such as low-interest rates or monthly EMIs. Therefore, here you will only see those models that an average Joe could buy.

Having made that very clear, let’s go ahead and commence our countdown of the 10 best-selling cars of 2019 in the United States.

10. Toyota Corolla - 304,850 units sold

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see the Toyota Corolla on this list. After all, it is one of the all-time best-selling cars in the history of the modern automobile. Landing on US shores sometime in the late 1960s, the Corolla has been one of the most recognized nameplates in the country - something that remains true to this day.

Currently in its twelfth generation, the all-new Toyota Corolla is sold in two distinct forms - hatchback and sedan. Of course, there’s a hybrid variant available as well. Regardless, the 2020 Corolla is undeniably the most exciting and best-designed model -- the earlier models were criticized for being rather bland in the looks department.

Prices start from $19,600 for the regular gas-powered sedan; while the hatchback starts from $20,290 and finally, the hybrid starts from $23,100. The Corolla has definitely come a long way, with the latest iteration being packed with features and boasting decent everyday performance.

9. Honda Civic - 325,650 units sold

Just like its Toyota rival, the Honda Civic has seen splendid success all over the world, including the United States. Available in sedan, hatchback and coupe forms, the 2020 Honda Civic offers buyers plenty of choices to choose from. Even though the outgoing model was launched back in 2015, it still looks fresh and modern nearly half a decade later.

The new Civic not only looks good but also comes loaded with several useful features - including Honda’s Sensing Suite. As for pricing, the standard Civic sedan starts from $20,650, with the coupe coming in at $21,050, and the hatchback costing about $700 more. And while there was a time when the larger Accord shipped more units, times are clearly changing in favor of the Civic.

8. Toyota Camry - 336,978 units sold

Selling over 11,300 units more than the smaller and cheaper Civic, the 2020 Toyota Camry’s presence on this list was almost by way of default. Just as with its smaller Corolla sibling, the Camry has consistently been one the Japanese brand’s greatest hits and is touted as the best-selling passenger car in the country.

The eighth-generation Camry was launched at the North American International Auto Show in 2017 and is riding on the marque’s TNGA platform. Compared to its predecessor, the latest avatar of the Camry boasts a far more appealing design, along with improved ride comfort, better performance, and an improved features list.

In the US, the 2020 Toyota Camry is priced from $24,425 for the entry-level L trim, while the hybrid range starts from $28,430. Well-built and astonishingly reliable, the 2020 Camry is a thorough all-rounder in every sense of the word.

7. Chevrolet Equinox - 346,048 units sold

First released in late 2016 as the third-generation model, the new Chevrolet Equinox is arguably the American automaker’s best-selling crossover/SUV. With crossovers being all the rage right now and a starting sticker price of just under 24,000 dollars ($23,800, to be precise), the Equinox has quite a few things working in its favor.

The current-gen Equinox also earned top points when it comes to matters pertaining to initial & long-term quality, as reported in a survey conducted by J. D. Power in 2019. The Equinox is based on the same platform as the new GMC Terrain and as such, seats up to five occupants in a comfortable and spacious cabin.

Given its relatively-low starting price, the great standard list of safety features, and a roomy boot, it isn’t entirely surprising to see this compact crossover doing so well.

6. Nissan Rogue/Rogue Sport - 350,447 units sold

Some of the most popular and well-liked compact crossovers in the States, the Nissan Rogue and Rogue Sport duo have been doing extremely well for themselves in the past few years. This is despite the fact that in 2019, sales of the entire Rogue range actually dropped when compared to the previous year. Also, keep in mind that the sales figure of 350,447 includes both the versions of the Rogue.

The smaller of the two - the Rogue Sport, starts from $23,240, whilst the entry-level trim of the regular Rogue commences at around $25,300. While both these cars are strict five-seaters, it is the Rogue that feels undeniably more spacious and airy - after all, it is larger in size. The Rogue also has a bigger boot behind its second row.

While the Rogue is definitely a more practical choice between the two, it is the Sport version that looks more stylish. In terms of engine output, the regular Rogue makes 170 hp with 175 lb-ft (237 Nm) of torque from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the Rogue Sport gets a 2.0-liter four-popper that produces 141 hp and 147 lb-ft (199 Nm) of torque.

5. Honda CR-V - 384,168 units sold

The Honda CR-V is the Japanese automaker’s most popular and best-selling car in the United States, with 2019 sales standing at over 384,000 units. The CR-V has always been doing well, not just in North America but across the globe, too. The outgoing fifth-generation model was introduced in 2016, and shares its basic underpinning with the new-gen Civic.

Honda sells two different variants of the CR-V here in the States -- the least expensive is the regular model that starts at $25,050, while the Hybrid costs from $27,750. The base CR-V is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-popper that develops 190 hp and 179 lb-ft (243 Nm) of torque and drives the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

With the latest-gen CR-V, Honda has tried to improve the overall quality of materials, build and fit-and-finish, and it shows. On the outside and in, this "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle" feels well-built, acceptably quiet on most road surfaces, loaded with several safety & convenience features, and is quite easy to drive as well. No wonder then Honda moves so many of these without much fuss.

4. Toyota RAV4 - 448,071 units sold

Outselling the already-popular Honda CR-V by a margin of over 63,000 units, the Toyota RAV4 is easily the best-selling crossover/SUV in the United States right now. Not only that, but the 2019 sales of the RAV4 also overtook its 2018 sales figure by nearly 5 percent. Really goes to show how incredibly successful and important this model is for Toyota.

First unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in 2018, the fifth generation of the RAV4 makes use of Toyota’s TNGA platform, and buyers can choose from one of two versions. Firstly, there is the regular gas-powered model which costs from $25,950 (LE trim), and that is followed by the Hybrid model (LE Hybrid trim), starting from $28,350.

Being a Toyota, the new RAV4 not only offers customers a hassle-free ownership experience, but also comes equipped with many modern passive & active safety tech to ensure optimum occupant protection as well. Then there is the marque’s impeccable reliability record that’s almost impossible to beat -- also, it’s not like the new RAV4 is impractical or is overtly expensive to buy and maintain.

3. Chevrolet Silverado - 575,600 units sold

We all know that the American landscape has been ruled by pick-up trucks since time immemorial. Also, all of the automakers that occupy the top spot (especially when it comes to pick-up trucks) in the US of A are of American origin.

And one of the most cherished names in the business is General Motors and in this particular instance, the vehicle that occupies the third position on this coveted list is the all-new Chevrolet Silverado. Currently in its third iteration since the time it made its first appearance in the late 1990s, the latest Silverado has been on sale beginning sometime in 2013.

Built on GM’s K2XX architecture, the new Chevrolet Silverado hasn’t had the best sales record in 2019 -- a dip in sales of around 2 percent meant that Chevy’s cash cow dropped to number-three position when compared to the year prior. However, that being said, a bronze medal is still an impressive feat, and with well over half a million units sold, the Silverado doesn’t have much to worry about.

Prices for the Chevrolet Silverado begin from $28,300 for the base variant with two-wheel drive (2WD) and almost no fancy features to speak of, while the top-of-the-line High Country trim costs over 58,000 dollars (without options).

2. RAM Pickup - 633,694 units sold

Starting from $32,145, the all-new 2020 RAM Pickup series has been such a big hit with customers that it outsold the already-popular Chevy Silverado in 2019. The fourth generation of the RAM made its debut back in 2008, two years before RAM Trucks became its own brand.

Upon its recent facelift, the RAM Pickup series gained immense success and grew massively in its sales volume - pushing out 18 percent more units when compared to 2018. This incredible growth is what led this pick-up truck to rightfully earn its penultimate spot on this list. Of course, it has to be mentioned that the sales figure includes the whole RAM range of trucks - including 1500, 2500, 3500 etc.

Part of the success for the new RAM Pickup comes from its modern, stylish yet muscular design, good quality of interior materials & trim, new-age equipment and features, a comfortable cabin and a punchy line-up of engines. Interestingly enough, the RAM Pickup is more expensive than our next and final contender.

Speaking of which…

1. Ford F-Series - 896,526 units sold

If you haven’t already guessed it, the best-selling car of 2019 in the United States of America is none other than the Ford F-Series of pickups. Well, while the F-Series isn’t exactly a “car” in the traditional sense, it certainly wipes the floor with the aforementioned Toyota Corolla when it comes to the number of vehicles sold - a whopping 896,526, which is nearly 600,000 more units than what the latter could achieve in the same year.

In fact, the Ford F-Series sold well north of 260,000 units when compared to its nearest RAM rival. Clearly, the blue oval knows that it has an undisputed winner in its hands in the form of the F-Series; so the brand is careful so as to not disturb the balance (and insane success) that it has garnered.

In terms of its pricing, the new F-Series starts at $28,745 for the entry-level XL trim of the F-150. Meanwhile, the fantastically-capable and powerful Raptor series are priced from $53,455. However, the most expensive trim within the F-150 line-up is the Limited which costs $67,735.

Do note that while its immediate rivals (from Chevrolet and RAM) have been heavily revamped and modernized, the Ford F-Series continues as it is ever since its thirteenth-generation avatar was launched in 2014. But as you can see, that apparently hasn’t made a single dent in the ever-increasing sales of one of America’s best pick-up trucks.

Also read: 10 most affordable luxury cars