Ranked

Ranked: 20 best-selling new cars in the U.S. in 2020

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Feb 9, 2020, 9:42 pm

Sedans are declining in popularity but automakers still offer a number of competitive options.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Despite what you've heard on TV, cars are actually still quite popular with the buying public. The top of the rankings is dominated by the usual suspects but further down the results are more interesting.

Below is a list of the best-selling cars through December 31, 2020. Many automakers report their sales results quarterly. These sales figures are final for the 2020 reporting year.

Click here to see 2019's best-selling new cars and here to see 2021's.

No. 20 - Subaru Impreza (43,628 sold)

2020 Subaru Impreza
Photo courtesy of Subaru of America, Inc.

The Subaru Impreza hasn't had any major changes to it since it was introduced in 2017 yet it remains a compelling choice for buyers seeking an all-wheel drive car. Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Impreza is also wallet-friendly.

No. 19 - Nissan Versa (48,273 sold)

Photo courtesy of Nissan North America

The Nissan Versa is the smallest car model in the automaker's U.S. lineup. It offers a lot of bang for your buck, which is what helps it win with buyers. On top of that, the new Versa is much more stylish than the last-generation model.

No. 18 - Kia Optima (48,484 sold)

2020 Kia Optima

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

The 2020 is the last model year in the current generation Kia Optima. Despite being a little long in the tooth, the 2020 Optima delivers for customers offering a smooth ride, a well-designed cabin with premium appointments in high trim levels, and an easy-to-use infotainment system.

No. 17 - Dodge Challenger (52,955 sold)

2020 Dodge Challenger

Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

The Dodge Challenger hasn't been changed significantly in a decade but Dodge continues to push the envelope with performance, introduce new variants, and updated the car's infotainment system.

No. 16 - Ford Mustang (61,090 sold)

2020 Ford Mustang

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The 2020 model year is all about fine tuning the Ford Mustang. Buyers can now opt for a High Performance or EcoBoost Handling package. There's also a new Shelby GT500 model that gets buyers a free track day at a NASCAR speedway with purchase. Now, all Mustangs come standard with FordPass Connect.

No. 15 - Kia Soul (71,862 sold)

2020 Kia Soul
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

Kia has completely redesigned the Soul for the 2020 model year giving it ... more soul. Its funky exterior carries over to the interior where buyers can choose to turn the fun up a notch with various packages and high-tech features. The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo didn't win many hearts at AutomotiveMap, but the Soul's lower trim levels, powered by the standard non-turbo engine did.

No. 14 - Hyundai Sonata (76,997 sold)

2020 Hyundai Sonata

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai redesigned the Sonata for the 2020 model year. It's a completely new car with fresh angles and innovative tech, yet it keeps the same spacious seating and cargo space buyers have known and loved about the midsize car.

No. 13 - Dodge Charger (77,425 sold)

2020 Dodge Charger

Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

The Dodge Charger is available as an engaging daily driver, true muscle car, or hell on wheels (that's the Hellcat grade). It has comfortable seating for four adults, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and spacious seats.

No. 12 - Volkswagen Jetta (82,662 sold)

2020 Volkswagen Jetta

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

The Volkswagen Jetta was redesigned for the 2019 model year and has had a number of enhancements for 2020 including a standard Wi-Fi hot spot and available wireless charging. Still, the model just doesn't hold up in terms of drivability or interior materials compared to the other vehicles in its class, according to our review.

No. 11 - Kia Forte (84,997 sold)

2019 Kia Forte

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

Kia redesigned the Forte for the 2019 model year. It comes equipped with a long list of standard features, big trunk compared to other vehicles in its class, and spacious seats. It's also fuel efficient.

No. 10 - Nissan Sentra (94,646 sold)

2020 Nissan Sentra

Photo courtesy of Nissan North America

The Nissan Sentra has been completely redesigned for the 2020 model year, with its looks falling into line with the Versa and Altima. The new Sentra is a compelling choice with its high-tech features, comfortable seats, and easy-to-use infotainment system.

No. 9 - Chevrolet Malibu (102,651 sold)

2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Malibu is on its last legs. It will be discontinued after this model year, taking its fuel efficiency, easy-to-use infotainment system, and outdated appointments with it. The model does come standard with a long list of standard infotainment features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 8-inch infotainment screen.

No. 8 - Hyundai Elantra (105,475 sold)

2020 Hyundai Elantra

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

The Elantra is Hyundai's most popular sedan. It's been heralded as being fuel efficient, available with a long list of features, and having a premium-level interior in its higher trim levels. The Elantra is also budget-friendly.

No. 7 - Ford Fusion (110,665 sold)

2020 Ford Fusion

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

American buyers can't quit the Ford Fusion, despite the long-running rumor that it's about to be killed off. The automaker has confirmed that the comfortable cruiser will live on through the 2021 model year, but isn't making any promises after that.

No. 6 - Nissan Altima (137,988 sold)

2020 Nissan Altima

Photo courtesy of Nissan North America

The Nissan Altima was completely redesigned for the 2019 model year and hasn't changed significantly since. Its looks are edgier and sharper than the previous generation, and it comes loaded with a long list of standard and available tech, making it more appealing to buyers. The Altima is still fuel efficient.

No. 5 - Honda Accord (199,458 sold)

2020 Honda Accord

Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc

The Honda Accord is near the top of every sedan shoppers wish list, and for good reason. It is a near-premium car in its top trim levels, fuel-efficient (especially as a hybrid), and comfortable. The Accord has an easy-to-use infotainment system and good legroom.

No. 4 - Tesla Model 3 (206,500 sold)

2020 Tesla Model 3 SR PlusPhoto by Chad Kirchner

The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling electric vehicle in the U.S. It is offered in a wide variety of ranges and can be equipped with a variety of packages to make it more exciting and plusher, depending on the buyer's taste and budget. AutomotiveMap recently spent three months in a Model 3 to find out if it's worth the money. Check out what we thought here.

No. 3 - Honda Civic (261,225 sold)

2020 Honda Civic

Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc

The Honda Civic remains a popular choice for buyers due to its numerous variations, from a competent daily driver to track-ready speedster. It's one of the few models on this list to come with an available manual transmission and coupe format.

No. 2 - Toyota Camry (294,348 sold) 

2020 Toyota Camry

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Toyota Camry reigns supreme for American buyers and it's easy to see why. Its looks are (finally) anything but mundane. The Camry's interior is plush and comfortable, and it comes loaded with a hist of standard safety and driver assistance features.

No. 1 - Toyota Corolla (304,850 sold)

2020 Toyota Corolla

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Corolla was redesigned for the 2020 model year and is now upgraded to fit nicely into Toyota's modern lineup. It can come loaded to the gills with high-tech features but its less premium models still don't feel like too much of a compromise. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is about as fuel efficient as the Prius.

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Limited-edition pickup truck

Ford offering limited edition colors for 2022 Ranger Splash

The Ranger Splash will be offered in three limited-run colors.

Ford

During its time off the market in the United States, the Ford Ranger remained a popular utility vehicle in global markets. In other markets, the truck is offered in unique special editions, such as the Ranger Raptor and Ranger Storm, but the options in the U.S. are limited. Last year, Ford announced the return of the Ranger Splash, a funky version of the truck that roamed the streets in the 1990s. Today, the automaker outlined another Splash edition, this time to be produced in limited quantities with special color options.

Ford will offer three colors for the new Ranger Splash Limited Edition: Snow Edition, Forest Edition, and Sand Edition. The colors will roll out one at a time "every few months," according to Ford, and the package will add $1,495 to the Ranger's price tag.

Ranger Splash Limited Edition The Snow Edition is based on the Lariat trim, but the other two are based on the lower XLT model.Ford

The Lariat Ranger Splash Snow Edition features a gray paint color with black exterior trim and a unique grille design. Inside, the truck carries ebony leather upholstery with ash gray accent stitching and carbon touches. Ford says it will produces just 750 Splash Snow Edition trucks, with availability starting in spring.

The XLT Ranger Splash Forest Edition (pictured above) comes with Forged Green exterior paint and red grille accents. The interior offers black cloth upholstery with ash gray accent stitching and carbon accents. Just 500 Forest Edition vehicles will be produced, with availability starting in summer.

Ranger Splash Limited Edition The colors will roll out every few months in 2022. Ford

The third and final truck in the series is the XLT Ranger Splash Sand Edition. It gets Desert Sand exterior paint, dark exterior accents and red grill "nostrils." It also gets black cloth upholstery with ash gray stitching and carbon accents. The Sand Edition will debut in fall with a run of only 500 trucks.

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New electric pickup

Will you be lining up for a Chevrolet Silverado EV?

Chevy recently dropped a load of specs and opened orders for the new Silverado EV.

Chevrolet

After months of teases and speculation, Chevrolet took the wraps off its 2024 Silverado EV pickup truck. The long-awaited electric truck lands with impressive range of up to 400 miles, plenty of power, and neat features that improve its ability to do "truck stuff." The $105,000 RST First Edition model sold out in 12 minutes, so we're here to ask the question: Would you line up to buy one?

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV It's all about the screens in the RST First Edition model. Chevrolet

Chevrolet will offer the truck in two trims at launch: A fleet-oriented WT (work truck) model and a consumer-friendly RST First Edition model. Chevy says it will eventually offer a fleet model with 20,000 pounds of max towing capacity. The WT model will launch first with 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, which adds up to a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds and 1,200 pounds of payload. The RST trim offers a Wide Open Watts (WOW) Mode that bumps power to 664 ponies and 780 pound-feet of torque, which is good for a 0-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds.

The RST model offers advanced features to make daily driving easier for the everyday buyer, including four-wheel steering, automatic adaptive air suspension, a 17-inch touchscreen and 11-inch gauge cluster, a 14-inch head-up display, and Super Cruise with trailering capability. An available onboard generator system can produce up to 10.2kW of power for equipment such as worksite power tools or campsite gear.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Preorders for the $105,000 RST First Edition sold out in just 12 minutes.Chevrolet

Both trucks come exclusively in crew cab format, and will offer an "eTrunk" where the engine bay would be in a traditional truck. The lockable, weatherproof compartment can carry a large suitcase, and adds to the Silverado EV's already impressive interior storage. The RST's center console can swallow more than seven gallons of gear, which is large enough to hold a small lunch cooler, according to Chevy. RST models are also available with GM's excellent Multi-Flex tailgate, but there's a new feature for the electric truck that its gas-powered counterparts don't get: A Multi-Flex Midgate that opens the space between the cab and bed for carrying longer cargo. Using the function won't interfere with use of the back seat, either, so the truck will still carry at least four people.

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