2018 sees SUVs really coming to the forefront with the RAV4, Rogue, Equinox, and CR-V staking their respective claims, but it’s the full-size trucks, the F-Series, Silverado, and Ram, that continue to duke it out in the top three.
Ford F-Series
2018 set a new watermark for the Ford F-Series, breaking the 900k mark with 909,330 total sales. A modest 1.40% growth over the previous year’s sales, but inching the brand ever closer to a million units sold.
The 2018 F-Series gets a whole range of safety tech upgrades. The adaptive cruise control can now bring the truck to a stop and the forward-collision-warning system can detect pedestrians, making the truck much safer to drive in populated areas.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado sold 585,582 units in 2018, roughly on par with the brand’s 2017 numbers, with the Ram Pickup hot on its heels.
Other than some minor cosmetic changes, the main difference in the 2018 Silverado is simply that the backup camera, previous locked behind the higher trim levels, is now standard. Not a huge change, but it helps to bring the truck into the modern age.
Ram Pickup
The Ram Pickup saw a fantastic year in 2018 with 536,980 units sold, a 7.24% growth, putting them in spitting distance to the number two spot.
Like the Silverado, the Ram now includes the backup camera as standard equipment on all trim levels. The pickup also gets an improved touchscreen, bumping the screen size up to 8.4 inches. They’ve also added Sirius Guardian, which offers a bunch of roadside assistance options.
Toyota RAV4
SUVs continue to climb the charts in 2018 with the Toyota RAV4 moving 427,168 unit by the end of December, roughly 20,000 more sales than the brand saw in 2017.
The RAV4 doesn’t see too many fundamental changes for 2018, but the new Adventure trim does give outdoorsy types reason to consider the SUV. Raised suspension, fender flares, all-weather floor mats, and a little extra leather in the interior put the sports-utility back into the sports-utility-vehicle.
Nissan Rogue
Nissan makes the top five for 2018, selling 412,110 Nissan Rogues, nearly 10,000 units more than the previous year.
Changes for the 2018 Nissan Rogue are mostly in the interface. Nissan have improved the car’s smartphone integration, and they added ProPILOT Assist in the SL Premium package, a pseudo-self-driving software suite that makes the car just a little safer out on the highway.
Honda CR-V
Honda failed to place in the top five in 2018, but comes up just shy with the Honda CR-V in sixth, selling 379,021 units, about a thousand more than they sold in 2017.
They made a few tweaks throughout the CR-V for 2018, but the one you’ll notice right away is the suspension. The 2017 CR-V’s suspension wasn’t exactly bad, but the 2018 edition creates a much smoother ride. The overhauled suspension sort of eases into corners so you won’t have your passengers rolling into each other.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry sees a sales dip for 2018, moving 343,439 units, around 40,000 fewer than they sold in 2017, but holding steady as the best selling car of the year.
The 2018 Camry comes with an improved 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower, an improvement of 25 horses over the 2017 edition. The car also gets a subtly redesigned chassis with the wheelbase stretched out a couple inches.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox shoots into the top ten for 2018 with a 14.52% sales jump to 332,621, jumping right past the 300k barrier. In the past few years, crossover SUVs have overtaken compacts and mid-sizes as the dominant sellers, and the Equinox has been a big part of that movement.
2018 marked the debut of the third generation for the Chevy Equinox. The overhaul was so dramatic that it’s almost a whole new car, offering a completely revamped lineup of engines (the same as you’ll find in that year’s Malibu), a modernized suite of safety features, and a completely reimagined body design.
Honda Civic
Sales for the iconic Honda Civic dropped 13.66% in 2018, but still manages to sell a commendable 325,760 units. They’ve had better years, but they’ve had worse years, too.
Not to be the bearers of boring news, but the 2018 was a placeholder year for the Honda Civic. You’re pretty much not going to find any noticeable changes between the 2017 and 2018 editions of the flagship compact. So if you’re shopping for a used Civic, pick whichever one is in better condition at a lower price.
Toyota Corolla
This was an excellent year for Toyota with three vehicles placing in the top three. The Toyota Corolla brings up the rear with 303,732 units sold. A 7.74% drop from the previous year, but nothing to sneeze at.
2018 brought about the twelfth generation for the Toyota Corolla, but this was more of an update than an overhaul. Toyota added a stylish hatchback body to the lineup, and even a station wagon model, the Corolla Touring Sports.
