Best-Selling Cars in the U.S. Over The Past 40 Years

Americans love their cars. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, around 90 percent of all households have access to at least one vehicle,1 and with around 276 million registered vehicles in the country, the U.S. is one of the largest auto markets in the world2.

In the United States, trucks outsold non-luxury passenger cars for the first time in 20203 — and that trend will probably continue, since drivers are opting for SUVs, crossovers, and pickups over the traditional sedan. It’s the end of an era, so to mark the occasion, let’s look back at the bestselling passenger cars from the last four decades.

The Top Selling Cars for Each Year

These sales figures come from Car and Driver4, and the list doesn’t include sales of trucks and SUVs. We’ll also give a bit of information about each new entry to the list.

1980: Oldsmobile Cutlass – 469,573 Cars Sold

1981: Oldsmobile Cutlass – 454,188 Cars Sold

Introduced as an entry-level model, the Oldsmobile Cutlass quickly gained a reputation in the mid-tier market. The fifth-generation Cutlass boasted a quiet ride, and drivers could choose from a range of engine options from GM’s various divisions. The model’s popularity peaked in the early 80s, and General Motors discontinued the range in 1999.

1982: Ford Escort – 337,667 Cars Sold

With a low base price and a redesigned body, the 1982 Escort overtook the Cutlass during the 1982 recession. It featured a 1.6L CVH engine and was available as a hatchback 5— an appealing option for budget-minded families of the era.

1983: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme – 331,179 Cars Sold

The 1983 Cutlass Supreme was billed as a luxury option at the higher end of the Cutlass range. It offered V6 and V8 engine options, and General Motors marketed it as “stylish, sensible and smart … by design6.” Buyers agreed.

1984: Chevrolet Cavalier – 383,752 Cars Sold

1985: Chevrolet Cavalier – 422,927 Cars Sold

A small, fun car with four different body styles, the Chevrolet Cavalier took pole position in 1984 and held its best-selling status for another year. It remained one of Chevy’s best-selling cars through the 1990s, and the company continues to market new Cavalier models outside of the United States.7

1986: Chevrolet Celebrity – 408,946 Cars Sold

The short-lived Chevrolet Celebrity was offered with three engines (a 2.5L four-cylinder, a 2.8L V6, and a 4.3L diesel V8). Marketing materials for the Celebrity focused on its smooth handling and luxury; one especially poetic ad noted “the way it carves a line through curves and dips … the way it soars through a tunnel of trees.”8 While the Celebrity sold well initially, it was discontinued in favor of the Chevrolet Lumina after 1987.

1987: Ford Escort – 392,360 Cars Sold

1988: Ford Escort – 381,330 Cars Sold

The second-generation Escort re-entered the bestseller list in 1987 thanks to new styling and a more powerful 1.9L base engine. In 1988, plastic bumpers replaced the iconic metal bumpers — but buyers were more impressed with the affordable price tag. The original base price was $6,8019 for the 1987 model

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1989: Honda Accord – 362,707 Cars Sold

1990: Honda Accord – 417,179 Cars Sold

1991: Honda Accord – 399,297 Cars Sold

The Accord was introduced in 1976, but the range became especially popular in the United States in the 1990s. That was largely due to the redesigned chassis and numerous engineering improvements. Available with up to 5 seats, the Accord was an affordable family sedan, and it became the first car sold under an import brand to become a bestseller in the US.10

1992: Ford Taurus – 409,751 Cars Sold

1993: Ford Taurus – 360,448 Cars Sold

1994: Ford Taurus – 397,037 Cars Sold

1995: Ford Taurus – 366,266 Cars Sold

1996: Ford Taurus – 401,049 Cars Sold

While the Accord was the best-selling car of 1991, the Taurus wasn’t far behind, and the second-generation Taurus took the mantle for the first half of the decade. The third-generation Taurus debuted in 1996, and was the last domestic-brand vehicle to hold the bestseller title.11

1997: Toyota Camry – 397,156 Cars Sold

1998: Toyota Camry – 429,575 Cars Sold

1999: Toyota Camry – 448,162 Cars Sold

2000: Toyota Camry – 422,961 Cars Sold

Originally available as a compact and a mid-size vehicle, the Toyota Camry gets its name for the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown.” Incidentally, the Camry replaced the Toyota Corona, and “corona" is the Spanish word for “crown.12"

The name proved appropriate, as the affordable-yet-dependable Camry has remained one of the best-selling vehicles over the past two decades.

2001: Honda Accord – 414,718 Cars Sold

The Honda Accord regained the bestseller title in 2001 prior to its seventh-generation redesign in 2002. Known for its reliability, the 2001 Accord had a spacious interior and comfortable seating13. However, the Camry regained its market position the following year.

2002: Toyota Camry – 434,135 Cars Sold

2003: Toyota Camry – 413,296 Cars Sold

2004: Toyota Camry – 426,990 Cars Sold

2005: Toyota Camry – 431,703 Cars Sold

2006: Toyota Camry – 448,445 Cars Sold

2007: Toyota Camry – 473,108 Cars Sold

2008: Toyota Camry – 436,617 Cars Sold

2009: Toyota Camry – 356,824 Cars Sold

2010: Toyota Camry – 327,804 Cars Sold

2011: Toyota Camry – 308,510 Cars Sold

2012: Toyota Camry – 404,886 Cars Sold

2017: Toyota Camry – 387,081 Cars Sold

2018: Toyota Camry - 343,439 Cars Sold

2019: Toyota Camry - 336,978 Cars Sold

2020: Toyota Camry - 294,348 Cars Sold

Since 2001, the Camry has cemented its position as the best-selling car in the United States. The market has turned sharply towards SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, but the Camry is a perennial bestseller for its practical-yet-fun approach.

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