The Fastest-Selling New and Used Cars in January

• The top 20 list of fastest-selling new vehicles is led by the Chevrolet Corvette and consists of a mix of vehicle types with an average price of $41,982
• SUVs make up 14 of the top 20 fastest-selling new vehicles 
• The fastest-selling used car is the Hyundai Palisade, and the top 20 list is dominated by SUVs and luxury vehicles
• Slowest-selling vehicles are lower-priced models such as compact cars and SUVs, vehicles that were discontinued for the 2021 model year

The latest iSeeCars analysis found that the fastest-selling new cars during the month of January were mainly SUVs split between luxury and mainstream models, while the fastest-selling used cars are mainly expensive cars including mainstream and luxury SUVs as well as sports cars. 

Analyzing over 1.2 million new and used cars sold in January 2021, iSeeCars.com found that overall, the average new car takes 46.2 days to sell and the average used car takes 38.9 days to sell. Some cars sell much faster than average, with the fastest-selling new car selling more than four times quicker and the fastest-selling used car selling almost 1.5 times faster. 

“Many of these fastest-selling vehicles are luxury vehicles and expensive SUVs, which suggests that most of the consumers who are buying new cars can afford these price points and aren’t experiencing a negative financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “Additionally, lower interest rates are making luxury cars more attainable to consumers who may not have been able to afford them otherwise.” 

Fastest-Selling New Cars

Ranked second is the Lexus IS 350 small luxury sedan, which is the performance version of the eleventh-ranked Lexus IS 300. “The Lexus IS was updated for 2021, and the vehicle has had significant lease offers and finance incentives since it debuted,” said Brauer.

Three additional Lexus models make the list including the fourth-ranked Lexus RX 450h, the seventh-ranked Lexus LX 570, and the thirteenth-ranked Lexus GX 460. “The Lexus RX 450h midsize SUV is the hybrid version of the brand’s most popular model, and a limited number of models were released as part of the brand’s Black Line Special Edition series,” said Brauer. “The Lexus LX 570 full-size off-road vehicle, which has an average price of $98,195, saw an 18% increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to 2019 likely because the iconic vehicle is being discontinued at the end of the 2021 model year. Another off-road SUV, the Lexus GX 460 saw a 10 percent increase in sales in 2020 over 2019 due to its redesign, and that sales momentum has carried into 2021.”

Two Genesis vehicles make the list, the third-ranked Genesis GV80 midsize SUV and the Genesis G80 midsize car. “The Genesis GV80 is a brand new model that debuted to high praise, while the compelling Genesis G80 was redesigned for 2021,” said Brauer. “Genesis is the newest luxury brand and it is steadily gaining popularity in the marketplace due to its highly-acclaimed vehicles that offer competitive pricing.”

The Kia Telluride midsize SUV ranks fifth. “Kia has had trouble keeping up with the demand for this vehicle since it entered the market, and the supply constraints from the pandemic made it even more difficult for dealers to keep it in stock,” said Brauer. “The Telluride was named the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the YearTM by the distinguished North American Car of the Year jury (NACTOY), and even with increased production to meet its growing demand it will continue to be a hot seller.” 

Ranked fourteenth is the Ford Bronco Sport, which is brand new for the 2021 model year. “The demand for the Ford Bronco Sport exceeded expectations, with many buyers choosing the vehicle because they don’t want to wait for the delayed and even more anticipated Ford Bronco that is set to debut this summer,” said Brauer. “Dealers are selling Bronco Sports soon after they are delivered, and there is a four-week delay for certain features like the power moonroof due to a supply chain issue.” 

Toyota accounts for the most vehicles on the list with six including the eighth-ranked Toyota Sienna minivan, the ninth-ranked Toyota Tacoma, the tenth-ranked Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the fifteenth-ranked Toyota 4Runner, the sixteenth-ranked Toyota RAV4, and the nineteenth-ranked Toyota CH-R. “The Toyota Sienna minivan received a long-overdue update for 2021 including a hybrid powertrain and sleeker design. A second hybrid, the RAV4 Hybrid, was Toyota’s best-selling hybrid vehicle in 2020 and dealers have struggled to keep up with its demand since its debut,” said Brauer. “The Toyota Tacoma was hard to find in 2020 due to production constraints, which added to pent-up demand for the already-popular truck for 2021. Toyota practices lean inventory techniques and doesn’t produce excess inventory, which along with its popularity due to its reliability and strong resale value, contributes to the automaker’s rapid vehicle turnover.”

Three additional luxury SUVs make the list including sixth-ranked full-size Mercedes-Benz GLS, the seventeenth-ranked midsize Mercedes-Benz GLE, and the eighteenth-ranked subcompact Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. “These three luxury SUVs were fully redesigned in 2020 and represent the popularity of luxury SUVs.” 

Rounding out the list is the Subaru Forester. “The Forester is Subaru’s best-selling model, and similar to Toyota, Subaru keeps its inventory low, contributing to quick selling times,” said Brauer.

Fastest-Selling Used Cars

Eight luxury SUVs make the list including the second-ranked Lexus NX 300, the fourth-ranked Lexus RX 450h, the fifth-ranked Lexus LX570, the ninth-ranked Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the fourteenth-ranked Land Rover Range Rover Velar, the fifteenth-ranked BMW X6, the eighteenth-ranked Lexus RX 350, and the twentieth-ranked Tesla Model X. “Luxury SUVs are a popular vehicle segment as people who aren’t financially impacted by the pandemic are making big-ticket purchases with the money they’re saving from reduced travel and entertainment,” said Brauer.  

The Tesla Model X stands out as the only electric luxury SUV on the list. “The Tesla Model X has seen solid demand since it was released in 2015, and its over-the-air updates keep it up-to-date, making used versions attractive buys,” said Brauer. 

Three sports cars make the list including the third-ranked Chevrolet Corvette, the tenth-ranked Porsche 911, and the eleventh-ranked Mazda MX-5 Miata. “While the Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the more affordable sports cars in the segment with an average used car price of $21,408, the Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche 911 are more expensive with average prices of $67,308 and $126,892 respectively,” said Brauer. “These are aspirational cars for many, and consumers are purchasing these vehicles as a source of joy in the midst of the pandemic, further adding to the demand of these already popular used vehicles.”

Two German luxury cars make the list, including the sixth-ranked midsize Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the sixteenth-ranked compact BMW 4 Series, which are convertibles. “More consumers are opting for luxury vehicles like luxury SUVs and sports cars, and convertibles are yet another example of this trend,” said Brauer. 

The Honda Insight hybrid ranks nineteenth. “The Honda Insight entered the marketplace in 2019 after a five-year hiatus, so there aren’t yet many used versions in the marketplace, which could drive up demand,” said Brauer.

Two Jeeps make the list including the thirteenth-ranked Jeep Compass and the seventeenth-ranked Jeep Wrangler. “The Compass is the cheapest car in the Jeep lineup, which appeals to buyers who want to own a Jeep for the first time, while the iconic Wrangler continues to be an in-demand vehicle,” said Brauer.

Rounding out the list is the eighth-ranked Toyota 4Runner. “The truck-based Toyota 4Runner appeals to SUV buyers who want a rugged SUV,” said Brauer.

Analysis of Best-Selling Cars

Most Popular Cars: New Vehicles

The average days to sell for the nation’s most popular cars ranges from 19.1 days to 72.1 days.

The slowest-selling popular car is the Nissan Altima, which takes 72.1 days to sell. “Although it’s still a top seller, the Nissan Altima isn’t in as high demand as the more popular Toyota Camry,” said Brauer. 

Most-Popular Cars: Used Vehicles

The average days to sell for the nation’s most popular cars ranges from 28.7 days to 50.5 days.

The popular cars that sell slower than average are all American vehicles and include three pickup trucks and two SUVs. “The Chevrolet Equinox and the Ford Escape are among the more affordable SUVs in their segments, which suggests that buyers are opting for more upscale alternatives,” said Brauer.

Slowest-Selling New Vehicles

Also making the list are four subcompact cars including the third-ranked Honda Fit, the sixth-ranked Mitsubishi Mirage G4, the eighth-ranked Kia Rio, and the tenth-ranked Nissan Versa, and one compact car, the ninth-ranked Hyundai Elantra GT. “The Honda Fit and the Hyundai Elantra GT were discontinued for the 2021 model year,” said Brauer. “The Kia Rio, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4, and the Nissan Versa are three of the lowest-priced cars on the market, appealing to an audience segment that is likely hard-hit by the pandemic.” 

Two subcompact SUVs also make the list including the fifth-ranked Chevrolet Trax and the seventh-ranked Ford EcoSport. “Chevrolet is cutting production of the Trax to keep up with demand for the new Trailblazer, while the Ford EcoSport does not measure up to its competition,” said Brauer. “Just as there isn’t a high demand for economy cars, lower-priced SUVs are also slow sellers.” 

Rounding out the list is the Kia Sedona minivan. “The Kia Sedona saw a sharp decrease in sales for 2020, and the aging minivan will see a redesign in 2022,” said Brauer.

Slowest-Selling Used Vehicles

Three additional American luxury SUVs make the list including the second-ranked Cadillac XT6, the sixth-ranked Lincoln Nautilus, and the seventh-ranked Buick Envision. “The Cadillac XT6 debuted in 2020, while the Lincoln Nautilus debuted in 2019,” said Brauer. “Both SUVs had typical ‘new model’ excitement when they debuted, yet that demand has waned since their launch as additional competitive models have entered the market .” 

Two Chevrolet SUVs make the list including the third-ranked Chevrolet Blazer midsize SUV and the fourth-ranked Chevrolet Trax subcompact SUV. “The Chevrolet Blazer tried to leverage a famous Chevy nameplate, but the current vehicle doesn’t live up to the Blazer’s iconic history, and the Chevrolet Trax has been upstaged by the newer, more appealing Chevrolet Trailblazer,” said Brauer.

Two luxury subcompact SUVs make the list including the eighth-ranked Volvo XC40 and the ninth-ranked BMW X2. “Although foreign luxury SUVs are fast-sellers in the new and used market, this suggests today’s buyers are more interested in larger SUVs,” said Brauer. 

Rounding out the list are the fifth-ranked Chevrolet Bolt EV and the tenth-ranked Volvo S60. “The Chevrolet Bolt has sold relatively well since it debuted in 2017, but supply has easily kept up with demand, allowing a percentage of used Bolts to languish on dealer lots,” said Brauer. “Meanwhile, the Volvo S60 is a quality luxury car, but cars, in general, are struggling for demand, and on the luxury side crossovers and SUVs are seeing much higher demand.” 

Fastest-Selling New and Used Cars By City 

The fastest-selling used car is a tie between the GMC Yukon XL and the Lexus NX 300, which are both the most popular used vehicle in three cities. “The Lexus NX 300 is a compact luxury SUV, while the GMC Yukon XL is a full-size SUV priced like a luxury vehicle, which further shows that expensive vehicles are currently the hottest sellers,” said Brauer.

“Car buyers who are interested in making a new or used car purchase might have difficulty finding the most in-demand vehicles, and may end up paying a premium for them in the used car marketplace,” said Brauer. “Many of these fastest-selling vehicles are popular cars that are hard to find for reasons such as the effect of the pandemic on supply chains, limited  production, or because they are new models that aren’t yet abundant in the used car marketplace.”

Methodology

iSeeCars.com analyzed over 1.2 million new and used car sales (model years 2016-2020 for used cars) from January 2021. The number of days that each car was listed for sale on iSeeCars.com was aggregated at the model level, and the average days on market for each was mathematically modeled. Heavy-duty vehicles, models no longer in production prior to the 2021 model year, and low-volume models were excluded from further analysis.

About iSeeCars.com

iSeeCars.com is a car search engine that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars VIN check reports. iSeeCars.com has saved users over $265 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.