The Fastest-Selling New and Used Cars

The fastest-selling new cars are mainly SUVs that recently debuted for the 2020 or 2021 model years, while the fastest-selling used cars include three Tesla models led by the Model 3, according to a recent analysis from iSeeCars.com. Additionally, the days to sell for new cars increased by 67.3 percent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, while that of used cars increased by 37.5 percent. 

Analyzing over 4.4 million new and used cars sold from March through June 2020, iSeeCars.com found that overall, the average new car takes 96.9 days to sell compared to 57.8 days during the pre-COVID timeframe of November 2019 through February 2020 (from analysis of another set of 4.8 million new and used cars). For used cars, the average time to sell for March through June is 68.9 days compared to 50.1 days pre-COVID.

“The effective demand for these vehicles has slowed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and downturns in the economy, but the change was much more dramatic for new vehicles than for used vehicles,” said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly. 

While both new and used vehicles are taking longer to sell, certain vehicles sell much quicker than average. “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, they were produced in limited quantities, or that they are new models that aren’t yet abundant in the used car marketplace,” said Ly.

Fastest-Selling New Cars

The subcompact Buick Encore GX, which shares a platform with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and debuted for the 2020 model year, ranks eleventh. It positions itself as a premium subcompact crossover, while the Trailblazer is marketed as a sporty vehicle for outdoor enthusiasts. General Motors entered the second quarter of 2020 with lean inventory of its vehicles, and the Encore GX proved to be a popular seller, providing more cargo and passenger room than the brand’s top-selling Encore model with more powerful engine choices at a comparable price. 

Two Kias earn the second and third spots: the Telluride and the Seltos respectively. New for the 2020 model year, the Kia Telluride created a lot of buzz after earning ‘Best in Show’ at the 2019 North American International Auto Show and has been in high demand since its debut. Production for the popular model shut down in April 2020 as a result of the coronavirus, and despite increased shifts of production when its plant reopened in May, its demand is still outstripping supply. The Telluride, which appeals to budget-minded shoppers and luxury buyers alike, remains so popular that dealers are able to sell the vehicle for more than its sticker price.

The Kia Seltos is the automaker’s newest model, with its 2021 model year version debuting in February 2020. The practical subcompact SUV shares many style elements with the Telluride, and distinguishes itself from other subcompacts by offering more cargo and passenger space as well as offering AWD on its base trim. “The popularity of the subcompact vehicle segment due to its practicality and versatility as well as the rising acclaim for Kia SUVs likely contribute to the Seltos being a quick seller,” said Ly.

Also making the list is the fifth-ranked Hyundai Palisade that shares the same manufacturer as well as the same underpinnings as the Kia Telluride. Debuting in 2019 for the 2020 model year, the popular vehicle appears less rugged than the Telluride while offering some additional family-friendly features such as power folding rear seats.

Two compact hybrids make the list, the fourth-ranked Honda CR-V Hybrid and the eighth-ranked Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. New for 2020 with a debut in March, the Honda CR-V Hybrid is a more efficient version of its top-selling compact SUV. “Honda reported lean inventory levels because most of its vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in North America and were affected by plant shutdowns,” said Ly. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is priced less than $1,000 less than its gasoline equivalent, and this hybrid version of America’s most popular SUV had waiting lists of up to four months in 2019 showing that it is an in-demand vehicle. 

Ranked sixth is the Mercedes-Benz GLB subcompact SUV, which is brand new for the 2020 model year. It was designed to be more practical than the popular Mercedes GLA subcompact SUV and offers more cargo space as well as an optional third row. It has a low starting price for the Mercedes brand, making it an attractive entry-level luxury SUV.

The Chevrolet Bolt ranks seventh and stands out as the only non-SUV vehicle on the list. The Bolt features important updates for 2020 including an increased driving range and upgraded technology packages.  “Chevrolet has been aggressively marketing and discounting the Bolt with savings of up to $8,500 off MSRP, which likely helped boost sales,” said Ly. 

Two Subarus make the list: the ninth-ranked Crosstrek and the twelfth-ranked Forester. “Subaru typically keeps its inventory low, and the shutdown of the Japan plant where these models are manufactured has led to a short supply of these popular vehicles,” said Ly.

Rounding out the list is the tenth-ranked Lexus GX 460, which received its biggest update in 10 years for the 2020 model year. The popular SUV is the most rugged SUV in the Lexus lineup and the 2020 model offers an Off-Road package to appeal to adventurous luxury buyers.

Fastest-Selling Used Cars

The Tesla Model 3 is joined by two additional Tesla vehicles: the sixth-ranked Tesla Model X and the tenth-ranked Tesla Model S. The Model X is relatively new to the used car marketplace as deliveries began at the end of 2015, so there isn’t an abundant supply. The Tesla Model S is also in demand due to its competitive pricing after losing some of its market share to the more affordable Model 3. All used Teslas are attractive buys thanks in part to over-the-air software updates, which help keep the vehicles current.

Ranked second is the BMW X6 midsize SUV. The BMW X6 is a midsize SUV with coupe-like styling, so it appeals to both SUV and sports car buyers. It also is one of the highest depreciating SUVs, which means that used versions have significant discounts over their new car prices. 

Ranked third is the Subaru BRZ sports car. The Subaru BRZ is produced in low volume and appeals to a niche audience, so there isn’t a high supply of used models of the affordable sports car.

The Toyota Yaris subcompact car ranks fourth. As a subcompact vehicle, the Yaris has a low starting price and appeals to buyers who want an affordable vehicle with Toyota’s reputation for reliability.

Two popular Hondas make the list: the Honda Civic and the Honda Accord. “These vehicles consistently earn high reliability rankings and are among the best-selling new cars in the nation, which explains why they are popular used,” said Ly.

Ranked seventh is the INFINITI Q60 sedan. “The sporty two-door coupe is known for its powerful engine, and is likely popular for buyers who want to enter the luxury sports car segment,” said Ly.

Rounding out the list is the Toyota Corolla Hatchback, which ranks ninth. The Toyota Corolla Hatchback, which provides more cargo room than the popular sedan, debuted for the 2019 model year, so used models are in short supply. 

Fastest-Selling Used SUVs

Two subcompact SUVs make the list including the third-ranked Honda HR-V and the fourth-ranked Toyota CH-R. “The subcompact SUV segment was the fastest-growing segment in the first half of 2020, and these versatile vehicles are popular with consumers who want to enter the SUV market as well as with those who want to downsize to a more practical vehicle,” said Ly. “The Honda HR-V has been growing in sales since it was introduced in 2016 thanks to its reliability and fuel efficiency, and the CH-R was just introduced for the 2018 model year, so used versions are not yet very plentiful in the used car market.” Another small SUV, the compact Mazda CX-5 makes the list in seventh. The Mazda CX-5 is a popular used car due to its performance and stylish exterior styling.

Two luxury midsize SUVs make the list: the fifth-ranked BMW X5 and the tenth-ranked Lexus GX 460. The BMW X5 is among the highest-rated SUVs in its class, and there are a high number of off-lease versions available with competitive pricing because it is a commonly leased vehicle. The Lexus GX 460, which also appeared on the list of the overall fastest-selling new cars, is a reliable vehicle that appeals to luxury buyers who want a rugged off-road SUV.

Ranked sixth is the Subaru Ascent, which is Subaru’s largest SUV. It debuted in 2019, so there is not a high supply of used versions.

Rounding out the list are two Toyota midsize SUVs: the eighth-ranked Toyota Highlander and the ninth-ranked Toyota 4Runner. “Both vehicles are popular and reliable three-row SUVs, and the Highlander crossover appeals to more practical buyers while the truck-based 4Runner is more rugged.”

Fastest-Selling Pickup Trucks

The Honda Ridgeline ranks second for the fastest-selling new pickup truck and is the fastest-selling used pickup truck. “The Ridgeline saw growth in new car sales in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 2019, and its increase in popularity and Honda’s lean inventory contribute to its being a fast seller,” said Ly.  

The GMC Sierra 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 rank third and fourth respectively as the fastest-selling new trucks. These General Motors trucks had inventory shortages as a result of plant shutdowns, and supply was unable to catch up with the demand for these vehicles.

Fastest-Selling Sports Cars

Two Dodge models make the fast-selling new sports car list: the second-ranked Dodge Charger and the fourth-ranked Dodge Challenger. The consummate American muscle car, the Dodge Charger continued to see sales growth in 2019, despite the overall decline of the large sedan segment. The Challenger’s higher-performance variants, the Demon and the Hellcat have helped boost the car’s popularity, as has its all-wheel-drive option which makes it the only American muscle car to have that capability.

The third fastest-selling new sports car is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF hardtop convertible, which debuted in 2017. It is a popular variant of the beloved sports car, which saw a 25 percent sales growth in June 2020 compared to the previous year.

Fastest-Selling Electric Vehicles

The Hyundai Ioniq EV ranks second. “The Hyundai Ioniq EV increased its range and horsepower for 2020, and is one of the most affordable vehicles in the segment to make it a popular choice for an electric vehicle,” said Ly.

Fastest-Selling Hybrid Vehicles

The fastest-selling used hybrid is the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which is known for its fuel-efficiency and sporty styling. “Used versions of the Ford Fusion Hybrid come with deep discounts, with some even costing less than the gasoline version,” said Ly.

Fastest-Selling Brands 

Tesla is the brand with the fastest-selling used cars. “Tesla vehicles are in high demand, especially the newer Model 3 and Model X, which are not in high supply in the used car marketplace,” said Ly.

“The number of days a new car remains in the marketplace provides an indication of the demand for the vehicle,” said Ly. “A quick selling time could be because of buzz surrounding a new model, because a vehicle has an established reputation of being popular with consumers, or in today’s marketplace because of production shutdowns in the wake of the pandemic.” 

Slowest-Selling New Vehicles

Ranked third is the Buick Encore, which saw a drastic drop in sales of more than 40 percent in the first quarter of 2020. “Given the popularity of the Buick Encore GX, which is among the fastest sellers, it suggests that consumers are favoring the Encore GX and buying it instead of the Encore,” said Ly.

Three Nissans make the list to include the Nissan Frontier pickup, the Nissan Altima sedan, and the Nissan Armada SUV. Also making the list is the INFINITI QX60 SUV, which is made by the automaker’s luxury extension. “Nissan has been struggling with sales in the U.S. due largely in part to its aging vehicle lineup,” noted Ly.

Slowest-Selling Used Vehicles

Two mainstream vehicles make the list of predominantly luxury cars including the fifth-ranked Kia Cadenza and the tenth-ranked Ford Ecosport. “The Kia Cadenza is a critically acclaimed large sedan, but it’s slow selling time is a testament to the declining popularity of large sedans,” said Ly. “The Ford Ecosport subcompact SUV isn’t as popular as its competitors, but it is an affordable vehicle for consumers who want to enter the SUV segment,” said Ly.

Fastest-Selling Cars By Metro Area

Slowest-Selling New Cars by Metro Area

iSeeCars analyzed the data geographically to find the slowest-selling new cars in the top 25 populous metro areas.

“The number of days a new car remains in the marketplace provides an indication of the demand for the vehicle,” said Ly. “A quick selling time could be because of buzz surrounding a new model, because a vehicle has an established reputation of being popular with consumers, or in today’s marketplace because of production shutdowns in the wake of the pandemic.” 

Methodology

iSeeCars.com analyzed over 4.8 million car sales (model years 2019-2021 for new cars; model years 2015-2019 for used cars) from November 2019 through February 2020 and another set of 4.4 million car sales (same model years) from March through June 2020. Sales made between November 2019 and February 2020 were considered sold during a pre-COVID period; the study focused largely on sales made between March and June 2020. 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 2020 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 $238 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.