A shift in the green car buyer base from wealthy early adopters to more frugal, practical shoppers gave hybrids new life. This new swath of buyers was not ready to make the jump to a fully electric car, said Ivan Drury, an automotive analyst for the car-shopping website Edmunds.
"Hybrids this year became an extremely easy default decision for someone who doesn't want to go full electric but wants basically 70% or 80% of benefits," Drury said in an interview. "These cars come with almost none of the extra costs or hassle in the sense that disrupting your lifestyle."
The popularity of these models is reflected in the top 10 best sellers, according to data provided by Edmunds. The top three — Ford's F-150 pickup truck, Toyota's RAV4 SUV, and Honda's CR-V — all have hybrid options that did especially well this year.
For example, about half of all RAV4 and CR-V sales are hybrids, according to Edmunds. Meanwhile, Ford has lauded the success of the F-150 hybrid this year as these vehicles make up more of the Blue Oval's sales.
Vehicle affordability also greatly influenced the popularity of hybrids this year, with models like the Honda Civic gaining in popularity.
"Customers recognized that this is a proven technology that the most trusted car companies have already been making," Drury said. "It's a win-win for anyone wary of EVs and shut out by higher interest rates this year."
1. Ford F-150
2024 Ford F-150 Platinum
Ford Motor Co
The No. 1 spot is never a question. For the 47th consecutive year, the F-150 pickup truck is the top-selling car in America.
Ford has leaned heavily into hybrid demand this year, and the F-150 is no exception. Due to the popularity of the Pro-Power Onboard feature, which turns your hybrid into a mobile generator, the company has said that about 20% of buyers choose the hybrid version.
2. Toyota RAV4
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE
Toyota
Toyota has sold more than 430,000 RAV4s so far in 2024, about half of which are hybrids.
An early leader in hybrid technology, Toyota has been proven right this year in its bet on these partially electrified cars.
3. Honda CR-V
2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring
Honda
The Honda CR-V, which also has a highly popular hybrid option, moved up one spot this year, knocking Chevrolet's pickup truck out of the top three.
4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
A Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Cheverolet
Chevrolet's profit-driving Silverado 1500 pickup truck is still a highly popular car, commanding 2.5% of the US market in 2024.
Chevrolet also released a fully electric version of the Silverado 1500 this year, but it does not currently sell a hybrid model. GM had previously planned to skip hybrid models in North America but reversed those plans earlier this year.
5. Tesla Model Y
A Tesla Model Y on display in a showroom.
picture alliance/Getty
Tesla's most popular car rounds out this year's top five, with an estimated 336,833 units sold so far this year.
Tesla had a tough year as the EV market faced upheaval, and price cuts alone weren't enough to stoke demand. The affordable Model Y bucks this trend, and Tesla investors are hopeful more affordable models will carry Elon Musk's automaker through the coming years.
6. Toyota Corolla
2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Toyota
Much has been made of the dying sedan segment, but Toyota and Honda continue to find success with these reliable vehicles.
The Toyota Corolla still accounts for more than 2% of the entire US market, proving a continued interest in affordable models, Drury said.
7. Toyota Camry
The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Toyota's Camry went exclusively hybrid for the 2025 model year. It also comes in a hatchback body style, which helps bolster the nameplate's popularity.
8. Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue SL.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The Nissan Rogue is an outlier on the list as one of the only SUVs without a hybrid option.
The 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Hybrid.
Honda
The Honda Civic jumped seven spots this year to eke its way into the top 10. The rise of this reliable sedan, with a starting price below $30,000, is a good example of car shoppers' shifting preferences in 2024, according to Drury.
10. Chevrolet Equinox
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV in Radiant Red Tintcoat.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The Chevrolet Equinox also jumped a few spots this year to make its way into the top 10. Starting at $28,600, this Chevy crossover sold about 206,100 units this year to capture 1.4% of the US market.
Chevrolet recognizes the popularity of this nameplate, choosing it as one of the first to electrify in 2024.
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