1 Surprising Large Luxury SUV Was the Best Seller Back in 2013
In the last 10 years, there have been a lot of changes in car, truck, and SUV designs. With that, the preferences of drivers have also changed a lot. Some of the most popular brands were Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Infiniti. Sport utility vehicles are still around and larger than ever, but is the most popular large luxury SUV still around?
What was the most popular large luxury SUV in 2013?
According to the sales figures on GoodCarBadCar, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class was the most popular large luxury SUV in 2013. With 29,912 units sold, the 2013 GL was exceptionally popular. This was one of the highest sales years for the model, only seeing better numbers in 2016 (30,442) and 2017 (32,248). Mercedes-Benz changed the name of the GL to the GLS in 2016, which could account for the bump in sales.
| Large Luxury SUV | 2013 Sales | 2022 Sales |
| BMW X7 | N/A | 30,705 |
| Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV/EXT | 22,514 | 40,250 |
| Infiniti QX56 / QX80 | 13,148 | 12,573 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | 12,221 | 12,999 |
| Lexus LX570 | 4,625 | 3,642 |
| Lincoln Navigator | 8,613 | 13,206 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 2,494 | 7,297 |
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 29,912 | 20,577 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 3,082 | 48 |
| Total | 96,609 | 147,663 |
The GL was popular because it had a third row and a luxurious interior. Drivers liked how comfortable it was, and Mercedes always had the latest technology before other similar brands. In addition, the GL-Class was more like a minivan in passenger and cargo capacity but in a more traditional SUV style. It came in four trim levels: GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC ($62,400), GL450 4MATIC ($63,900), GL550 4MATIC ($86,900), and GL63 AMG ($116,925).
These days, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is still a big seller for the company. Mercedes has many SUVs available throughout its lineup, and the G-Class is also popular among shoppers.
The Cadillac Escalade was one of the most popular large SUVs
The Cadillac Escalade, in all of its trim levels, was the second best-seller in 2013. The 2013 Escalade ESV and EXT were in the lineup back then, with the EXT having a truck bed option. Cadillac sold 22,514 units in 2013, which was even lower than the previous year. However, the Escalade was one of the best options on the market.
Drivers liked how large and luxurious the Escalade was in all its forms, but this wasn’t even the best sales year for the luxury SUV. The regular (not the ESV or EXT) Escalade sold 13,626 units alone. The other options sold almost as much to make up for the 22,514 total units. There were a variety of ways to configure the Escalade for 2013, with pricing ranging from $63,745 up to $83,070.
These days, the 2023 Escalade and Escalade V are still selling quite well. The Escalade sold 40,250 units last year, and the uber-powerful Escalade V appeals to another more niche audience. However, it seems to be more popular than ever as the best-selling large luxury SUV of 2022.
U.S. drivers still like luxurious full-size SUVs
Not much has changed in the way U.S. drivers select vehicles. Even in 2022 and 2023, these vehicles are still around and selling well. The best-selling large luxury SUV of 2022 is the Cadillac Escalade, followed by the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GL/GLS-Class. While the X7 is a new addition, the rest of the SUVs are still big sellers. Even though the Toyota Land Cruiser is discontinued, it still sold 48 units last year.
Large luxury SUVs are still favored by many drivers, even though there are many midsize options to choose from as well. Either way, drivers in the U.S. love SUVs of any type and tend to stay within that segment when selecting a new vehicle. It makes sense these sport utility vehicles are still popular among shoppers, especially for those who prefer luxury to a longer wheelbase.
