The Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1966, quickly ascended to global acclaim, becoming the best-selling car worldwide by 1974. The 12th generation – unveiled as a pre-production model in early March 2018 – marked a significant step in its lineage, with the North American market witnessing the official unveiling of the Corolla Hatchback later that month. This innovative leap continues to reflect in its performance for Toyota sales.

The recent data shows a monthly sales number of 16,398 units, a 7.73% increase from last year, outperforming other models like the Highlander, Tundra, and Corolla Cross, according to market data site GoodCarBadCar for 2022. The Corolla remains a vital player in Toyota’s lineup, affirming its position among the top 10 best-selling cars and top five best-selling sedans in history.

Toyota Highlander overview and sales data

The 2023 Toyota Highlander L FWD is an entry-level marvel with a starting MSRP of $36,620, marking a competitive stance in the market. Its allure isn’t just in its price but the ensemble of standard features it brings to the table. It houses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, churning out 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. With an eight-person seating capacity and a tow rating of 5,000 pounds, it’s built for both family and utility.

The Trailer-Sway Control feature ensures a stable towing experience, amplifying its utility quotient. Additionally, it comes standard with both Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) and the Star Safety System.

Despite all it offers, sales data reveals a dip in the Highlander’s market performance, with average units sold per month dropping to 18,821 models from 22,949 models last year, indicating a change of -17.99%, and a year-to-date change of -17.51%. By far, the Highlander is among Toyota’s worst-performing models sales-wise.

A look at Toyota sales info for the Tundra overview and sales data

Toyota ushered in a fresh era for its Tundra pickup in 2022, marking the end of a 14-year stint without significant changes to the model. The revamp, rather subtle than dramatic, steers clear from the traditional big-pickup narrative, carving its own niche. A standout feature is its deviation from the optional V8 engine norm seen in the half-ton segment, offering solely a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine.

Depending on the model, the base engine’s horsepower hovers between 348 hp and 379 hp, while its hybrid counterpart packs a punch with 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. Every Tundra model is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with a choice between rear- or four-wheel drive, albeit without an automatic four-wheel drive system, a staple in domestic pickups.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra caters to a broad spectrum with its seven-tiered equipment range, meeting demands across worksites, businesses, off-road terrains, and suburban settings, with the latter often necessitating a refined interior. One of its notable features is a large 14.0-inch optional infotainment screen.

A significant upgrade in 2022 is the new coil-spring rear suspension, enhancing ride comfort compared to other trucks with leaf springs that tend to have a bouncier ride. Tundra’s towing capacity stands at a solid 12,000 pounds, albeit trailing behind rivals like Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, or Ford F-150. The market has responded well to the new Tundra, with sales figures climbing from 6,731 to 10,320 units sold monthly, translating to a 53.32% spike and a year-to-date surge of 43.74%.

How is the Toyota Corolla Cross performing?

Toyota unveiled the Corolla Cross in 2022, nestling it between the compact C-HR and the larger RAV4 in their SUV lineup, with a friendly starting price of $23,610. It encapsulates the essence of its sedan sibling, the Corolla, by offering an economical and reliable transportation solution. The significant update in 2023 comes with the introduction of a hybrid model; given that the Corolla Cross just made its debut last year, the other tweaks are minimal. 

One of its strong suits is the generous cargo space coupled with commendable fuel efficiency, making it a worthy contender in the subcompact SUV segment. The infotainment system is hailed for its simplicity and responsiveness. However, it hits a snag when it comes to performance, thanks to a somewhat tepid powertrain.

The sole engine offering, a 169 hp four-cylinder, fails to excite with only 151 lb-ft of torque, making accelerations and highway speeds less thrilling, more so with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that struggles with abrupt simulated gear shifts. 

Fuel economy is where it shines, boasting an EPA rating of 31/33 mpg city/highway and slightly less for all-wheel-drive models at 29/32 mpg. Despite the powertrain woes, the Corolla Cross witnessed a sales uptick to 5,240 units monthly, a substantial 64.06% growth, reflecting a positive market reception and a year-to-date growth of 34.24%.