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While Americans seem reluctant to make the switch to an electric vehicle, the rest of the world is getting all charged up. The Toyota RAV4 used to be the world’s most popular SUV, but it recently lost its crown to the Tesla Model Y. 

You wouldn’t expect the world’s most popular SUV to be electric, but the Tesla Model Y is here to prove everyone wrong. 

If you thought the most popular SUV might be the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, then you aren’t far off. The RAV4 was the best-selling SUV worldwide until the Model Y took its crown. 

The Model Y is officially the first electric vehicle to be the most popular option around the world. According to Jato Dynamics, the Model Y sold 1,223,000 models in 2023. 

The RAV4 landed in second place and moved 1,075,000 units and the CR-V came in third by selling 846,000 models.

Each SUV benefited from increased growth. The Tesla Model Y grew by 64%. The RAV4 got a 5% sales increase, and the CR-V is up by 18%. 

The 2023 Tesla Model Y on the road
2023 Tesla Model Y | Tesla

This is a surprising achievement because the Model Y has a lower demand in emerging markets. Meanwhile, the RAV4 and CR-V are popular in America, Europe, and Australia and offer lower-cost models for growth markets like India and Brazil. 

Emerging markets account for 22% of new vehicle sales. Also, in 2013 China sold more cars than United States brands. 

Options like the BYD Qin, Song Plus, and Sealion 6 could mean trouble for the Model Y. Also, Japan accounts for 29.1% of new vehicle sales, and European brands account for 24.9%

But will the Tesla Model Y continue its streak as the world’s most popular SUV? It’s due for a redesign, which typically causes delivery and production delays. People might be drawn to other vehicles as they wait for the new Model Y to arrive. 

Plus, things aren’t going so hot for Tesla models. They’re in a current sales slump as thousands of completed models fill up storage lots and mall parking lots. I can’t wait to see how 2024 plays out.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.