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While the automotive industry went through a lot last year, 2022’s top-selling used cars were primarily SUVs. According to sales data, five of the top 10 most popular used cars last year were sport utility vehicles of varying sizes. This trend can be attributed to the increased demand for larger vehicles that accommodate families and provide more storage space. Additionally, SUVs offer more versatility and capability than sedans or trucks.

2022’s top-selling used cars include the Chevrolet Equinox SUV

2022's top-selling used cars include the Chevrolet Equinox seen here
A Chevrolet Equinox SUV | Stan Honda/AFP via Getty Images

You could say that iSeeCars did the math, looking at almost 10 million one to five-year-old cars driving around in 2022. While the top three spots were held by pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers dominated the rest of the list. With that said, sales of the Chevrolet Equinox SUV accounted for 2.2% of total used car sales last year. In 2021, the Chevy SUV was the seventh most popular used car, with 1.8% of sales.

While the Ford F-150 truck was the most popular used car in 31 states, the Chevrolet Equinox was up next as the most popular choice in six states. Drivers in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio bought more Equinox SUVs than anything else.

Top-selling used cars of 2022 include SUVs from Toyota and Nissan

In 2022, buyers demonstrated a strong preference for the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue SUVs. Of 2022’s top-selling used cars, the RAV4 and Rogue SUVs snagged 1.7% of sales each. In 2021, the RAV4 had the same amount of sales, but the Rogue was a bit higher at 1.9%. These SUVs proved popular among consumers with a combination of reliable performance, fuel efficiency, and advanced technology features.

“Buyers continue to prioritize the utility and flexibility offered by SUVs. Second only to full-size trucks, the compact crossovers have become the most sought after vehicle in the U.S., as reflected in our most popular list.”

Karl Brauer | iSeeCars Executive Analyst

Further down on the list of most popular used cars in 2022, the Ford Escape and Jeep Grand Cherokee still made the top 10. All the sport utility vehicles on the list have a reasonable starting price, ranging from $26,600 for the Equinox to $41,530 for the Grand Cherokee.

Beating out the SUVs, the most popular used trucks of 2022 were the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500. This is primarily due to the reputation of durability, reliability, and ability to meet the demands of a wide range of drivers. Sales of these three vehicles alone made up more than 8% of all used car sales last year.

2022’s top-selling used cars had a good mix of brands and sizes, but buyers went for affordable SUVs over anything else. Pickup trucks made up a lot of the sales, but are not suitable for all family vehicles. Similarly, sedans offer plenty of safety but not enough space. While there are more electric vehicles in the mix for 2023, it will be interesting to see how buyer’s preferences change over this year.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.