January 2013 Top 20 Best-Selling SUVs In America

Non-Police Explorer Sales Rose 46% In The U.S. In January 2013

After its best-ever 2012, the Honda CR-V stumbled early on in 2013, falling back to second spot on this list of America's 20 best-selling SUVs and crossovers. The Ford Escape, sales of which jumped 15.5% in January, took over the top spot, a position it battled for in 2012 but ultimately lost to the CR-V.

The CR-V was one of eight Japanese brand utility vehicles in the top 20 in January. None posted as sharp an increase as the 17th-ranked Nissan Pathfinder, sales of which tripled compared with January 2012. Nissan's Rogue was the eight-best-selling SUV in America in 2012 despite a 10% decline.

The eight Japanese brand utilities were joined by two Korean nameplates: the closely related Hyundai Santa Fe and stronger-selling Kia Sorento. Sales of both models improved noticeably in January, and the Sorento's transition to a similar-looking but substantially altered 2014 model should provide another boost. 

All 247 Vehicles Ranked By January 2013 Sales

That leaves the Escape and nine other Detroit brand SUVs. Three Jeeps, three Fords, two Chevrolets, one GMC, and one Dodge round out the group. Of the 20, only the CR-V and Rogue posted year-over-year declines. The Detroit utilities were led by the Escape, but on the improvement front, the Ford Explorer, GMC Terrain, and Dodge Journey led with 53%, 51%, and 93% improvements. 4.3%, or 653, of the Explorer's total was Police Interceptor-derived.

GCBC has already posted lists of America's 20 best-selling passenger cars and figures for every truck, best sellers and poor sellers alike. You can find historic monthly and yearly sales figures for the 20 top-selling SUVs in the table below and for every other vehicle on sale in America by accessing the dropdown menu at GCBC's Sales Stats home.

Rank	Best-Selling SUV	January 2013	% Change	Year To Date	YTD % Change
#1	Ford Escape	19,939	+ 15.5%	19,939	+ 15.5%
#2	Honda CR-V	17,809	- 6.1%	17,809	- 6.1%
#3	Chevrolet Equinox	17,223	+ 26.1%	17,223	+ 26.1%
#4	Ford Explorer	15,207	+ 52.6%	15,207	+ 52.6%
#5	Toyota RAV4	11,610	+ 18.2%	11,610	+ 18.2%
#6	Jeep Grand Cherokee	11,065	+ 3.6%	11,065	+ 3.6%
#7	Ford Edge	9614	+ 15.6%	9614	+ 15.6%
#8	Nissan Rogue	8951	- 9.6%	8951	- 9.6%
#9	Jeep Wrangler	8854	+ 12.1%	8854	+ 12.1%
#10	Toyota Highlander	8831	+ 28.8%	8831	+ 28.8%
#11	GMC Terrain	8550	+ 51.4%	8550	+ 51.4%
#12	Dodge Journey	8179	+ 93.5%	8179	+ 93.5%
#13	Kia Sorento	8005	+ 9.3%	7005	+ 9.3%
#14	Honda Pilot	7405	+ 16.3%	7405	+ 16.3%
#15	Chevrolet Traverse	6770	+ 2.0%	6770	+ 2.0%
#16	Subaru Forester	6565	+ 28.3%	6565	+ 28.3%
#17	Nissan Pathfinder	6281	+ 202%	6281	+ 202%
#18	Hyundai Santa Fe	5991	+ 24.3%	5991	+ 24.3%
#19	Lexus RX	5394	+ 7.1%	5394	+ 7.1%
#20	Jeep Patriot	5248	+ 32.3%	5248	+ 32.3%

Source: Manufacturers
Red font indicates year-over-year declining sales

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