What people say they want in a car and what they actually shop for aren’t always the same. To see where real demand lands, the team at CarGurus analyzed 1,000 ranked lead submissions from across the country, mapping out which vehicles are capturing attention right now.
The results reveal a market shaped by practicality, price sensitivity, and regional identity, with a few clear national throughlines.
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Pickup Trucks Define the American Market
Across all 50 states, one trend rises above everything else: the nationwide dominance of full-size pickup trucks. When we look at the 10 most in-demand vehicles in each state, four models, including three pickups, dominate the landscape:
- Ford F-150: 90 appearances
- RAM 1500: 85 appearances
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 83 appearances
- Jeep Wrangler: 69 appearances
Even when the top spot changes from state to state, these vehicles consistently show up near the top of the list. That consistency points to something deeper than brand loyalty: It reflects how drivers prioritize versatility, durability, and all-purpose utility.
In other words, the American vehicle market is still built around capability first.
Used Cars: Familiar Models Win on Value
Shoppers searching for used cars gravitate toward familiar, high-volume nameplates. With an average used vehicle price of $24,600, this segment reflects value-focused, budget-conscious demand.
The Ford F-150 dominates this category, ranking as the most popular used vehicle in 33 states. But these trucks do have some competition from dependable sedans like the Honda Accord, which maintains a strong regional foothold, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. These vehicles offer something the market consistently rewards: a balance of affordability, reliability, and resale confidence.
Overall, the used market is defined by stability. Shoppers aren’t experimenting — they’re doubling down on what’s already worked, with demand clustering tightly around dependable vehicles with established resale demand.
Most Popular Used Vehicles by State
| Vehicle Make and Model | Number of States | States |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 33 | Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Honda Accord | 8 | Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 4 | Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Maine |
| Dodge Charger | 1 | Oklahoma |
| Ford Focus | 1 | Michigan |
| Nissan Maxima | 1 | Pennsylvania |
| RAM 1500 | 1 | New Hampshire |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1 | Hawaii |
New Cars: Higher Prices, Broader Tastes
Facing an average list price of $63,100, buyers of new vehicles are operating with a completely different mindset. Instead of sticking to the familiar, they’re more willing to explore premium trims, specialty vehicles, and premium performance options.
That shift shows up clearly in the data. While trucks like the RAM 1500 and Ford F-150 still lead overall, demand is far more fragmented across states. In addition to core utility vehicles, shoppers are also gravitating toward:
- High-performance models like the Chevrolet Corvette
- Heavy-duty work trucks and specialty configurations
- Hybrid and plug-in options
- Niche vehicles that serve specific lifestyle needs
A few high-end outliers, including luxury and performance models, also push the average price upward, reinforcing just how wide the gap is between new and used buyer behavior.
Most Popular New Vehicles by State
| Vehicle Make and Model | Number of States | States |
|---|---|---|
| RAM 1500 | 9 | Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Ford F-150 | 7 | Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas |
| Toyota Tundra | 5 | California, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Virginia |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 4 | Alabama, Idaho, North Carolina, North Dakota |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 3 | Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 3 | Alaska, Louisiana, Oklahoma |
| Jeep Wrangler | 3 | Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey |
| RAM 2500 | 3 | Arkansas, Kansas, South Carolina |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 2 | Hawaii, South Dakota |
| Toyota Camry | 2 | Arizona, Colorado |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD | 1 | Maine |
| Ford Bronco | 1 | Nevada |
| Ford Bronco Raptor | 1 | Montana |
| Ford Escape | 1 | Missouri |
| Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-in | 1 | Nebraska |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty Chassis | 1 | Vermont |
| Ford Mustang | 1 | Mississippi |
| Ford Transit Cargo | 1 | Rhode Island |
| Toyota Sienna | 1 | Washington |
Finding the Best Vehicle for Your Needs
Trends can tell you what’s popular, but they don’t tell you what’s right for your specific needs.
The real takeaway from our analysis of 2025 vehicle shopping data is that the “best” vehicle isn’t universal. It depends on your budget, your priorities, and how you plan to use it day to day.
Ready to find the perfect fit for your needs? Our unbiased Deal Ratings can help you cut through the noise and evaluate millions of cars for sale to find the best vehicle for your budget and your lifestyle. Whether you need the proven utility of a used truck or the premium performance of a new sedan, shopping with CarGurus can give you the confidence to make the right choice.
