In 2025, the US car sales began on a positive note, with strong sales in pickup trucks and hybrid SUVs, yet economically affordable sedans still have a considerable audience.
Data shows that the new car sales in the US market in 2025 started steadily, with a 4% increase from 2024, reaching 3.9 million vehicles. Although the growth is mainly driven by pickup trucks and hybrid cars, consumers still have a great interest in some sedan brands.
“Car and Driver Magazine” carefully studied the data and compiled the 25 best-selling new cars in the United States as of the first quarter, with the majority being pickup trucks and SUVs. However, there are also five high-performance sedans on the list, including two Toyota sedans and one Tesla.
Here are the top five best-selling sedans so far this year.
The 2025 Camry has been newly launched in the US market, offering only a hybrid powertrain. Despite a 10% drop in sales at the beginning of the year, the Camry remains the best-selling sedan in the US, ranking 9th on the list of top-selling cars while its longtime rival, the Honda Accord, saw a 27% decrease in sales and landed at 35th place.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid may not seem like the most exciting choice, but it is widely popular for its affordability, spacious interior, and high fuel efficiency. The 2025 Camry has been completely redesigned inside and out, offering both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations in its hybrid model, with a maximum power of 232 horsepower. Although Toyota has not yet announced it, consumers may expect a more powerful plug-in hybrid Camry Prime.
The interior of the 2025 Camry model has been redesigned, equipped with more modern infotainment technology. The styling inspiration comes from the larger Crown sedan, but the Camry Hybrid remains a midsize car designed to challenge competitors like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.
The Civic saw only a 5% decrease in sales and performed well among the popular sedans. This compact sedan has been named in the “top ten cars” multiple times and introduced a new Civic Hybrid model in the 2025 lineup, with hybrid models accounting for 34% of Civic’s total first quarter sales. The Civic ranks 13th on the top-selling cars list.
The Civic compact sedan strikes a perfect balance between practicality, value for money, and driving enjoyment. The 2025 Civic has undergone styling adjustments, giving it a fresh look. The Civic Hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, delivering a total power of 200 horsepower and a combined fuel consumption of up to 49 miles per gallon. Currently, the non-hybrid model can only be fitted with a slightly less powerful 150-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but its impressive fuel efficiency leaves a lasting impression.
The Civic is available in sedan and hatchback body styles, providing agile handling and a balanced driving experience regardless of the choice.
Despite the official launch of the 2025 Civic, it faces competition from recently revamped models like the Hyundai Elantra, the stylish Toyota Prius, and its fierce rival, the Toyota Corolla.
Toyota’s smallest sedan saw an 8% drop in sales at the beginning of the year, trailing behind its long-term competitor, the Honda Civic, ranking 14th on the top-selling cars list.
For a long time, the Toyota Corolla has been an epitome of practical transportation, excelling not in driving pleasure but in efficiency and value. Toyota has been leveraging the Corolla brand’s popularity by first introducing the Corolla Cross (a pseudo-SUV) and most recently launching the limited edition GR Corolla.
Both the Corolla sedan and hatchback feature a reliable and smooth 169-horsepower inline-four engine and an automatic transmission. While performance may be somewhat lackluster, the Corolla embodies a blend of understated luxury and functionality. Sales data indicates that this appeal is effective, with buyers who seek a mere means of transportation likely never to be disappointed with the Corolla.
The Sentra, after a 40% sales growth in 2024, continued its upward trend. This compact sedan, starting at just $22,730, saw a 36% sales increase at the beginning of 2025. The Sentra ranks 16th on the top-selling cars list.
The Nissan Sentra is an affordable yet not cheap-looking car. It boasts an attractive exterior and a more upscale interior than one might imagine. Additionally, its unusually comfortable front seats set it apart among its class, and the spacious trunk space is highly practical. The Sentra’s highway fuel efficiency is also impressive.
It’s a great compact car, but competitors like the Mazda 3 and Honda Civic surpass the Sentra in driving pleasure, while the hybrid version of the Toyota Prius offers higher fuel efficiency. However, if price is the consumers’ top priority, the Nissan Sentra remains a solid choice.
The Tesla Model 3 ranks 22nd on the top-selling cars list. This car almost pioneered the compact electric sedan market and remains a highly attractive choice for electric car buyers. Tesla recently upgraded the Model 3 with the “Highland” package, improving the suspension system for a smoother ride and enhancing the interior materials. However, the infotainment system still lacks compatibility with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Nevertheless, the car’s speed remains as exhilarating as ever; the acceleration of the Performance model is particularly strong, with even the slowest Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range version capable of accelerating to 60 mph in under 4.6 seconds. The actual highway range falls slightly below the advertised figures, but still outperforms many other electric vehicles. Competitors include the BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Polestar 2.