2021 Best Selling Small Luxury Cars In the United States (All Models Ranked)
In 2021, the small luxury car market in the U.S. continued to evolve, reflecting broader trends in both the luxury and automotive sectors. Over the years leading up to 2021, there was a noticeable trend of consumers preferring SUVs and crossovers over traditional sedans, even within the luxury segment. This led to decreased sales for many small luxury cars, while luxury compact SUVs experienced increased demand. Luxury brands increasingly introduced electric or electrified models, in line with global trends and stricter emission regulations. Brands like Tesla, Audi, Jaguar, and others offered electric models that competed both in the small luxury car segment and the SUV segment.
This all-electric sedan remained a strong player in the luxury segment. Its combination of performance, range, and tech features, along with Tesla’s brand appeal, made it a popular choice. A longtime stalwart of the small luxury car segment, the BMW 3 Series continued to be a top seller. It offered a blend of performance, luxury, and technology, appealing to both enthusiasts and luxury buyers. Another key player, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offered a refined interior, advanced tech, and a range of engine options.
The Audi A4 balanced performance with luxury, and Audi’s reputation for tech-forward interiors continued to make this a popular choice in the segment. Lexus’s entry in the small luxury sedan segment combined the brand’s reputation for reliability with a more aggressive design language introduced in recent years. Other notable contenders in the segment included the Genesis G70, Volvo S60, and Acura TLX, among others.
Here Are The Most Popular Small Luxury Cars in the U.S for 2021
This data table looks at full year Small Luxury Car sales volumes in the United States by model. We compare U.S market Small Luxury Car model sales for the full year versus the full year last year.
| Model | Month | Month LY | Change | YTD | YTD LY | YTD Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 2-Series | 1,044 | 1,870 | -44.17 | 15,684 | 13,209 | 18.74 |
| BMW 3-Series | 4,031 | 4,905 | -17.82 | 49,458 | 39,290 | 25.88 |
| BMW 4-Series | 2,211 | 1,489 | 48.49 | 22,938 | 12,357 | 85.63 |
| Volvo 60-Series | 2,482 | 1,464 | 69.54 | 14,846 | 15,729 | -5.61 |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 409 | 1,388 | -70.53 | 8,108 | 15,333 | -47.12 |
| Audi A3 | 328 | 1,250 | -73.76 | 2,387 | 9,938 | -75.98 |
| Audi A4 | 579 | 1,549 | -62.62 | 16,263 | 18,342 | -11.33 |
| Audi A5 | 977 | 1,850 | -47.19 | 17,128 | 18,827 | -9.02 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 577 | 2,196 | -73.72 | 30,816 | 25,119 | 22.68 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | 514 | 978 | -47.44 | 6,823 | 11,644 | -41.40 |
| Cadillac CT4 | 465 | 1,049 | -55.67 | 7,254 | 4,888 | 48.40 |
| Cadillac CT5 | 603 | 1,980 | -69.55 | 9,448 | 14,712 | -35.78 |
| Audi e-Tron Sportback | 128 | 0 | 0.00 | 505 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Genesis G70 | 681 | 803 | -15.19 | 10,718 | 9,436 | 13.59 |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 507 | 987 | -48.63 | 7,635 | 8,204 | -6.94 |
| BMW i3 | 66 | 247 | -73.28 | 1,476 | 1,502 | -1.73 |
| Lexus IS | 1,393 | 2,289 | -39.14 | 21,998 | 13,600 | 61.75 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 11,233 | 16,578 | -32.24 | 121,610 | 206,500 | -41.11 |
| Infiniti Q50 | 837 | 1,329 | -37.02 | 13,894 | 16,533 | -15.96 |
| Infiniti Q60 | 175 | 195 | -10.26 | 2,729 | 2,793 | -2.29 |
| Lexus RC | 94 | 416 | -77.40 | 2,987 | 3,808 | -21.56 |
| Acura TLX | 653 | 2,285 | -71.42 | 26,100 | 21,785 | 19.81 |
| Jaguar XE | 33 | 154 | -78.57 | 270 | 1,686 | -83.99 |
| ∑ = 30,020 | ∑ = 47,251 | ∑ = 411,075 | ∑ = 485,235 |
2021 New Small Luxury Car Sales Data by Month in the U.S
This sales data table looks at monthly sales performance for the Small Luxury Car segment in the United States on a month to month basis for the entire year. It includes all major Small Luxury Car models sold in the U.S market and you can see that the monthly Small Luxury Car sales trends clearly. Seeing the individual Small Luxury Car model sales performance in this way gives you a good sense of the momentum (good or bad).
