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2021 U.S Small SUV Sales Figures (With Rankings)

Sales Figures & Rankings for Small SUVs Sold in the United States

2021 Best Selling Small SUVs In the United States (All Models Ranked)

In 2021, small SUVs, also known as compact or subcompact SUVs/crossovers, continued their surge in popularity in the U.S. This segment combined the versatility and higher driving position of larger SUVs with the maneuverability and efficiency more typical of smaller vehicles. Their appeal cut across a broad demographic, from urban dwellers needing a versatile car for city life to families seeking an efficient yet spacious vehicle.

The small SUV segment remained one of the fastest-growing categories in the automotive market. Their popularity was partly driven by the general shift from traditional sedans to SUVs and crossovers. As the market grew, automakers responded with a plethora of models, each vying for a slice of the pie. This resulted in a highly competitive segment with options ranging from budget-friendly to luxury. Many automakers started offering or expanding their hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric versions of small SUVs to meet increasing demand for efficient and eco-friendly options.

Consistently a top seller, the Toyota RAV4 offered a mix of reliability, efficiency, and a roomy interior. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime (a plug-in hybrid) further broadened its appeal. Another perennial favorite, the Honda CR-V was known for its spaciousness, comfort, and reliability. A hybrid version was also available. As Chevy’s entry into the small SUV segment, the Equinox was popular due to its balanced size, feature set, and competitive pricing. The Nissan Rogue, with its 2021 redesign, boasted improved styling, technology, and safety features, making it a strong contender in the segment.

Here Are The Most Popular Small SUVs in the U.S for 2021

This data table looks at full year Small SUV sales volumes in the United States by model. We compare U.S market Small SUV model sales for the full year versus the full year last year.

Model Month Month LY Change YTD YTD LY YTD Change
Fiat 500X 67 121 -44.63 1,180 1,444 -18.28
Toyota C-HR 941 3,308 -71.55 35,707 42,936 -16.84
Jeep Cherokee 3,459 14,626 -76.35 89,126 135,854 -34.40
Jeep Compass 5,871 11,628 -49.51 75,642 107,968 -29.94
Toyota Corolla Cross 3,500 0 0.00 7,203 0 0.00
Mini Countryman 879 1,181 -25.57 12,198 9,363 30.28
Honda CR-V 25,056 38,120 -34.27 361,271 323,502 11.68
Subaru CrossTrek 9,494 14,957 -36.52 127,466 119,716 6.47
Mazda CX-30 5,160 4,408 17.06 55,180 38,064 44.97
Mazda CX-5 10,419 17,954 -41.97 163,940 146,420 11.97
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 668 595 12.27 8,946 10,319 -13.31
Ford EcoSport 2,992 4,817 -37.89 40,659 60,544 -32.84
Buick Encore GX 4,508 6,541 -31.08 72,401 42,240 71.40
Buick Envision 3,819 3,267 16.90 47,173 34,943 35.00
Chevrolet Equinox 4,738 30,561 -84.50 165,325 270,994 -38.99
Ford Escape 10,704 17,373 -38.39 145,415 178,495 -18.53
Subaru Forester 13,930 16,006 -12.97 154,723 176,996 -12.58
Honda HR-V 9,832 8,428 16.66 137,090 84,027 63.15
Volkswagen ID.4 1,488 0 0.00 16,745 474 3,432.70
Dodge Journey 69 3,698 -98.13 14,034 40,341 -65.21
Nissan Kicks 6,075 6,253 -2.85 82,960 58,858 40.95
Hyundai Kona 5,299 8,349 -36.53 89,607 76,253 17.51
Mazda MX-30 61 0 0.00 61 0 0.00
Hyundai Nexo 37 13 184.62 421 208 102.40
Kia Niro 2,448 1,534 59.58 26,192 17,434 50.24
Mitsubishi Outlander 4,202 1,413 197.38 33,883 27,133 24.88
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 201 148 35.81 2,249 1,964 14.51
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 1,831 1,670 9.64 34,214 28,835 18.65
Jeep Patriot 3 0 0.00 15 0 0.00
Toyota RAV4 34,609 46,846 -26.12 407,739 430,387 -5.26
Jeep Renegade 1,727 6,565 -73.69 47,138 62,847 -25.00
Nissan Rogue 16,985 23,338 -27.22 285,601 227,936 25.30
Kia Seltos 3,053 6,107 -50.01 51,368 46,280 10.99
Kia Sportage 6,034 7,915 -23.77 88,688 84,343 5.15
Volkswagen Taos 4,546 0 0.00 31,703 0 0.00
GMC Terrain 1,351 9,822 -86.25 47,488 86,020 -44.79
Volkswagen Tiguan 8,248 9,686 -14.85 109,742 110,502 -0.69
Chevrolet Trax 428 10,065 -95.75 42,590 106,299 -59.93
Hyundai Tuscon 13,842 11,881 16.51 140,721 123,657 13.80
Hyundai Venue 2,446 2,639 -7.31 20,669 17,587 17.52
Toyota Venza 5,128 4,495 14.08 61,718 13,073 372.10
∑ = 236,148 ∑ = 356,328 ∑ = 3,336,191 ∑ = 3,344,256

2021 New Small SUV Sales Data by Month in the U.S

This sales data table looks at monthly sales performance for the Small SUV segment in the United States on a month to month basis for the entire year. It includes all major Small SUV models sold in the U.S market and you can see that the monthly Small SUV sales trends clearly. Seeing the individual Small SUV model sales performance in this way gives you a good sense of the momentum (good or bad).