2022 Best Selling Subcompact Cars In the United States (All Models Ranked)
Subcompact car sales in the U.S. were down 47% in 2022, with just 58,287 units sold. This is the lowest level of subcompact car sales in the U.S. since 1993. U.S. consumers have shown an increasing preference for larger vehicles, especially SUVs and trucks. These vehicles offer more space, versatility, and often a perceived increase in safety due to their size.
Although fuel prices can be volatile, relatively stable and sometimes low gas prices in recent years have made operating larger vehicles more economically viable for many consumers. The financial penalty for driving a less fuel-efficient SUV over a subcompact car isn’t as harsh when gas prices are low. We are also seeing much more investment in making smaller and more feature-rich SUVs. Many modern SUVs and crossovers offer fuel efficiency numbers that are competitive with those of smaller cars, which diminishes one of the traditional advantages of subcompacts. The expanding market of subcompact and compact SUVs has provided consumers with more affordable options. Many of these vehicles have price points close to subcompact and compact cars.
As sales of subcompact cars decline, manufacturers have been less inclined to invest in new models or to continue offering certain models in the U.S. This reduced choice further pushes consumers towards other vehicle segments. The best-selling subcompact car in the U.S. in 2022 was the Kia Rio, followed by the Hyundai Accent and the Nissan Sentra.
The 2022 Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Nissan Sentra are three of the most popular subcompact cars on the market. They offer a variety of features and benefits that make them appealing to a wide range of consumers. The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are very similar cars, sharing the same engine and transmission options. They both offer a good balance of fuel efficiency, performance, and features. The Nissan Sentra is slightly larger and more powerful than the Rio and Accent, and it also has a more upscale interior. However, it is also more expensive. All three cars offer a variety of standard features, including a rearview camera, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a suite of advanced safety features. They also offer a variety of optional features, such as a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad.
Here Are The Most Popular Subcompact Cars in the U.S for 2022
This data table looks at full year Subcompact Car sales volumes in the United States by model. We compare U.S market Subcompact Car model sales for the full year versus the full year last year.
| Model | Month | Month LY | Change | YTD | YTD LY | YTD Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Accent | 154 | 844 | -81.75 | 17,823 | 18,868 | -5.54 |
| Kia Rio | 2,358 | 2,800 | -15.79 | 27,065 | 31,362 | -13.70 |
| Nissan Versa | 1,408 | 3,448 | -59.16 | 13,399 | 60,913 | -78.00 |
| ∑ = 3,920 | ∑ = 7,092 | ∑ = 58,287 | ∑ = 111,143 |
2022 New Subcompact Car Sales Data by Month in the U.S
This sales data table looks at monthly sales performance for the Subcompact Car segment in the United States on a month to month basis for the entire year. It includes all major Subcompact Car models sold in the U.S market and you can see that the monthly Subcompact Car sales trends clearly. Seeing the individual Subcompact Car model sales performance in this way gives you a good sense of the momentum (good or bad).
