What do Americans actually buy? The 2026 sales data — January to September — tells a familiar story with a new twist: the Ford F-Series is still the best-selling vehicle in the United States, and the Tesla Model Y is the best-selling electric car by a wide margin. Here are the winners, the numbers behind them, and the models to watch as 2027 approaches.
The overall winner: Ford F-Series
The Ford F-Series — the F-150 and its bigger siblings — continues to dominate the American vehicle market in 2026. Year after year, full-size pickups outsell everything else in the United States, and 2026 is no exception. The F-Series is a work truck, a family vehicle and a status symbol in one, and its mix of petrol, hybrid and electric (F-150 Lightning) versions covers every kind of buyer.
The EV chart: Tesla Model Y, by a mile
Electric cars are a smaller slice of the overall US car market in 2026 than in 2025, after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit ended — sales dropped sharply in some months. Even so, the best-selling EVs are clear, and the gap at the top is huge.
| Rank | Model | Share of US EV sales | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | 31.7% | Midsize electric SUV — refreshed for 2026 with a new front design and taillights |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 | 14.7% | Electric sedan — Tesla's second-best seller and the #2 EV in America |
| 3 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 4.4% | Retro-styled electric crossover with ultra-fast charging |
| 4 | Toyota bZ | 3.6% | Toyota's electric SUV (formerly bZ4X) |
| 5 | Chevrolet Equinox EV | 2.8% | Affordable electric SUV from GM |
Source: Edmunds sales data, January–September 2026. The Model Y's sales more than double the next model on the list.
The Model Y's dominance is the story of the American EV market: one model takes nearly a third of all EV sales, and the next nine models combined barely beat it. The 2026 refresh — a more Cybertruck-like front end and new taillights — kept it fresh against newer rivals.
Five cars to know
1. Ford F-Series — America's default vehicle
The best-selling vehicle in America, full stop. The F-150 works as a truck, a tow vehicle and a family car — and the range now runs from work-spec petrol trucks to the hybrid PowerBoost and the all-electric F-150 Lightning.
2. Tesla Model Y — the EV default
If you buy an electric car in America, the odds are it is a Model Y. The 2026 refresh updated the look, and Tesla's Supercharger network remains the easiest fast-charging network to use in the US.
3. Tesla Model 3 — the affordable Tesla
The sedan sibling of the Model Y and the second-best-selling EV in America. Cheaper than the Model Y, with the same charging network and software.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 — the challenger
The best-selling non-Tesla EV in the US. Its retro design stands out, and its 800-volt system charges from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes on a fast charger.
5. Chevrolet Equinox EV — the value pick
GM's affordable electric SUV. It is the cheapest way into a roomy, long-range EV from a mainstream American brand — and one of the few EVs still growing after the tax credit ended.
What is next for 2027
Watch for the Rivian R2, the smaller and cheaper electric SUV Rivian is preparing as a direct Model Y rival — it is the most anticipated American EV launch of the next year. Tesla's own next moves, and whether EV sales recover now that the market is adjusting to life without the federal tax credit, will set the tone for 2027. This page is updated when full-year 2026 sales data lands in January 2027 and when major new models launch.
🔗 See also
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-selling car in the USA in 2026?
The Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2026, based on January–September sales data. Full-size pickups have led the American market for decades.
What is the best-selling electric car in the USA in 2026?
The Tesla Model Y, with 31.7% of all US EV sales from January to September 2026 — more than double the second-place Tesla Model 3 at 14.7%.
What are the top 5 EVs in America in 2026?
Tesla Model Y (31.7%), Tesla Model 3 (14.7%), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (4.4%), Toyota bZ (3.6%) and Chevrolet Equinox EV (2.8%), based on Edmunds sales data for January–September 2026.
Why did US EV sales fall in 2026?
EVs took a slightly smaller share of the overall US car market in 2026 than in 2025, largely because the $7,500 federal EV tax credit was eliminated. Sales dropped sharply in some months after the credit ended.
Is the Tesla Model Y new for 2026?
The Model Y was refreshed for the 2026 model year, with a more Cybertruck-like front end and new taillights, plus interior updates.
What is the Rivian R2?
The Rivian R2 is the smaller, cheaper electric SUV Rivian is preparing as a rival to the Tesla Model Y. It is one of the most anticipated American EV launches for the coming year.
Is the Ford F-150 available as an electric truck?
Yes — the F-150 Lightning is the all-electric version of the F-150, alongside petrol and hybrid PowerBoost versions of the F-Series.
Should I buy petrol, hybrid or electric in 2026?
It depends on your driving: electric wins for short daily trips with home charging, hybrids win for long distances without charging hassle, and petrol still wins for towing and rural use. With the tax credit gone, compare the full sticker price, not the old after-credit price.
Sources
- Edmunds — The Best-Selling (Most Popular) Electric Cars, 2026
- CleanTechnica — US EV sales analysis 2026
- Ford — F-Series
Figures are reported results and sales data as of 7 November 2026; official counts are certified by states in the weeks after an election. Prices are launch prices in US dollars unless stated — check the manufacturer's site for today's price.