The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in the world in 2022 and 2023. It won’t be a hat trick for the Model Y, because in 2024, the Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling car in the world. This is according to figures from data analyst Jato Dynamics. This means that the Toyota RAV4 has returned to its old place. In 2021, the RAV4 was also the most popular car in the world.
No fewer than 1,187,000 units of the Toyota RAV4 left the showroom worldwide in 2024. Almost 1.19 million units, 11 percent more than in 2023. With that, the RAV4 managed to stay just ahead of the Tesla Model Y. Of these, 1,185,000 units were sold last year, only 2,000 fewer than Toyota’s SUV. Three percent fewer units of the Model Y were sold in 2024 than in 2023.
In the rest of the top 10, we come across four more models from Toyota besides the RAV4. The ever-popular Corolla Cross—called Frontlander in China—ended up in third place with 859,000 units sold.
The Corolla Cross feels the hot breath of the Honda CR-V (Breeze) on its neck. It is in fourth place with 854,000 units. The third Toyota claims the fifth position: the Toyota Corolla Sedan. Of these, 697,000 units were sold last year, which was 11 percent less than in 2023. In sixth place is the Hilux. The workhorse was good for 617,000 units sold in 2024. That was also less than in 2023. In seventh place is the Ford F-150, which is in great demand in the United States with 595,000 registrations. The last Toyota in the Top 10 is the Camry, of which 593,000 units have been sold. The Tesla Model 3 joins the Camry and is in ninth place with 560,000 units sold. The Model 3 performed significantly better in 2024 (+10 percent) than in 2023. The BYD Qin—a BYD sedan.
World’s Best-Selling Cars—2024
| Brand | Model | Number | % difference compared to 2023 | |
| 1 | Toyota | RAV4 | 1,187,000 | +11% |
| 2 | Tesla | Model Y | 1,185,000 | -3% |
| 3 | Toyota | Corolla Cross | 859,000 | +18% |
| 4 | Honda | CR-V | 854,000 | +1% |
| 5 | Toyota | Corolla Sedan | 697,000 | -11% |
| 6 | Toyota | Hilux | 617,000 | -15% |
| 7 | Ford | F-150 | 595,000 | -2% |
| 8 | Toyota | Camry | 593,000 | -8% |
| 9 | Tesla | Model 3 | 560,000 | +10% |
| 10 | BYD | Qin | 502,000 | +6% |
