2022 U.S Subcompact Car Sales Figures (With Rankings)

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.