SANTA MONICA — Edmunds.com released its list of the most researched vehicles of 2016 this week. According to the firm, the list demonstrated that while SUVs continue to dominate the automotive market, passenger cars are still an important segment.
Despite the fact that market share of passenger cars was down 10% through the first 11 months of 2016 compared to same period last year, the list of top 10 best-selling vehicles is expected to remain evenly split between trucks/utilities and passenger cars.
"Even as the popularity of SUVs and light trucks soar, and given the sheer volume of vehicles sold in the U.S., it will take a major shift in consumer preferences to unseat passenger cars from the best-seller lists," said Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds senior analyst. "And with Toyota preparing to introduce a new Camry next year, it could help breathe a bit of life into a slowing segment."
To determine its list of “most researched” vehicles, Edmunds calculated which vehicle models on both Edmunds' desktop and mobile sites attracted lthe most monthly unique visitors.
In order from most- to least-researched, the most-researched vehicles were the Honda CR-V; Honda Accord; Honda Civic; Toyota RAV4; Honda Pilot; Toyota Highlander; Mazda CX-5; Ford Mustang; Ford F-150; and Subaru Forester.
"As SUVs become more fuel efficient, shoppers are finding they can have the best of both worlds – utility and fuel economy," said Jeremy Acevedo, senior analyst for Edmunds. "But there is still a strong contingent of consumers who love their cars, and it remains an important segment for automakers' investment."
As far as end-of-year vehicle sales go, Edmunds analysts predict that the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla will be the best-selling vehicles of 2016, in that order.
