Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in the World in 2023; For the First Time, an EV Tops the List

• For the first time ever, the best-selling car in the world in 2023 is a Tesla. 
• According to reports, the Tesla Model Y took over from the Toyota Corolla for the top spot in new car sales worldwide.
• Reports note that across over 160 countries, the Tesla Model Y is the global sales leader in 2023. 

Tesla’s Model Y was the world’s best-seller in 2023, beating out the Toyota Corolla by a small margin. Based on sales in 162 countries, reports note that the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2022 was the Toyota Corolla, with 1.12 million sold.  Toyota’s popular RAV4 was in second place, with 868,309 sales, making it the world’s most popular SUV. Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks, took third place globally with 786,337 sold, while Tesla’s Model Y was in fourth place in 2022 with 759,579 units sold.

Now, the Tesla Model Y has overtaken all of these vehicles, making it the #1 most sold vehicle in 2023. Below, we will take a look at these 10 vehicles that made it to the top 10 list of most sold vehicles in 2023.

1. The Tesla Model Y

According to reports, the Tesla Model Y rose to become the number one best-selling vehicle in the world with over 427,524 units sold so far. What makes the Tesla Model Y stand out? The Tesla Model Y is one of the most popular electric cars in the world, and this is not just because it has the Tesla name dubbed on it; there is a highly compelling reason for this. 

Electric cars have been at the centre of the automobile industry. Because of their increased driving range and growing charging infrastructure, EVs are becoming more useful. There are several brand-new electric vehicles available nowadays. But the Tesla Model Y is one of the best electric cars in the world. Most cars cannot easily compare to one another, so you need to pay close attention to why we say that the Tesla Model Y would have you in its clutches without even realizing it. 

Tesla Model Y opened the door for other compact electric SUVs and established itself as a model and industry standard for other automakers. It has established itself as the tiny electric SUV to beat on a global scale, inspiring more seasoned automakers like Volkswagen to create a rival.

2. The Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla moved down to second place, with a sales record of 410,732. The Corolla is down 6.6 per cent over 2022 sales numbers. The Toyota Corolla is a trusted model made by a trusted brand. Over a decade, Toyota Corolla’s reliability was ranked as the best of the best by Consumer Reports. This famous car ranked #1 in its class, for several recent model years, including 2014, 2018, and 2019.

It’s one of those vehicles that isn’t exactly expected to drive like a sports car. But consumers who love the Toyota Corolla love it for being practical. It’s known for exceptional fuel economy and, again, rock-solid reliability.

Over the last two decades, there have only been 5 model years that earned a lower score than 5 out of 5 for predicted reliability. Even the experts believe in Toyota’s reliability. The model years 2001 and 2019 received 3 out of 5 stars. The Corolla’s 2000, 2003, and 2004 model years earned 4 out of 5. 

3. The Ford F-Series

The Ford F-Series pickup truck comes in third place, with 358,945 units sold so far this year. The Ford F-series truck is already in its ninth generation, the eighth generation still offers a good deal. The F-series entered a new era in 2015, and they now appear to be genuinely modern vehicles. 

The majority of the amenities seen on the 2023 Ford F-series model are available if you choose an eighth-generation Ford F-series. To determine the reliability, a Ford F-series built after 2015 should be good to go. One of the significant changes for this full-size truck is the use of aluminium throughout the body, which helps to cut down on weight. However, the frame and firewall are still made of highly durable high-strength steel.

Thanks to the use of lighter materials, Ford was able to outperform rivals like Chevy and Ram in this era in terms of fuel efficiency, towing, and payload capacity. 

4. The Toyota RAV4

The popular RAV4 dropped to the fourth place in 2023 with 324,061 units. That’s an 11.1 per cent drop from last year’s sales period. The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling SUVs in the world, although the accolade doesn’t extend to Nigeria because the SUV isn’t widespread over here. Regardless, the RAV4 deserves its flowers as the best-selling SUV in the world.  

In 2022, the RAV4 Hybrid lineup received more rigorous headlights and new wheel designs. The current RAV4 Hybrid features an angular design with deep body lines, a chiselled front end, dual exhaust outlets, and chunky tail lights. Toyota offers the RAV4 Hybrid in a wide range of trims that include the sporty XSE with an available black roof and black wheels, as well as the upscale Limited trim with an extra bit of chrome. The design of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid remained the same as the 2022 model. 

5. The Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck has moved up over last year, taking fifth place with 252,545 units sold. The Chevrolet truck is a luxury pickup truck that is gradually coming up in the Nigerian car market. It’s not as popular as the Ford and Toyota trucks, however, it still has a lot of qualities that measure up to these other trucks. 

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado EV is getting over 400 miles of range, and car experts believe it can tow up to 10,000 pounds. The truck will also use a new GM Ultium electric vehicle platform.

6. The Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V crossover came in sixth, with 249,184. This SUV was first introduced in 1995. Notwithstanding, this automobile which is mostly driven by women in Nigeria (you can check for yourself when next you are on the road) is quite durable although its older models had no unique exterior features apart from the spare tyre hung behind it.

The 2023 CR-V will forgo that SUV’s active lifestyle leanings for a more sophisticated look. It features a more masculine exterior. A taller radiator grille with chunky hexagonal mesh inserts, wider lower air intake, sportier bumper, higher and straighter hood, and slimmer headlamps lend the redesigned model a striking appearance at the front. On the sides, the 2023 CR-V seems to feature bigger windows and a taller rear quarter glass, which should make long drives more comfortable for all passengers.

7. The Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson crossover came in seventh so far in 2023 with 245,863 units sold. The 2023 Hyundai Tucson features a novel, audacious design that is set to upend the compact SUV industry. The base Tucson is powered by a more traditional 2.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine that is shared with the Sonata family car, but both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid are also available; those two use a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that is supplemented by an electric motor. 

Tucson is one of the segment’s most fashionable options, and all variants come with a good amount of standard equipment. The contemporary Tucson competes against several potent rivals, including the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, and the Volkswagen Tiguan, but it has brought its A-game with the inclusion of its ground-breaking attributes, economical cost, and high-performance hybrid powertrains. The automobile has undergone a complete redesign and reformation for this model year. A more bold and daring interior and exterior have been accumulated.

8. The Toyota Camry

The ever-reliable Camry sedan took eighth place with 245,066 units sold in 2023. The Toyota Camry continues to be the best-selling sedan car all over the world. One reason for the Camry’s appeal could be its great reliability. Experts found that the Camry is among the top ten longest-lasting passenger cars. 

The Toyota Camry has been around for decades, and Experts provide ratings going back to 2000. It looked at both the reliability verdict as well as owner satisfaction ratings. As a whole, the Camry’s ratings over the years have been excellent.  

In addition to its reliability, the 2023 Camry benefits from its great crash test results and safety features. It has three powertrains to pick from: the standard four-cylinder engine, a hybrid option, and a V6 engine available on certain trims. All trims come with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto has been added for 2023. The 2023 Camry even has optional all-wheel drive.

9. The Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux pickup truck is well-known worldwide. It had sales of 231,784 units in 2023. The Hilux, produced by Japanese automobile giant, Toyota, hit the market in 1968 and is undoubtedly the world’s toughest pick-up. It is the winner of the international pick-up awards for 2022-2023. 

In Nigeria, an older model of the Hilux is used by the armed forces and the police as patrol vans. While even older models are used for the transportation of goods. More recent models can be seen in the convoys of politicians and other VIPs. Individuals also own the car privately. In all, the Toyota Hilux has served Nigerians properly over the years. The pick-up truck has a unique look that makes it stand out on the road.

The 2023 Toyota Hilux has updated lines and a less blocky look which makes it look modern and aggressive. Toyota redesigned the front grille completely, making it bigger. The name ‘TOYOTA’ is inscribed on the front grille. The body of the vehicle is made of chrome which is a premium material. While the headlights are completely redesigned to complement that modern look, also the graphics on the lights are updated to improve visibility. 

10. The Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 sold 226,049 units in 2023. The Tesla Model 3 is an electric compact sedan car produced by Tesla, Inc. It was first introduced in 2017 and has since become one of the most popular electric cars on the market. The Model 3 has a range of up to 358 miles on a single charge, can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in as little as 3.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 162 miles per hour.

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The Model 3 features Tesla’s signature Autopilot technology, which allows the car to navigate and steer on highways, change lanes, and park itself. It also has a minimalist interior with a large touchscreen display in the centre console that controls most of the car’s functions, including the audio system, climate control, and navigation. The Model 3 comes in several different variants, with varying levels of performance and range.