The white clothes have been put away, the last hot dogs have been grilled, and the days are getting shorter. Summer 2017 is over, and as we roll into fall change is on the wind. From here, it’s apparent that auto sales aren’t going to smash records this year, something that has happened every year since 2011. And with Hurricane Harvey devastating Houston and the areas surrounding America’s fourth-largest city, it looks like September’s numbers will be sobering, too.
But whether sales are up or down, the monthly list of best-sellers is generally a static thing. That’s what made August’s numbers so surprising. Most best-sellers are having down years compared to 2016. And there’s beginning to be another sea change, as compact crossovers continue to increase in popularity and aging models begin to lose their luster.
So after a wild summer, this is what the state of the automotive world looks like. It may be in flux, but these are the 10 best-selling vehicles of August 2017, according to Good Car, Bad Car.
10. Chevrolet Equinox
2018 Chevrolet Equinox | Chevrolet
Chevy’s midsize crossover has always been popular, despite staying largely unchanged since 2009. But it released its new 2018 model early, and the results are already paying off. The new Equinox is lighter, roomier, and more fuel efficient, not to mention better looking. After being bumped by the Ford Edge in July, it reclaimed the 10 spot for August. With 28,245 units sold, it saw an incredible 84.9% sales jump over August 2016’s numbers.
Next: Is this the beginning of a decline for this popular crossover?
9. Nissan Rogue
2017 Nissan Rogue | Nissan
Until lately, Nissan couldn’t sell Rogues fast enough. The midsize crossover is the fifth best-selling vehicle of 2017, but its drop to No. 7 in July, and now the nine spot in August, could suggest we’ve reached a saturation point. Compared to August 2016, sales are down 9.5%. Still, 29,844 sales in August 2017 is nothing to sneeze at.
Next: Signs of life from the midsize sedan segment
8. Honda Accord
2018 Honda Accord Touring | Honda
With the Rogue slipping, could this suggest some life in the midsize sedan segment? An even more appealing Accord is coming for 2018, but buyers aren’t exactly sick of the old one yet. In August, the Accord climbed up into the eight spot, selling 30,019 units. Accord sales are steady but (still slightly down) 0.3% compared to August 2016. Only time will tell whether it can claw its way up from here.
Next: A popular crossover holds its own.
7. Honda CR-V
The 2017 Honda CR-V | Micah Wright/The Cheat Sheet
Thanks in part to a handsome new redesign for 2017, the Honda CR-V is the best-selling crossover in the world. But in a strange twist, the popular compact people mover just edged out Honda’s supposedly failing midsize car in August. An impressive 30,960 CR-Vs were sold in August. But highlighting how much the market has cooled this year, sales are still down 15.2% compared to August 2016 sales.
Next: Honda for the hat trick
6. Honda Civic
2017 Honda Civic | Micah Wright/The Cheat Sheet
As popular as the CR-V is, Honda’s stalwart compact car is still a force to be reckoned with. Unlike the rival Corolla, which has failed to crack the top 10 for months now, the cheap and sporty Civic seems to offer something for everyone. Honda sold an impressive 36,482 units in August. That’s up an impressive 11.2% compared to August 2016.
Next: More proof that the midsize sedan is coming back?
5. Toyota Camry
2018 Toyota Camry | Toyota
America’s favorite midsize car swapped places with the Civic in August, cracking the top five. Bolstered by the arrival of the new 2018 models, sales are up an impressive 12.7% compared to August 2016. With 37,051 units sold in August, could this suggest that midsize sedans are making a slight comeback?
Next: The mighty are falling.
4. Ram Pickups
2017 Ram 1500 | Ram
Ram pickups were the perpetual bronze medalist every month. But recently, the aging (they’ve been largely unchanged since 2009) trucks have fallen to a surprising fourth place. In August, Ram sold 37,608 pickups. That’s down a worrying 7% compared to August 2016. A new Ram is slated for 2019. With sales sliding, it can’t come soon enough.
Next: This is America’s favorite non-truck.
3. Toyota Rav4
2017 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota
With a little life among the compact and midsize car segments in August, then the success of the Toyota Rav4 should only reinforce that we’re living in the age of the compact crossover. The Rav4 is the most popular non-pickup in America, drubbing Ram’s pickups and selling 43,265 units in August. Compared to August 2016, sales are up an impressive 30.4%. With numbers like these, it looks like Toyota will be holding onto the three spot for some time.
Next: This truck is the perpetual runner-up.
2. Chevrolet Silverado
2017 Chevrolet Silverado | General Motors
With the mighty Ram losing its luster, the Overlook Hotel portion of the monthly top 10 now begins at the two spot, where these trucks have always been here. The perpetual silver medalist Chevy Silverado had a good month in August, selling 54,448 units. Compared to August 2016, that amounts to a 3.9% sales boost.
Next: As if there were ever any doubt
1. Ford F-Series
2018 Ford F-150 | Ford
The king is here; long live the king. Bolstered by the arrival of face-lifted 2018 models, the Ford F-Series is the runaway best-selling vehicle in America. Ford moved a whopping 77,007 trucks in August. That represents a 15% increase over August 2016 sales and proves yet again that Ford knows how to deliver the truck that people want.
