These are the bestsellers of 2021 in America

Americans bought fewer than 15 million cars in 2021, but it wasn't due to lack of effort. The second full year of the COVID 19 pandemic was remarkable, not for poor sales but missed sales. Americans went out to car dealerships to find empty space after being flooded with cash in an economic recovery and newly vaccinated.

A world-wide shortage of microchips and other supply chain crises left automakers unable to build cars as fast as buyers snapped them up. Before the epidemic hit, Americans bought 17 million cars or more every year. We bought less than 15 million for the last two.

The cars we bought changed little. The bestsellers list has a lot of the usual suspects, with only a few minor surprises. The same vehicle has held the sales title for more than 40 years, but there is a new silver medalist. For the first time, a Tesla TSLA snuck into the top 20.

These numbers are subject to change as sales reports are still trickling in. We don't expect late reports to change the order.

For the 44th consecutive year, Ford's F, big F-series truck took home the gold. Its hold on the title was threatened briefly as it fell to second place in the second quarter. Ford was unable to keep up with demand because of the short microchips that were included in the microchips. The Ford F-150 is KBB's Best Buy Award winner for the full-size truck category, and is all-new for 2021. In 2022 it gets an electric version, the F-150 Lightning, to boost the big truck sales numbers even as many Americans go for more efficient electric vehicles.

Ram's big truck has consistently taken third place on the podium in recent years. It slid into second place in 2021. In part, because Ram kept its production numbers up, even though other automakers struggled to get enough microchips to keep building. It is a testament to Ram's livability, thanks to excellent entertainment options and abundant storage.

After a string of silvers, GM s big truck settled for bronze. There is an asterisk on its numbers. GM sells its full-size truck under two names. The two, tated as one, outsold even the F-150. The Silverado can keep a chip on its shoulder about its third-place finish.

Americans buy more SUVs than cars and trucks combined, because full-size trucks always take the top 3 slots. It is hard to claim many sales because manufacturers just offer SUVs in more variety. The bestselling SUV is a truly impressive feat. America s favorite SUV is Toyota's TM, a reliable compact crossover. Honda s HMC, small SUV is close enough to the RAV 4 that choosing between them is mostly a matter of taste. Nearly as many buyers went for Honda's peppy engine and last generation reliability.

Americans are buying fewer sedans than trucks these days. For more than 20 years, Toyota's midsize option fits the bill for more buyers than any of its rivals, and Americans still see what they need in a reliable 4 door car.

Nissan NSANY, introduced a redesigned Rogue in 2021, and the effort paid off. In 2022 the Rogue may creep up further on the RAV 4 and CR-V because they are swapping a more efficient engine into the same successful model.

The iconic midsize SUV was given a complete redesign for the model year 2022. Even before the improvements came, the 2021 model it replaced was selling well. The new model's sharp looks and upscale interior along with a new 3 row L version should help it keep its place as the bestselling midsize SUV this year.

Toyota's midsize 3 row SUV has a well-earned reputation for dependability and comfort. It starts at a higher price than most rivals, but that didn't faze many buyers last year.

This quintessential small car always sells well. A brand new Civic for 2022 should make this year even better than last for Honda. How solid is the Corolla's place in American culture? Toyota sold its 50 millionth Corolla last year.

Here is the second sales number for GM's big truck. An updated Sierra is coming in the year 2022, with an improved interior and a bold new look.

Ford's classic midsize SUV can be bought as a flexible family hauler, an off-road specialist, a sporty SUV or an efficient hybrid. In 2021, that versatility worked for a lot of Americans.

It was easy to say that there was nothing else like the Jeep Wrangler on the market until 2021. It has a real off-road rival in the Ford Bronco. We compare the Honda Accord to the Hyundai Sonata, two roomy sedans, in the 2022 Honda Accord. This is the first time an electric car has slipped into the top 20. It almost certainly won't be the last. In 2022, manufacturers are introducing dozens of new electric vehicles. Tesla had no competition in the year 2021, and it was the only company that had a lot of competition. It starts in 2022 with rivals in almost every manufacturer.

Mazda MZDAY is about to re-engineer its SUV lineup in 2022. The company is known for its SUVs, which are great on the road but will launch more off-road oriented alternatives this year, like the CX 50. That may bring in new buyers, but the CX-5 already had enough fans to crack the 2021 top 20.

The Chevy s small crossover has less cargo room than the RAV 4 or CR-V and no hybrid option. It found a home in a lot of driveways in 2021, anyway. Read next: 10 top cars of the year.

Americans like compact SUVs, and full-size trucks may get all three podium places. The Forester is the seventh on this list. Forester, known for its symmetrical all-wheel drive system and remarkable space for its small footprint, Subaru s FUJHY rounded up the top 20 bestsellers in a rough year for the auto industry.