Home › News › Jul 2017

Domestic Vehicles Dominate Autotrader's Hottest Cars for Summer 2017

Staff Report

Friday, July 21st, 2017

With massive heat waves sweeping the nation and most of America in the throes of the dog days of summer, Autotrader's editors examined recent data to uncover the Hottest Cars for Summer 2017.

The findings reveal that year-to-date, car shoppers visiting Autotrader's website are searching most for vehicles from domestic manufacturers, with nine out of the top 10 cars, trucks and SUVs on the list hailing from American auto companies.  Four vehicles are Chevrolets, three are Fords and two are Jeeps, with one Toyota model rounding out the list.  In addition, eight out of the 10 vehicles on the list are either trucks or SUVs, showcasing that America's love affair with utility continues.  The two lone cars on the list boast classic American nameplates, demonstrating that even amidst the summer heat, a several-decades-long legacy of style and performance will always be cool.

"Summer has a kind of patriotic, nostalgic feel and it's a good time to shop for a car. Shoppers looking for American vehicles should check out our list of Hottest Cars for Summer 2017, since many are popular names made by domestic automakers," said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. "Of course, the trend away from sedans is in full swing with the majority of the most-searched vehicles on Autotrader being trucks and SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler. Notable exceptions are performance coupes like the Chevy Corvette and Ford Mustang."

Autotrader's Hottest Cars for Summer 2017

Rank

Vehicle

Samples of Autotrader's Editorial Commentary

 

1

Ford F-150

It's not surprising that the Ford F-150 is the most researched car on Autotrader – it is, after all, the most popular vehicle in the United States, offered in a wide range of body style, drivetrain, engine and trim level configurations…currently there are more than 51,000 F-150 models listed for sale on Autotrader across the country.

 

2

Jeep Wrangler

It's easy to see why Jeep's Wrangler is one of the hottest cars for summer, because basically it can do anything…it's a great convertible, it's a great SUV and since Jeep has been making a four-door version of the Wrangler for the last 10 years, it even can be a great family car…currently there are roughly 25,000 Wrangler models listed for sale on Autotrader.

 

3

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The light-duty Chevy Silverado 1500 usually is nipping at the Ford F-150's heels on the list of the most popular vehicles in the United States…offered in a multitude of configurations with a wide range of body styles, engines, trim levels and various bed and cab lengths, you can generally find just about anything you want…currently there are more than 45,000 Silverado pickups available for sale on Autotrader.

 

4

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is an exciting sports car that's perfect for fun in the summer, offering both excellent performance and the option for a convertible model, so you can drop the top and soak in the warm weather…currently there are nearly 20,000 Mustangs listed for sale on Autotrader.

 

5

Ford F-250

The Ford F-250 is the heavy-duty version of Ford's light-duty F-150 full-size pickup, aimed at shoppers who pull especially large trailers or haul especially heavy loads…currently there are almost 14,000 different F-250 models available for sale on Autotrader. 

 

6

Chevrolet Corvette

With its excellent performance and its big V8 engine up front, the Corvette is an American institution and might just be the perfect summer toy…and if you get a Corvette convertible, or a coupe with a removable roof panel, you can enjoy the summer sun from the cockpit of your exciting new sports car…currently there are more than 11,000 Corvette models listed for sale on Autotrader, with prices ranging from six figures to below $10,000.

 

7

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a reliable, durable pickup that's perfect for summer fun and with its reasonable sizing, you can use it to commute around town…with its bulletproof reliability, you should have no trouble getting many years – and many summers – out of your Tacoma, if you buy a nice example…currently there are more than 15,000 Tacoma models available for sale on Autotrader.

 

8

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is revered for its do-anything capabilities, from family hauler to off-roader to (depending on the particular trim level) performance SUV to luxury SUV and more…currently there are more than 24,000 Grand Cherokee models listed for sale on Autotrader, representing a wide range of model years, trim levels, conditions and pricing.

 

9

Chevrolet Silverado 2500

The Chevy Silverado 2500 is a heavy-duty, full-size pickup that adds additional capabilities to the already impressive Silverado 1500, touting larger engines, sturdier chassis and stronger towing and hauling capabilities…currently there are more than 10,000 Silverado 2500 models listed for sale on Autotrader across the country.

 

10

Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevy Tahoe is a full-size SUV that's been available for more than 20 years as a "baby brother" to the larger Chevy Suburban…available in two- or four-wheel drive and with a wide range of features, the Tahoe has a special ability to carry an entire family and a lot of stuff, while simultaneously pulling a boat or hauling a camper…currently there are more than 14,000 Tahoe models listed for sale on Autotrader, from older models listed low prices to brand-new models with all the trimmings.