The SUVs Closest To Stealing The Toyota RAV4’s Crown

The Toyota Rav4 “only” sold 59,869 units in the first quarter of 2026. Some nameplates would be happy to sell that many units in a year, but the Rav4 has been the top-selling SUV in the US for close to a decade. This is a slow start for such a hot model. Toyota has been busy ramping up production for the relaunched 2026, essentially missing out on three months of potential sales for the new model, creating an opportunity for its competitors to jump ahead in rank with the Rav4 placing fifth for overall sales.

Taking a look at Q1’s hottest sellers, a big theme for 2026 seems to be off-road trims like the Honda CR-V TrailSport and the Rock Creek Nissan Rogue. Whether those trims will keep these SUVs ahead of the Rav4 now that the 2026 model Toyota is going on sale, we’ll have to wait and see.

Mazda CX-5

34,991 Sold In Q1

The 2026 model year sees the launch of an all new generation for the Mazda CX-5. The wheelbase is a little longer, at 109.3 inches, the SUV has received a visual redesign with new headlights and tail lights, and the front-end has a handsome, sculpted new look. Inside, you’ve got a 15.6-inch touchscreen, and the SUV is available with ambient lighting and Cognac leather upholstery.

Mazda sold 34,401 units in the first quarter of 2025, so the third-gen relaunch has resulted in a small, but measurable sales bump of 590 units in the first three months of the new year. This is more impressive when you consider that car sales are down, overall, from this time a year ago.

Jeep Wrangler

44,461 Sold In Q1

Credit: Jeep

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler largely follows a philosophy of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. It’s the same SUV that sold 167,322 units last year, but now the 12.3-inch infotainment screen is standard across all trims, and you have some new colors to pick from. We especially dig “Reign,” a bold purple that can’t help but bring to mind the classic song by Prince.Wranglers will likely remain strong sellers for as long as the nameplate remains in production. Wrangler buyers don’t have a “close-second” favorite SUV, the Wrangler isn’t on their “maybe” list. They want the iconic off-roader and that’s what they buy.

Kia Sportage

44,704 Sold In Q1

Credit: Kia

The 2026 Kia Sportage comes with a welcome mid-cycle refresh. Kia went with a chunkier look for this model year, with a cool rectangular grille and sleek, vertical headlights. Inside you’ve got a curved digital display and an optional 10-inch HUD.

Last year, the Sportage sold 41,301 units by the end of March. So, as with the Mazda CX-5, Kia’s compact crossover stands out for its ability to thrive in turbulent times.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

53,482 Sold In Q1

Credit: Jeep

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has long been one of the more versatile full-sizers on the road, and its impressive sales numbers reflect that. The 2026 mid-cycle refresh introduces the new 2.0-liter Hurricane-4, a powerplant that utilizes F1 technology for more efficient, more powerful performance.

Jeep’s new engine seems to be a hit, with FCA reporting a 10% sales bump for the Grand Cherokee, compared to a 4% bump for the brand overall.

Subaru Forester

54,674 Sold In Q1

Credit: Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a year into its sixth-gen relaunch, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen (standard on everything but the base trim). It has 9.3 inches of ground clearance, and 3,000 lbs of towing capacity. The new generation still runs on the same platform and engine lineup as the fifth-generation Forester, making it more of an updating of the crossover than a total relaunch.

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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.