Ford counts the F-150 by means of the heavy-duty F-600 as one nameplate, and by that measure, the F-Sequence has been America’s best-selling automobile for 44 consecutive years. Break the F-150 out by itself, the best way analytics agency Jato Dynamics and Automotive Information do, and the streak has truly been interrupted twice since 2009: by the Toyota Camry that 12 months, and by the Toyota RAV4 for the complete calendar 12 months in 2024.
Midway by means of 2026, the F-150 has been handed once more, however this time the winner just isn’t the RAV4.
In line with mid-year data from Automotive News, the Honda CR-V completed the primary half of 2026 because the best-selling light-duty automobile in the USA. Honda bought 226,114 CR-Vs by means of June, forward of an estimated 209,311 for the F-150 and 194,807 for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, in accordance with GlobalData.
The RAV4 fell to fourth, with gross sales down 36% to 153,955 items.
Mannequin to mannequin, between the Ford F-150 and the Honda CR-V, the latter is on prime on the midway level of 2026. It took a selected mixture of pricing, advertising technique, and provide chain points for the CR-V to realize the lead over the best-selling F-150.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.7L EcoBoost V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automated
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
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Shoppers need extra reasonably priced automobiles
Midsize SUVs supply a powerful value-for-dollar proposition
The typical new-vehicle transaction value is hovering at or close to $50,000 immediately, the very best it’s ever been within the automotive trade. It appears the days of ultra-affordable cars have handed, and even a six-figure wage may not leave enough margin when factoring within the whole price of auto possession.
Vehicles just like the F-150 span a variety of MSRPs, a few of which can fall beneath the nationwide common. For instance, the 2026 F-150 XL, STX, and XLT are underneath the nationwide common of $50,000. Nonetheless, vans can simply bounce in value with choices and packages. Transferring as much as a totally loaded crew cab with leather-based and a sunroof will command a premium over an prolonged cab with material seats.
In contrast, a 2026 Honda CR-V begins at $30,920 for the entry-level LX. Even the highest trim degree, the Sport Touring Hybrid, is underneath the nationwide common for brand spanking new automobile costs at $42,550.
In contrast with full-size vans, automobiles just like the CR-V supply a decrease sticker value and higher gasoline financial system, each of that are promoting factors for consumers in search of an affordable family hauler. At this time, automobiles just like the CR-V supply good cargo area and the newest security applied sciences, so consumers might not really feel as if they’re compromising by selecting one thing prefer it over a full-size truck.
On the similar time, 48-month and 60-month mortgage phrases are much less widespread than they was once, as many consumers have opted for 72- or 84-month financing to maintain automobile funds manageable. Financing a automobile just like the CR-V is extra lifelike for some versus a full-size pickup just like the F-150.
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Provider challenges left Ford quick on vans
Two fires on the similar plant
The F-150’s second-place place to the CR-V mid-year won’t be totally attributable to demand, however quite to what Ford may truly construct.
A fireplace at Novelis’s aluminum plant in Oswego, New York, on September sixteenth, 2025, was adopted by a second hearth on November twentieth in the identical space, which was present process repairs. With the new mill knocked offline till late Could 2026 as a result of fires, Ford was uncovered to a brutal supply-chain crunch for its aluminum-body F-150, which finally cost the automaker an estimated $2 billion.
Whereas the mill has lastly restarted, the stock bottleneck stored Ford on the defensive all spring. The Novelis facility provides roughly 40% of the sheet aluminum utilized by the U.S. auto trade.
Toyota had its personal hurdles with the RAV4, which can clarify its mid-year place because the quantity 4 top-selling automobile. The RAV4, now in its sixth technology, went hybrid-only for the 2026 model year. Whereas the primary items hit sellers in December 2025, the manufacturing changeover bottlenecked stock at vegetation in Japan and North America by means of the winter.
Honda, working its CR-V vegetation at full capability, stored seller tons stocked whereas Ford and Toyota struggled to take action.
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1.5L I4 Turbo
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CVT
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Entrance-Wheel Drive
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Honda priced the CR-V to maneuver
Practically $1,300 off sticker value, on common
Together with having stock when Ford and Toyota didn’t, Honda priced the CR-V to maneuver and marketed it accordingly. As Edmunds famous, the CR-V’s real-world transaction value runs about 3% below MSRP, a financial savings of roughly $1,300, with the Sport Touring Hybrid discounted even additional.
Honda additionally backed the CR-V with APR financing as little as 3.74 %, along with normal money provides for college kids, latest grads, and army members.
As famous above, the aluminum scarcity left the F-150 with restricted stock to low cost within the first place. Ford couldn’t run a comparable incentive push.
Will Honda maintain the lead for the remainder of 2026
It’s attainable, although unlikely. Novelis has returned to full manufacturing, and Ford expects F-150 output to normalize within the second half of the 12 months. Toyota’s Kentucky plant started constructing the brand new RAV4 in June and is predicted so as to add roughly 40,000 items earlier than the tip of 2026.
The primary half of 2026 confirmed what occurs when two of America’s best-selling automobiles run quick on the similar time. No matter its year-end gross sales rating, the 2026 Honda CR-V remains to be one of many best SUVs on the market today.
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