Automakers’ third-quarter and September 2026 reports show where American car money is flowing. Some of these crossovers and off-roaders are surging at double-digit rates, while others are slipping from last year’s pace despite still selling in enormous numbers. Here are thirteen SUVs that stand out in the latest US sales figures.
1. Toyota RAV4: Volume Without Momentum
Toyota’s compact crossover logged 253,664 US sales through September 2026. That total came even after a 29.2% drop from the 358,134 recorded a year earlier, so volume remains very large even as the pace fell sharply.
For shoppers, a sales slide of that size at a best-seller can signal more room to negotiate, though the sheer scale of the total shows demand has not vanished. Even so, a total above a quarter of a million units shows the compact crossover still outsells most rivals by a wide margin, and a decline of this kind is a story about momentum, not about disappearing demand.
2. Nissan Rogue: A Quarter Of Strong Gains
Nissan sold 201,991 Rogues through the third quarter of 2026, a gain of 24.8%. The third quarter alone rose 26.3% to 66,021, which shows the climb was not confined to a single strong stretch earlier in the year.
A compact crossover growing at that rate while peers slip stands out against the year-to-date declines at some other models, a point worth weighing when comparing rivals. Because both the year-to-date and quarterly numbers point the same direction, the gain looks like a sustained trend, and shoppers cross-shopping compact crossovers will find the Rogue far more visible on lots and in traffic.
3. Chevrolet Equinox: Steady Third-Quarter Pace
Chevrolet moved 191,578 Equinoxes through the third quarter of 2026, with 67,203 of them arriving in the third quarter alone. Those quarterly figures show a crossover selling in large numbers.
The third-quarter share, roughly a third of the nine-month total, indicates demand held up through the summer rather than fading, which matters to anyone watching incentives. Sales at that level generally mean parts, service knowledge and used inventory are easy to find, a practical consideration for owners planning to keep a family crossover for many years.
4. Hyundai Tucson: Double-Digit Growth
Hyundai’s compact SUV reached 181,687 US sales through September 2026, a gain of 10.0%. In the third quarter, it sold 64,075 against 51,929 a year earlier, so growth accelerated rather than faded as the year went on.
Rising volume at that level makes the Tucson a safe bet for resale demand, though buyers should still compare trims, since the headline total spans many variants. A model that keeps adding volume as the year progresses is one buyers can expect to find widely stocked, which helps anyone ready to compare trims and prices.
5. Chevrolet Trax: Budget Crossover Surge
Chevrolet’s small crossover posted 167,910 sales through September 2026. Third-quarter volume came to 57,917 versus 48,203 a year earlier, a clear step up for a model in the entry-level corner of the market.
The pattern shows the Trax gaining ground, which is worth noting for anyone with a tight budget shopping this class. The third-quarter gain of nearly ten thousand units over the prior year also shows the momentum is recent, which shoppers can weigh when asking dealers about availability.
6. Kia Sportage: Kia’s Quiet Climb
Kia’s compact SUV recorded 145,746 sales through September 2026, up 8.7%. The increase is modest beside some rivals but still adds up to a six-figure haul over nine months.
Consistent single-digit growth suggests steady rather than trend-driven demand, which is a useful sign for owners who may sell or trade later. For owners, the broad consistency matters more than any one record, because a nameplate that sells in this volume year after year usually keeps strong parts supply and a deep pool of used examples.
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Big Total, Sharp Slide
Jeep sold 139,764 Grand Cherokees through the third quarter of 2026 despite a 30.3% third-quarter slide. The nine-month total therefore reflects a strong first half that the latest quarter could not fully sustain.
A drop that steep in a single quarter is worth watching, since it could prompt dealers to compete harder on price. The nine-month total remains large, and only the most recent quarter turned weak, so buyers should treat the slide as a short-term signal and compare current offers before deciding.
8. Subaru Crosstrek: Small Crossover, Big Volume
Subaru’s compact crossover tallied 138,249 sales through September 2026, including 50,626 in the third quarter. Those figures show a compact crossover selling in large numbers.
With the third quarter accounting for more than a third of the year’s total so far, buyers shopping now are entering a market where demand is still running hot. Strong quarterly volume on a model of this size gives shoppers confidence that service networks and accessory options will remain widely available.
9. Jeep Wrangler: Rugged And Still Rising
Jeep’s off-road icon sold 131,011 Wranglers through the third quarter of 2026, up 2.3%. The third quarter itself grew 5.4% to 44,757, an acceleration from the year-to-date pace.
Growth in a vehicle this specialized shows buyer loyalty holding firm, a useful signal for owners weighing resale. The combination of rising totals and a stronger latest quarter suggests demand is still building, and buyers can expect plenty of used examples to compare.
10. Ford Bronco: A Six-Figure Nine Months
Ford reported 114,956 Broncos sold through September 2026, including 38,020 in the third quarter. The totals appear in the automaker’s quarterly sales release.
Averaging more than 38,000 a quarter, the Bronco shows a steady sales rhythm quarter to quarter. With more than 114,000 sold in nine months, totals like these also give prospective owners reassurance that accessories, aftermarket support and trade-in demand are likely to stay robust for years, which matters for anyone planning to keep the vehicle long term.
11. Toyota 4Runner: The Year’s Biggest Jump
Toyota’s body-on-frame SUV reached 107,987 sales through September 2026, up 61.2% from 67,001 a year earlier. That jump is the largest percentage gain of any model on this list.
A surge of that size means demand is far stronger than a year earlier, so buyers may face less room to negotiate than on slower-moving nameplates. Percentage jumps like this can overstate the underlying change when the earlier base is small, so shoppers should read the 107,987 total alongside the growth rate before concluding how scarce or common the model will be.
12. Toyota Corolla Cross: Small Toyota, Fast Growth
Toyota’s compact crossover sold 90,131 US units through September 2026, a gain of 22.9%. That pace is far ahead of the RAV4, which fell 29.2% over the same period.
Growth like this suggests shoppers are choosing the smaller footprint and lower sticker price, a trend worth noting for urban and first-time SUV buyers. Because the percentage is a rate and not a raw count, the 90,131 total remains the better measure of scale, and it still marks the model as a high-volume entry in Toyota’s lineup this year.
13. Lexus RX: Luxury Holds Its Ground
Lexus delivered 89,824 RX models through September 2026, up 11.7%. The figure puts a luxury crossover within sight of mainstream volume sellers.
Double-digit growth at a premium price point shows luxury buyers are still spending. The total also shows that premium crossovers can grow at a healthy clip alongside mainstream models, and shoppers weighing a luxury purchase can expect plenty of inventory and a broad used market to benchmark against.
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