Illinois Breaks a Big Truck Trend With Its Most Popular Vehicle

Pickup trucks dominate a huge portion of the American auto market. In fact, if you look across most of the country, trucks rule the road. But when it comes to Illinois drivers, the most popular vehicle might surprise you.

A new study from Visual Capitalist, using 2025 registration data from Edmunds, mapped the best-selling vehicle in every state. The results show a pretty clear pattern across much of the U.S., with one big exception right here in Illinois.

Pickup Trucks Still Rule Most of America

If you drive around the Midwest or the South for about five minutes, you’ll see why trucks dominate these rankings.

The Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in America overall and leads registrations in 29 states. It tops the list in places like Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Wyoming.

That dominance reflects where trucks are most useful: rural areas, construction-heavy regions, and places where hauling, towing, and winter weather make a truck the obvious choice.

A Few States Break the Pattern

Not every state follows the pickup trend.

California and parts of the West Coast lean electric, with the Tesla Model Y topping sales charts in some areas. That reflects the rapid growth of EV adoption in those markets.

But Illinois? We went a completely different direction.

MORE: Biggest Reasons Rockford Drivers Are the Worst in Illinois

The Most Popular Vehicle in Illinois

Despite how rural much of Illinois is… and despite how many trucks you see on farms, job sites, and highways… the most registered new vehicle in the state is the...

Honda CR-V.

MORE: Open Letter to Illinois Drivers Who Do This to Others at Red Lights

The compact SUV beating out full-size pickups might feel surprising, but it makes sense. Vehicles like the CR-V offer strong fuel economy, plenty of cargo space, and practicality for everyday driving.

If you want to see the full breakdown Visual Capitalist, you will find it HERE.