- Car search engine and automotive research firm iSeeCars.com created a list of 15 vehicles that saw the greatest used car sale growth from May 2019 to May 2020.
- The list also included the vehicles’ respective month-over-month growth in 2020 from April to May.
- iSeeCars.com’s list – which is ranked by highest to lowest year-over-year growth – is topped by the Honda HR-V, which saw a 53.1% increase in used car sales from May 2019 to 2020.
- However, the Mazda CX-5 saw the largest used car sale growth from April to May with a 108.9% spike.
- On average, used cars saw a 12.5% decrease in sales from May 2019 to May 2020, but a 105.5% increase from April 2020 to May.
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Car search engine and automotive research firm iSeeCars.com created a list of 15 used vehicles that saw the most sale growth year-over-year from May 2019 to May 2020, and the vehicles’ respective month-over-month growth from April to May.
The coronavirus pandemic initially tanked both new and used car sale numbers. But now, as more states have started lifting stay-at-home orders, used car sales have begun to slowly climb again, according to iSeeCars.
In April, used car sales saw a 38.4% drop in sales compared to April 2019. However, by May, used car sale numbers only dipped 12.5% compared to the same time last year, and even increased 105.5% compared to the previous month.
According to iSeeCars, pickup trucks, subcompact SUVs, and vehicles under $10,000 all saw this spike in sales more than other segments. Pickup trucks specifically are the most recurring vehicle type on the list, taking five of the 15 spots with two builds from GMC, and one each from Toyota, Ford, and Ram.
"Pickup trucks continue to grow in popularity, and new pickup truck sales overtook passenger cars in sales for the first time ever in April 2020," iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly said in a statement. "This shows that pickup trucks are popular in the used car marketplace as well."
The list, which is ranked by year-over-year growth, is topped by the used Honda HR-V, which saw a 53.1% increase in sales from May 2019 to May 2020, and an 88.8% spike from April to May. However, Honda's subcompact SUV's month-over-month growth is topped even further by the used Mazda CX-5, which saw a 108.9% growth in sales from April to May.
iSeeCars.com compiled the list using data collected from over 3.6 million used car sales in April and May of 2019 and 2020. However, the study excluded vehicles without 2020 model years, heavy-duy segments, and low-volume builds.
Keep scrolling to see the other vehicles that saw the most radical climb in used car sales last month:
15. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 7.3% change from May last year, 46.5% change from May 2020 to April 2020
14. GMC Sierra 1500 — 7.3% change from May last year, 41% change from May 2020 to April 2020
13. Buick Encore — 7.3% change from May last year, 44.6% change from May 2020 to April 2020
The Encore is the first of three subcompact SUVs on the list.
"The subcompact SUV segment has seen year-over-year growth since it debuted as a segment in 2015, and these vehicles appeal to both drivers who want to enter the SUV segment and people looking to downsize from a larger SUV," Ly said.
12. Mazda CX-5 — 8.6% change from May last year, 108.9% change from May 2020 to April 2020
"The Mazda CX-5 is among the top-ranked vehicles in its class thanks to its driving performance and interior and exterior styling," Ly said.
11. Ram Pickup 1500 — 9% change from May last year, 49.8% change from May 2020 to April 2020
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee —11.8% change from May last year, 67% change from May 2020 to April 2020
The Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV because it attracts a large segment of "sporty to luxurious" customers, according to Ly.
9. Ford F-150 — 12.2% change from May last year, 49.2% change from May 2020 to April 2020
8. Toyota Tacoma —13% change from May last year, 53.7% change from May 2020 to April 2020
7. Mercedes-Benz GLC —14.1% change from May last year, 94.9% change from May 2020 to April 2020
The GLC is one of Mercedes-Benz's most popular vehicles, according to Ly.
6. Nissan Rogue Sport —14.8% change from May last year, 44.8% change from May 2020 to April 2020
The Rogue Sport is the second of three subcompact SUVs on iSeeCar's list.
5. Jeep Compass — 17.7% change from May last year, 41.9% change from May 2020 to April 2020
According to Ly, the Compass is affordable and has a consumer appeal due to its "sporty" 2017 redesign, and many of the post-redesigned Compasses became available off-lease this year.
4. Chevrolet Trax — 23.9% change from May last year, 59.3% change from May 2020 to April 2020
The Trax is the final subcompact SUV on iSeeCar's list.
3. Volkswagen Passat — 29% change from May last year, 71.2% change from May 2020 to April 2020
Ly says used car dealers have been discounting the price of the Passat after the vehicle saw a drop in new car sales from 2018 to 2019 and, consequently, used Passat prices by 15% from 2019 and 2020.
2. Cadillac XT5 — 37.9% change from May last year, 46% change from May 2020 to April 2020
According to Ly, the XT5 has a lower price than the majority of other midsize luxury SUVs, making it a good choice for customers who want to venture into the luxury segment.
1. Honda HR-V — 53.1% change from May last year, 88.8% change from May 2020 to April 2020
"The Honda HR-V has been growing in popularity, and 2019 brought its highest new car sales volume since it was introduced in 2016," Ly said. "The Honda HR-V beats its competitors in passenger room and fuel efficiency, which helps explain its appeal."
