Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 the Top Selling Vehicle In New England?

Advertisements running on television in New England claim that the 2016 Toyota RAV4 is now the top-selling vehicle in the region. Could this popular compact crossover really be outselling the Camry, Accord, Civic, Corolla, and all those pickup trucks? It may well be.

Toyota says the claim is backed up by Polk, who looked at registration data. The claim is for the first half of 2016. If this claim is accurate, why might a compact crossover be the top-seller, and why the RAV4 in particular?

The 2016 RAV4 is now the top-selling compact crossover in America, which helps the case. One other reason might be the RAV4’s amazing all-weather capability. The RAV4 has won awards now back to back years in the New England Motor Press Association's (NEMPA) winter vehicle evaluations. Last year, it was the pre-owned RAV4 that took home honors from Wheels TV and NEMPA. This year, the RAV4 Hybrid was named the best Green Crossover by the group. NEMPA tests hundreds of vehicles to come to these conclusions and the members reside in the wintery New England snow country. (More on page 2)

Backing up the claim to support Polk’s analysis, Boston.com has listed the RAV4 as a top seller in New England in the past. Consumer Reports, based in Connecticut, also has the RAV4 on its most popular vehicle list.