Online car sales have been rising at record speeds in recent years. People enjoy the convenience of internet shopping, and today, buying a vehicle online is just as easy as purchasing gifts, home goods, and groceries with a simple click of a button. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new or used vehicle, there are options for you. You can build a new car, truck, or SUV to suit your preferences and needs right on the brand’s website, and if you’re in the market for a used model, with the countless vehicles of all makes, models, shapes, and sizes that you’ll have access to with nationwide inventory search ability, instead of building the perfect model, you’ll be searching the internet for it.
Autotrader was the first of many nationwide online marketplaces for drivers to conveniently find their perfect vehicle. Today, you’ll have numerous reputable online dealer sites to choose from for your online car shopping experience, like Carvana, CarGurus, and Online.cars, just to name a few, providing you with what will seem like endless models to choose from across the nation. As overwhelming as it might be if you don’t already have a specific make and model in mind to narrow down your options, unlike the limitations you’ll find shopping at local used car dealers, you’ll have access to even the hottest-selling pre-owned vehicles on the market. You’re going to need all the help you can get with your decision. To help get you started, here is an overview of five popular models that you might not find sitting on the lot of your local used car dealer, but you’re sure to find online, possibly even making the cut as your next vehicle.
#1 Toyota Camry
Before there were hybrid and all-electric vehicles, drivers with lengthy commutes turned to the comfort and efficiency of sedans, with the most practical option for any lifestyle being the midsize models. If you’re looking for the best sedan on the market, the Toyota Camry is the way to go. It has been around since the 1980s and at the top of America’s popularity charts since 2002 for its sleek appearance, spacious and accommodating interior, and trunk space, with the delivery of an athletic and impeccably fuel-efficient drive. Camrys from model years 1988 through 1991 and from late 2020 to the present are available with all-wheel drive for optimal performance in any weather. Plus, with branding from America’s best-selling and most reliable brand, you can trust that you’ll be getting the most bang for your buck with many uninterrupted miles in a pre-owned Toyota Camry as long as you keep up with its routine maintenance.
#2 Ford F-150
Moving on to America’s favorite truck, from another one of the country’s top-selling brands, you’ll find the Ford F-150 in an array of sizes, with your choice of cab configurations and bed sizes, trim levels, and paint colors to satisfy your needs for an affordable, family-friendly, versatile truck that’s prepared for your commute, work, and play. Ford’s F-Series line of full-size, light-duty pickups has been around since 1948, with the F-150 appearing for the 1975 model and ranking as the best-selling truck in the United States by 1982. Although it might be known for its best-in-class capabilities, it also holds a reputation for style, comfort, and versatility. So whether you opt for the most affordable base model for your work truck, pamper yourself with the luxurious F-150 Limited model, or hit the trails in an off-road-ready Raptor edition, when browsing online car sales websites, you’re sure to find a Ford F-150 to spark your interest.
#3 Chevrolet Equinox
Following in the footsteps of both Ford and Toyota, the Chevrolet brand comes in at the top of the list with the most sales. As for its best-selling vehicle that isn’t the Silverado pickup, that recognition goes to the Equinox. Chevy’s compact SUV is generous with its feature-rich and innovative interior and versatile with an outstanding and fuel-efficient performance no matter what the road conditions might be. You can even benefit from truck-like capabilities with the Equinox, like powerful towing capacities that exceed many of its competitors. It’s no wonder it remains at the top. The Chevy Equinox is a vehicle that’s great for any driving occasion and driver.
#4 Honda Accord Hybrid
Let’s switch gears a little and take a look at a popular hybrid model that might appeal to your need for fuel efficiency without turning to a fully-electric model: the Honda Accord Hybrid. Similar to its rival, the Toyota Camry, the Accord has been a classic choice for a family sedan for decades. It was initially introduced for the 1977 model year as a two-door hatchback but grew to a four-door sedan in 1979.
The Accord’s growth continued to increase both in size and sales, soon reaching the top of the charts, surpassing even the Camry in 1990 as the best-selling car for its budget-friendly pricing, reliability, roomy interior and trunk space, and powerful engine options. By 2005, the first Honda Accord Hybrid was introduced but was discontinued soon after, following its 2007 model year. The hybrid model was reintroduced for 2014, more efficient than its predecessor and with the same iconic Accord size, performance, and high-class comfort.
#5 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the newest model on our list with an introduction to the market for the 2021 model year. It comes as no surprise that Ford’s first fully-electric compact performance SUV carries unprecedented popularity, even as the new kid on the block. It’s inspired by the Mustang Mach 1 and shares the iconic pony’s nameplate, delivering a sports car performance with the comfort, versatility, and range of an all-electric SUV, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for an all-around out-of-this-world driving experience. The Mach-E took the #2 spot as America’s best-selling all-electric SUV after its first year of sales and even won Car and Driver’s first EV of the Year award. It is undoubtedly the complete package with a base model that’s similarly priced to premium fuel-burning competitors, only with much more power, style, and amenities to offer. Due to its popularity, this EV could be a little bit harder to find, but online shopping is a great way to get your hands on one of these models.
The Best Way to Buy a Car Is Online
The future of car buying is here. Spending hours traveling from dealership to dealership in search of your next vehicle was how the process used to begin years ago, followed by hours of negotiating for the best financing option and deals for the model of your choosing. Today, internet shopping has become the desirable purchasing option for buying a car, truck, or SUV.
Online car sales are stress-free, straightforward, and convenient ways to look for and purchase your next vehicle. The hardest part of your online car buying journey will be choosing which model’s right for you amongst the thousands of vehicles you’ll have to choose from before the ice melts in your coffee while sitting out on your deck with your feet up. This includes the country’s most popular models you’ll struggle to find just by looking at the lots of the few local dealers near you. The process for online car sales can be done 24/7, so there’s no rush and no hassle.
