California’s 2025 automotive market showed a notable shift, with Toyota widening its lead as the top-selling brand and Honda reclaiming the second-place spot, pushing Tesla to third. Despite this, the Tesla Model Y remained the single best-selling vehicle model in the state for the year.
The following data is based on the full-year 2025 registration reports from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA).
Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles in California (2025)
The “top 6” list remained remarkably stable, with traditional favorites maintaining their grip on the market.
| Rank | Model | Primary Segment |
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | Electric Compact SUV |
| 2 | Toyota RAV4 | Compact SUV (Gas/Hybrid) |
| 3 | Honda CR-V | Compact SUV (Gas/Hybrid) |
| 4 | Toyota Camry | Mid-Size Sedan |
| 5 | Honda Civic | Compact Sedan |
| 6 | Tesla Model 3 | Electric Near-Luxury Sedan |
| 7 | Ford F-Series | Full-Size Pickup |
| 8 | Toyota Corolla | Compact Sedan |
| 9 | Chevrolet Silverado | Full-Size Pickup |
| 10 | Toyota Tacoma | Mid-Size Pickup |
Key Market Trends
- Hybrid Surge: While Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) saw their first year-over-year market share dip (falling to 20.9% from 22.0% in 2024), Hybrids saw massive growth. Hybrid registrations increased by over 30%, capturing nearly 19.4% of the total market as consumers sought efficient options without charging infrastructure concerns.
- Brand Competition: * Toyota dominated with a 17.8% market share.
- Honda rose to 10.8%, benefiting from high demand for the Civic and CR-V.
- Tesla‘s share dropped to 9.9%, with total registrations falling roughly 11.4% compared to 2024.
- The “Pull-Forward” Effect: A massive spike in EV sales occurred in Q3 2025 due to the expiration of federal tax incentives on September 30. This led to a significant “sales hangover” in Q4, where hybrid sales actually outpaced pure electric sales for the first time in several years.
Best-Selling Electric Vehicles (Non-Tesla)
For those looking beyond Tesla, these were the most popular electric models in California during 2025:
- Chevrolet Equinox EV (The top-selling non-Tesla EV)
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
- Honda Prologue
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Volkswagen ID.4
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date automotive market data, all statistics—including sales rankings, market shares, and registration figures—are based on third-party reports (such as the CNCDA) and are subject to change or correction by official sources.
This content does not constitute financial, investment, or professional purchasing advice. We are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information, nor for any errors or omissions in the data presented. Always consult with a licensed dealer or financial advisor before making a vehicle purchase.