The Most Popular Car In Each U.S. State
Whether you live in the wet and frigid northeast or the hot and dry west, your state has most popular car. The cars that people in each state buy the most typically are bought based on a few common factors including affordability and reliability. While there are some cars that are popular across a lot of states, other cars are unique to the state's culture and history. Check out your state's most popular vehicle and learn something new about where you live. If you are in the market for another car, seeing what your neighbors are driving and why just might help you decide on what to get next.
Alabama: Honda Civic
The first state on this list, Alabama is also known as the "Heart of Dixie." It is occupied by residents who value the reliability you can only get with a Honda Civic. With an average daily commute of 24 minutes one way and most households in the state owning two cars, a Honda Civic is a responsible choice for most of the population.
As motorized vehicles are the top domestic product shipped out of Alabama, it's safe to say that the population here knows a thing or two about quality cars.
Alaska: Ford Explorer
In a state that is as open and spacious as it is cold, it is no surprise that the most popular car in the state is the Ford Explorer. While the average commute is shorter than some states at only 19 minutes one way, driving conditions definitely vary here from almost every other state in the country.
Alaska also has a large number of fishermen, hunters and geological technicians, which require a larger vehicle for field-related work.
Arizona: Honda Civic
Home of the Grand Canyon and carved throughout by the Colorado River, Arizona is best known for being a beautiful scenery full of basins, ranges, and color.
The sixth-largest physical state, Arizona climates range from hot and dry to forests, mountains, and canyons so having a car that is durable is key to living here. Honda Civics are an ideal choice to withstand the hot and cold temperatures that are common in Arizona.
Arkansas: Nissan Altima
Nestled between Oklahoma and Mississippi, the "Natural State's" most popular car is the Nissan Altima. An affordable car with a little bit of fun and luxury, the Altima is a great car for those looking for a smooth ride at an entry-level price.
With Arkansas also experiencing more bouts of extreme weather such as tornadoes, hail and severe thunderstorms, the Altima is also a very durable car that will last residents through it all.
California: Honda Civic
One of the most well-known and popular places in the world, California has got it going on. Residents here in the Golden State find that the Honda Civic suits their travel and daily commute needs best.
With California being one of the largest states in size and population, the average daily commute is 28 minutes one way and Californians made a great choice in the Honda Civic, which gets over 30 miles to the gallon.
Colorado: Honda Accord
A state full of scenery, mountains and vast forests, Colorado is an adventurist's dreamland. The larger of the sedans, the Honda Accord is perfect for the residents of Colorado to enjoy long sightseeing trips.
Most of the population drives an average of 24 minutes one way to commute to work, making the Honda Accord an ideal choice for gas mileage. A growing percentage of people have started carpooling more with almost 10% of daily commutes involving carpools.
Florida: Toyota Corolla
Home of Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, beaches and warm weather alike, Florida is a popular destination for the young and the old.
The Corolla is really well-liked in Florida because of its sleek body style and price. Florida is the flattest state in the country so people living there can choose to buy cars that are not only practical but also reliable and stylish. This sums up everything great that you will find in a Toyota Corolla.
Georgia: Honda Accord
Known for its produce and heavy traffic, the Peach State residents have to choose a car that can hold up in traffic. The average commute in the state of Georgia is 27 minutes one way which makes it one of the longer commute states in the country. That means drivers will have to ultimately spend more time and money on their cars.
Having something that is reliable and comfortable is key to Georgians, which explains why an Accord suits them best.
Hawaii: Toyota Corolla
The only U.S. state completely made up of islands and the world's largest island chain, Hawaii's residents know a thing or two about being resourceful and making the most of what they have as a state that heavily relies upon its own ecosystem of goods and services as it's over a thousand miles away from the nearest state.
The Corolla is a solid car that perfectly reflects the resourcefulness and beauty that inhabits the islands of Hawaii.
Illinois: Toyota Camry
The busy state of Illinois is home to deep-dish pizza, the Sears Tower, and is considered the financial capital of the Midwest. The average daily commute for most drivers in the state of Illinois is 28 minutes and the most popular car there is the Toyota Camry.
As most of the population lives in dense cities, drivers need something that can handle a lot of stop-and-go driving paired with the frigid temperatures and snow that occurs there annually.
Indiana: Chevrolet Malibu
Also known as the Hoosier State, Indiana is a place with close to seven million people and almost half of all of them own a vehicle and commute to work.
The average daily commuting time for a driver in Indiana is 23 minutes and the most popular car in the state is the Chevrolet Malibu. The Malibu is the perfect midsize car because of its gas mileage and nimble size to navigate city streets.
Kansas-Ford Focus
The Sunflower State is home to almost 3,000,000 people, and 82.4% of the working population commutes to work. The most popular car in Kansas, the Ford Focus is a compact fuel-efficient car that is ideal for the people that live there.
With an average daily commute time of 18 minutes one way, drivers in Kansas save a lot of money every year by choosing a car the Focus which has an entry price of $17,950.
Kentucky: Toyota Camry
Known for horse racing and fried chicken, Kentucky drivers prefer the Toyota Camry over other similar models. On average, a driver will have a 23-minute commute to work and the majority of households in Kentucky have at least two cars.
With the median income coming in over $12,000 less annually than the U.S. average, drivers need something that is affordable and reliable, making the Toyota Camry an ideal car for both the budget and longevity.
Louisiana: Nissan Altima
The crawfish capital of the world is home to almost five million people who drive an average of 25 minutes one way. The most popular car in the state is the Nissan Altima which comes as no surprise due to its price and flair, as the average household income comes in almost $15,000 less annually than the rest of the country.
The residents of Louisiana know how to have a good time and the Nissan Altima is the perfect car for that.
Maine: Ford Focus
In the state that produces 90% of the country's lobster supply, the residents of Maine are keen to recognize what affordable luxury looks like. Though Maine is smaller in terms of population with less than 1.5 million people, the average driver in Maine will face a daily commute of 23 minutes.
The Ford Focus is an ideal car for the people of Maine because of its compact size. The Focus is also very versatile and comes in a variety of styles and trim levels to suit almost any driver.
Maryland: Honda Accord
One could guess that drivers in Maryland have short commutes because of the size of the state, but that would be far from the truth. Drivers in the state of Maryland have one of the longest commutes in the country with an average of 32 minutes.
When you have a long commute to make, you want to drive something that will be great on gas which is why the Honda Accord is the state's most popular car.
Massachusetts: Honda Civic
A smaller state in size, Massachusetts is one that is long in commutes with an average 29-minute commute and a population of almost seven million people.
Space and efficiency are key here and that's what makes the Honda Civic the number one car in the state. Small yet agile and spacious on the inside, though it may look cramped, there is room to go around thanks to Honda’s amazing engineering.
Michigan: Chevrolet Malibu
In the Car Capital of the world, one could expect that the drivers in Michigan would choose nothing short of an amazing car. The Chevrolet Malibu is a combination of both sport and luxury and is perfect for Michigan residents.
The Malibu is a powerful midsize sedan that comes in at less than its competitors and delivers more. With an average commute time of 24 minutes, a Michigan driver will have a short ride but smooth ride with the Chevrolet Malibu.
Minnesota: Chevrolet Impala
In a state with over 15,000 lakes, and with one of the highest numbers of flour mills and butter plants, Minnesota takes the cake for being a place that has features in abundance.
The most popular car in Minnesota is the Chevrolet Impala which has a lot of space and sophistication. Though Minnesota is a larger state, the average commute is just 23 minutes so drivers have the flexibility to buy a car with more space and features like the Impala.
Mississippi: Nissan Altima
The Magnolia State, Mississippi is home to some of the most beautiful forests and scenery in the South. It's no wonder that the Nissan Altima is the most popular car in the state because of its beauty as well.
A mid-size sedan, the Altima proves time and time again that you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a nice fancy ride. With the Altima getting almost 30 mpg, drivers in Mississippi have plenty of fuel in the tank to go on long scenic rides.
Missouri: Chevrolet Impala
In the "Show Me State," residents know all too well about what it is to put their best foot in front of them. The Chevrolet Impala is an amazing car to show off, whether you are sporting the newest models or the classic wide-body machines they used to be.
The average driver in Missouri will spend roughly 23 minutes getting to work so it makes sense to choose a roomy car that's full of tech to keep you entertained.
Nebraska: Chevrolet Impala
What was once called "The Great American Desert" is now a bustling city with almost 2 million residents. Drivers in Nebraska will drive on average 18 minutes to work which is one of the shortest commutes in the country.
Even though the commute is short, the residents of Nebraska buy more Chevrolet Impalas over any other cars. When Chevrolet designed the Impala, they knew they wanted to give drivers both luxury and sport which is exactly what Nebraska drivers want.
Nevada: Toyota Camry
In the city full of glitz and glam, drivers want a car as glamorous and fun as they are, and that is why the Toyota Camry is the most popular car in the state. The average driver will commute 23 minutes one way so driving a car that gets over 30 mpg makes for a reliable car.
If that isn't enough then the Camry also has a base MSRP of $24,295 which makes it affordable so that the driver can spend more money on the strip and enjoying all of the entertainment.
New Jersey: Honda Accord
One of the smallest states by area, New Jersey is home to over nine million people. The average driver will spend 31 minutes driving to work one way, tipping it to the longer end of commutes in the U.S.
The Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan that is incredibly city-friendly with its design and gas mileage. The starting price of the Honda Accord is under $24,000, which makes it very affordable for a state with an average household income that is over $80,000 annually.
New Mexico: Honda Civic
In the "Green Chile Capital of the World," the Honda Civic reigns supreme as the most popular car among drivers. Drivers in New Mexico have a shorter commute of only 21 minutes so a Honda Civic is both practical and affordable.
Some pre-owned Honda Civics can cost as low as $5,000 which makes it a perfect entry-level car for someone on a budget. Honda's newest Civic has even more options with five different trims available for every driver.
New York: Honda Accord
One of the most popular cities in the world and home to over 19 million people, New Yorkers' car of choice is the Honda Accord. The Accord, one of Honda's biggest sellers, is its midsize entry car that is capable of driving busy people around in the city that never sleeps.
With extremely busy and crowded roads, the average commute for a driver in New York is 32 minutes one way, which makes the Accord a logical and smart choice.
North Carolina: Honda Accord
The state where the fathers of aviation come from, the car of choice in North Carolina is the Honda Accord. Located on the East Coast, North Carolina has amazing scenery that allows drivers to make the most out of a car that prides itself on being fuel-efficient and spacious.
Though North Carolina is a bigger state in area, there are over 10 million residents who call the state home and the Honda Accord is good for traffic and long trips to the coast.
Ohio: Honda Civic
Ohio is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Team and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Five million commuters drive 46 minutes every day back and forth to work here.
The Honda Civic is the car of choice for drivers in Ohio. It's a vehicle that reflects their culture and which has a solid reputation for being one of the best in its class as well as reliable.
Oklahoma: Nissan Altima
Oklahoma is a Southern state located right above Texas. Oklahoma is best known for the University of Oklahoma Sooners, the invention of the electric guitar, and "spooklights" which are bouncing bright balls of light in the sky.
With almost four million people living there, the average daily commute time is 42 minutes roundtrip. The Nissan Altima is the most popular car in Oklahoma and its spacious interior and modern technology package make it a fun car to drive.
Oregon: Honda Accord
Sitting in the top west corner of the U.S. is the state of Oregon. Known for its quirky yearly traditions and for being a part of the Wild West, Oregon is home to over four million people who drive an average of 46 minutes a day to get back and forth to work.
Opting for a midsize sedan, the Honda Accord is the most popular model bought and driven by people in the state of Oregon.
Pennsylvania: Nissan Altima
One of the original 13 colonies, Pennsylvania is in the Northeast of the U.S. next to Ohio. The state has a history of steel mills and popular black and gold sports professional sports teams and was recently nicknamed the Chocolate Capital of the U.S. due to the Hershey Chocolate Factory setting up large chocolate making facilities in Hershey, PA.
In a state that is becoming a popular technology hub, residents' car of choice is the Nissan Altima.
South Carolina: Honda Accord
The state of South Carolina is home to over five million people, out of which two million are employed. Nicknamed "The Palmetto State," South Carolina drivers will sit in traffic on average 46 minutes a day to get to and from work.
On the coast of South Carolina, which spans 187 miles, you can find gorgeous sub-tropical beaches. Like the gorgeous beaches on the coast, South Carolina drivers prefer a gorgeous car, the Honda Accord, as their ride of choice.
South Dakota: Chevrolet Impala
One of the least populated states in the country, less than one million people call South Dakota their home. Though growing in population, South Dakota is still most famous for the landmark Mount Rushmore.
Located in the northern half of the central U.S., South Dakota is a huge agricultural state. With large crops apparently comes the desire to own a large sedan which is why the Chevrolet Impala is the most popular car in the state.
Tennessee: Nissan Altima
Huge on energy research, Tennessee is known as the Energy Capital of the World and has over 3,800 documented caves as well as The Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is the most visited park in the United States.
Outside of its scientific and natural wonders, Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is considered the capital of country music. The Nissan Altima is the most popular car in the state and reflects Tennessee's energy, rhythm, and spirit.
Texas: Nissan Altima
One of the largest and most populated states in both space and people is the Lone Star state of Texas. Home to over 28 million people, the state is popular for its food, hot temperatures and live music. Texas got its nickname the "Lone Star State" from when it used to be its own independent republic.
Traffic in the large state can cause drivers to have a longer commute of almost 50 minutes daily. The most popular car for the independent and proud Texan is the Nissan Altima.
Utah: Honda Accord
A beautiful Western U.S. state filled with copper and brown hills, seven national monuments and dinosaur fossils, Utah has a population of over three million people.
At one time, Utah ranked number one as the state that consumed the most Jell-O per capita over the rest of the country. On any given day, a driver in Utah will spend 40 minutes in their car commuting, and residents there choose the Honda Accord as their most preferred.
Virginia: Honda Accord
The birthplace of the United States, Virginia is where the first English settlement was located. Virginia sits on the East Coast of the U.S. and is considered the Internet Capital of the World as more than 70% of the world's internet usage travels through the state.
With over eight million residents, a person heading to work can expect an almost 30-minute ride one way. The high-tech residents of Virginia drive more Honda Accords than any other car in the state.
Washington: Honda Civic
The state of Washington sits at the border of Canada and the United States in the top westernmost corner of the United States. Washington is popular for being the birthplace of one of the wealthiest men in the world, Bill Gates, and the largest producer of apples in the country.
Washington is the most glaciated state in the country with over 3,000 glaciers spread out across its vast landscape. The Honda Civic is the most popular car among residents and drivers there.
West Virginia: Ford Focus
With almost two million residents, West Virginia is considered one of the most beautiful states to visit in the U.S. because of its mountains and large colorful forests.
Sitting almost in the middle of the southern and northern halves of the U.S., West Virginia isn't fully considered either. To explore the state and ride through the daily average commute of 50 minutes, West Virginians choose the Ford Focus.
Wisconsin: Chevy Impala
A leading dairy producer and the "Toilet Paper Capital" of the world, the state of Wisconsin has also been called “America's Dairyland.” The residents of Wisconsin combined consume over 20 million gallons of ice cream annually and it's the home of the first-ever ice cream sundae.
Possibly in order to pack so much ice cream into their cars, the people of Wisconsin decided to drive more Chevy Impalas, which are the most popular cars in the state.
