Houston Vehicle Sales Hit All-Time High in 2025, But December Dip Reveals What Buyers Want in 2026
Car dealerships across Greater Houston rang in 2026 on a high note, closing out a record-setting year for new vehicle sales. According to the latest data from the Greater Houston Partnership and TexAuto Facts published by InfoNation, Inc., local drivers bought 386,201 new cars, trucks, and SUVs in 2025—the highest number ever recorded in the region.
The previous record of 376,481 vehicles, set in 2015, was finally surpassed—thanks in large part to surging demand for trucks and SUVs, which made up more than 80% of all vehicles sold.
Houston’s Top Picks: Trucks and SUVs Rule the Roads
The Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 continued to dominate the Houston market in 2025, reflecting both state and regional buying patterns. According to registration data from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and S&P Global Mobility, the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado consistently rank as the top-selling vehicles in Texas, with the Greater Houston area among the largest markets for both models.
In the SUV category, compact and mid-size crossovers topped the charts for suburban families and daily commuters alike. Models such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Chevrolet Tahoe ranked among the most popular across Houston dealerships, according to Edmunds' 2025 regional sales report, which noted a 12% increase in demand for the RAV4 and CR-V in major Texas metros.
SUV and Truck Sales Climb—Cars Slide Further
The annual chart included in the report shows a decade-long decline in car sales, which fell to just 73,000 units in 2025—less than half the volume seen in 2015. Meanwhile, trucks and SUVs surged to 313,000, a growth trend driven by lifestyle needs, larger households, and Houston’s wide roads and suburban spread.
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This shift was also reflected in December's data:
- Domestic brand trucks/SUVs made up 8,872 of 9,267 retail units sold
- Import truck/SUV sales fell 17.3%, but still made up 73% of import brand sales
- Car sales dropped sharply, with import cars down 21% and domestic cars down 18.7%
The dominance of trucks and SUVs in Houston isn’t just about size—it’s about utility. Pickup trucks remain essential for industries like oil and gas, construction, and agriculture, while SUVs offer comfort, space, and safety features for growing families.
Sticker Prices Rise—But So Does Demand
Even with prices nudging upward, buyers kept spending:
- Average new vehicle price in Houston: $52,370 (up from $51,495 in Dec. 2024)
- Trucks/SUVs averaged $55,448
- Cars averaged $38,968, slightly down year-over-year
Local auto market reports from Cars.com and TrueCar confirmed that Houston buyers in 2025 were more likely to opt for higher trims and tech packages, especially in high-demand models like the Chevy Tahoe Premier and Toyota Grand Highlander XLE.
Electric & Hybrid Interest Grows in 2026
While Houston remains a truck- and SUV-heavy market, interest in electric and hybrid options continues to climb. Google Trends data and Electrek's 2025 regional EV search report show increasing local interest in:
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
- Kia EV6
- Chevrolet Equinox EV
These vehicles are especially popular in Houston neighborhoods like Midtown, Heights, Pearland, and The Woodlands, where early EV adoption and charging access are more widespread.
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2026 Outlook: What Houston Buyers Might Do Next
Despite a softer December—sales fell 14.4% from December 2024—the overall 2025 performance shows Houston’s auto market is still revving strong. Retail experts predict continued strength in the SUV market, further price stabilization, and rising hybrid/EV uptake in 2026.
For now, Houston remains a driving city—where big vehicles, bold features, and long-haul reliability are what most residents still want in a new ride.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
