The Biggest Winners and Losers in Auto Sales in Q1 2024

The first three months of 2024 have flown by, and with the first quarter of the year coming to a close we are taking a deep dive into the numbers to see which car models and automakers came out on top. We will update our list of the 25 bestselling cars, trucks, and SUVs when all of the information is available, but here we are pulling out a few of the most interesting details we found when combing through the sales reports, presenting the biggest winners of Q1, along with a few models and brands that need to turn it around in the second quarter of 2024.

The first three months of 2024 have flown by. With the first quarter of the year coming to a close, we are taking a deep dive into the numbers to see which car models and automakers came out on top. We will update our list of the 25 bestselling cars, trucks, and SUVs when all of the information is available, but here we are pulling out a few of the most interesting details we found when combing through the sales reports, presenting the biggest winners of Q1, along with a few models and brands that need to turn it around in the second quarter of 2024.

Winner: Subcompact SUVs

The smallest crossovers proved popular over the first few months of 2024. After bursting onto the scene last year, the second-generation Chevrolet Trax continued its rejuvenation with 37,588 sales in the first quarter of 2024, while the Honda HR-V saw a 44 percent jump year-over-year with 38,062 units sold. The Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross also impressed with 28,496 and 19,028 sales, respectively, increases of 43 and 31 percent. Customers seem to be hungry for more affordable transport in a time where the cost of living is continually rising.

Winner: BMW X1

BMW launched a new sharply styled X1 for 2023, prompting a 196 percent leap in sales last year to 21,042 units, the model's best performance in four years. The small luxury crossover continued its strong results to start 2024, recording 6012 sales, up by 90 percent over the same time last year.

Winner: Lincoln

The Lincoln lineup had an incredible first quarter, up by 32 percent overall. The biggest drivers of growth were the brand's smallest crossover, the Corsair (up 56 percent to 6286 units), and the Nautilus (up 68 percent to 9231 units). The Aviator also experienced a 19 percent rise, with only the Navigator down. As the overhauled 2024 Nautilus reaches dealer lots and with the refreshed 2025 Aviator arriving later this year, Lincoln's upwards momentum might have legs.

Winner: Volkswagen Hot Hatches

Despite a wonky infotainment interface, we love the driving dynamics of Volkswagen's two hot hatches, so we are happy to see sales of both sporty compact cars significantly rise in the first quarter. The GTI registered 2412 units, up 156 percent from the same period in 2023, while the Golf R collected 1233 sales, a 125 percent increase. The GTI and Golf R are losing their manual transmission option after the 2024 model year, so we'll see if sales of these enthusiast-focused vehicles keep up once they go auto-only.

Winner: Small Nissans

Along with subcompact crossovers, further proof that buyers want cheaper vehicles comes via Nissan's smallest cars, the Versa and Sentra. The subcompact Versa sedan, which starts at just $17,530, saw its sales jump by 92 percent to 7474 units. The $22,030 Sentra proved far more popular, with 40,081 units sold—a 78 percent rise for the first quarter of 2024.