When it comes to car shopping, curiosity drives the search. Whether people are eyeing their next ride, comparing options, or just dreaming about their ideal vehicle, online searches reveal what's capturing attention. By analyzing Google search trends across all 50 states, we get a snapshot of which brands and models are in the spotlight — both nationwide and regionally.

Key Takeaways

• Toyota is the most searched car brand in the U.S.
• The Ford Bronco ranks as the second most searched vehicle model.
• Ford F-150, America's best-selling truck, comes in at No. 14 in model search rankings.
• Tesla Model 3 remains a strong contender, ranking No. 5 among the most searched vehicles.
• Subaru Legacy leads as the most searched model in 14% of states.
• Ram (+19%), Rivian (+18%), and Hummer (+16%) have seen the biggest spikes in search interest.

The Most Googled Cars and Trucks in America

Car shopping starts with curiosity, and search trends give us a glimpse into what's on everyone's minds. From trusted favorites to rising stars, here's a look at the most searched car brands and models across the U.S.

Toyota emerged as the most searched car brand in the U.S., edging out Tesla, which landed in second place. Honda, Ram, and Ford rounded out the top five.

On the model level, the Honda Civic claimed the top spot as the most searched car overall. The Ford Bronco wasn't far behind, ranking second, while the Tesla Model Y took third. Tesla continued to dominate interest, with the Model 3 securing the No. 5 spot among the most searched vehicles.

Truck searches told a slightly different story compared to actual sales. The Toyota Tacoma, a longtime favorite among midsize trucks, ranked at No. 11, while the Ford F-150 came in with fewer searches at No. 14

State-by-State Car Search Trends

While some car brands and models dominate searches nationwide, others generate more interest in specific states. Looking at search trends on a state level reveals regional favorites that don't always match up with national rankings — or the country's best-selling vehicles.  

Subaru stood out as the most searched car brand by state, leading in 28% of states. Among domestic automakers, Ford ranked as the most searched brand in 18% of states, while GMC and Chevrolet led in 12% and 8% of states, respectively.

On the model level, the Subaru Legacy was the most searched vehicle in 14% of states, making it the top model regionally. The GMC Terrain followed closely, leading searches in 10% of states. This contrasts with actual sales, where the Toyota RAV4 holds the title as the best-selling SUV but didn't lead in search interest at the state level.

Electric vehicle search trends also revealed some surprises. While the Tesla Model Y is the country's best-selling EV, it wasn't the most searched in every state. Instead, the Nissan Leaf captured the highest EV search interest in 6% of states, and the Polestar 2 led in 2%.

Truck searches followed a similar pattern. While the Toyota Land Cruiser isn't a top seller in the U.S., it captured the most search interest in 10% of states. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado — America's two best-selling trucks — didn't see the same level of search dominance at the state level. The Silverado was the most searched truck in North Carolina, but the only Ford model to lead in state-level searches was the Fusion car.

 Car Brand Popularity: Who's Rising and Who's Falling?

Consumer interest in car brands shifts every year, with some automakers gaining momentum while others see a decline in online searches. Recent trends show growing interest in trucks, electric vehicles, and luxury brands, while some longtime favorites struggle to stay relevant.

Ram saw the biggest year-over-year surge in search interest, climbing 19.4%, with Rivian (18.3%) and Hummer (15.9%) close behind. Luxury and performance brands also gained traction, with McLaren (15%), Lexus (12.5%), and Porsche (6.4%) all seeing notable growth. American automakers remained strong, with Lincoln(11.7%), Cadillac (7.4%), BMW (7.3%), and Chevrolet (5.2%) all posting growth.

On the other hand, Jaguar took the hardest hit, with searches dropping 34.2%, followed by Polestar (-26.4%). Other premium brands, including Audi (-7.5%), Mercedes-Benz (-7.1%), and Volvo (-6.9%), also saw declines. Even Land Rover (-11%) lost momentum despite its strong presence in the SUV market.

 What's Driving Car Search Trends in 2025  

 Trucks remain a major focus in vehicle search trends, but not always in the way you'd expect. While the Ford F-150 is America's best-selling truck, it didn't dominate searches, with models like the Toyota Tacoma and even the Land Cruiser generating more interest in certain states. Meanwhile, brands like Ram and Rivian are gaining momentum, reflecting a growing curiosity about both traditional and electric trucks. These shifting trends show how online searches can hint at what's next for trucks and what buyers are looking for.  

Methodology

 We analyzed Google search volume data from January 2022 to January 2025 to determine the most searched car brands in each U.S. state. The growth percentages displayed reflect only the most recent year's change, from 2023 to 2024. Our analysis examined search trends for 50 different car brands and 105 car models across all 50 states. To ensure reliability, only keywords with a consistent upward trend over the three-year period were considered. We ranked the top trending car brands and models in each state using a difference-from-the-mean calculation to highlight significant deviations in search volume.  

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Fair Use Statement

These insights are available for noncommercial sharing with a citation link.