Californian’s top vehicle choices of 2026 revealed

June 4, 2026

Newly released vehicle registration data has revealed the models Californians couldn’t get enough of in the first part of 2026, with Tesla and Toyota dominating the state’s rankings.

The latest California Auto Outlook report found more than 416,000 new vehicles were registered across the Golden State in the first three months of 2026.

At the top of the rankings was the Tesla Model Y. Getty Images

The report found a significant drop in California new light vehicle registrations. Declining 8.9 percent during the first three months of this year versus the same period in 2025.

At the top of the rankings was the Tesla Model Y.

Whether Californians were shopping for an EV, a sedan or a light truck, Tesla and Toyota remained the brands to beat in 2025. [Tesla Model 3 EV] Getty Images

The electric SUV led both the EV and light truck categories, recording 22,907 registrations in Q1 of 2026. No other vehicle came close. The Honda CR-V moved up the list, now the second-best-selling light truck in California, finished more than 10,000 registrations behind the Model Y.

Tesla’s dominance didn’t end there. The Model 3 ranked fourth among EVs and was also the fifth-best-selling passenger vehicle in the state.


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Toyota remained California’s top-selling automotive brand overall in 2025 with a 17.8% market share. [Toyota Camry Hybrid] Getty Images

Toyota, meanwhile, maintained a commanding presence across all three categories.

The Camry Hybrid secured the No. 2 spot among EVs with 14,903 registrations, while the Camry topped California’s passenger vehicle rankings with 14,905 registrations. Toyota also landed the RAV4 Hybrid on the EV list and placed both the RAV4 and Tacoma among the state’s five most popular light trucks.

Honda also posted a strong showing. The CR-V Hybrid ranked third among EVs, while the CR-V ranked second among light trucks in California. The Civic also finished second among passenger vehicles.

Toyota remained California’s top-selling automotive brand overall in 2025 with a 17.8% market share, followed by Honda at 10.8% [Honda Civic] Getty Images

The rankings come as Californians continue embracing electrified vehicles. The report found that zero-emission vehicles accounted for 13.7% of all new vehicle registrations in the first quarter of 2026, while hybrids accounted for another 20.9% of the market. Combined, nearly 35% of all new vehicles registered so far this year in California were either electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell powered.

Honda also posted a strong showing. The Civic also finished third among passenger vehicles. [Honda Accord] Getty Images

Toyota remained California’s top-selling automotive brand overall so far in 2026 with a 19% market share, followed by Honda at 10.4% and Ford at 7.9%.

Here are the vehicles Californians bought most in Q1 of 2026:

Top 5 Passenger Vehicles in California

  1. Toyota Camry — 14,905 registrations
  2. Honda Civic — 12,806
  3. Toyota Corolla — 10,355
  4. Honda Accord — 7,015
  5. Tesla Model 3 — 5,688

Top 5 EVs in California

  1. Tesla Model Y — 22,907 registrations
  2. Toyota Camry Hybrid — 14,903
  3. Honda CR-V Hybrid — 8,315
  4. Tesla Model 3 — 5,688
  5. Honda Civic Hybrid — 5,507

Top 5 Light Trucks in California

  1. Tesla Model Y — 22,907 registrations
  2. Honda CR-V — 12,654
  3. Toyota Tacoma — 12,129
  4. Toyota RAV4 — 12,003
  5. Ford F-Series — 9,337

Whether Californians were shopping for an EV, a sedan or a light truck, Tesla and Toyota remained the brands to beat so far in 2026.

A white Tesla Model Y on display at a dealership.
At the top of the rankings was the Tesla Model Y. Getty Images
White Tesla Model 3 cruising in a downtown district.
Whether Californians were shopping for an EV, a sedan or a light truck, Tesla and Toyota remained the brands to beat in 2025. [Tesla Model 3 EV] Getty Images
White Toyota Camry Hybrid cruising on I-45 in Houston, Texas.
Toyota remained California’s top-selling automotive brand overall in 2025 with a 17.8% market share. [Toyota Camry Hybrid] Getty Images
A tan 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport sedan is parked outside a dealership.
Toyota remained California’s top-selling automotive brand overall in 2025 with a 17.8% market share, followed by Honda at 10.8% [Honda Civic] Getty Images
A black Honda Accord sedan traveling down a highway in moderate traffic.
Honda also posted a strong showing. The Civic also finished third among passenger vehicles. [Honda Accord] Getty Images

  

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