Most Popular Vehicles on MSN Autos

Believe it or not, the RAV4 is one of the biggest trendsetters in automotive history. When it debuted in the mid-1990s it was, if not the first crossover SUV, then that category's first hit: a compact cargo-hauler that nudged the station wagon deeper into the tar pits. Now in its third generation, the 2012 RAV4 has the same core appeal — an unfussy, versatile mover of families and their things — and offers a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder or 3.5-liter V6 engine. In a possible bid to stay ahead of its rival, the Honda CR-V, it's also available with a third row of seats.

Read:  Consumer Reports' 2012 Top Picks

Like other models on this list, the Accord is the victim of casual scorn from car snobs and critics. But it's earned its ubiquity, with consistent value and a build quality that helped upend Detroit's approach to making cars. The current model is roomy, efficient (34 mpg highway with the base 4-cylinder engine) and durable enough to maintain the sedan's traditionally high resale value. But as the Kia Optima continues to gain traction with its bolder styling and comparable price — both start at around $21,000 — don't be surprised if the stubbornly staid Accord slips right off this list.

View Slideshow:  Best Passenger Cars for Your Money

The Elantra isn't beating the Toyota Corolla in sales, but there's a reason so many users are reading up on it. Like all of Hyundai's recent offerings, this compact sedan is grabbing attention by taking styling chances, found in the Elantra's arched headlights and distinctive arcing body lines. For those still grappling with the notion of good, or even great, cars coming from South Korea, Hyundai throws in small but enticing standard features, such as Bluetooth connectivity and a mileage-boosting ActiveEco mode that helps get the Elantra to its mileage figures of 40 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined.

Read:  Elantra wins 2012 Car of the Year

Imagine a pickup truck. Chances are that the model in your head is an F-Series, the iconic line of Ford trucks that has defined the category for more than a half-century. The F-150 sits comfortably on its throne, with more towing power than any full-size pickup — 11,300 pounds — and a crowd-pleasing nine trims, including the somewhat confusing top-end, black-and-chrome Harley-Davidson edition. Engine choices range from a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 to a 6.2-liter V8, and rumors persist that Ford is developing a 40-mpg hydraulic hybrid model.

Watch Video:  2012 Ford F-150

The CR-V has been dueling with the Toyota RAV4 since its release, and it remains one of the segment leaders among crossover SUVs. With similar handling, features and sticker prices — both start at around $23,000 — the main difference between this model and its arch-nemesis is cosmetic; the CR-V looks less like a truck and more like a great big Civic, thanks to a roofline that tips more steeply in back. Also, the CR-V doesn't humor lingering fantasies of driving excitement, with nothing but 4-cylinder engines to pick from, whereas the RAV4 still offers an optional V6.

Read:  2012 Honda CR-V: First Drive

In its sport sedan incarnation, the 3-Series is the platonic ideal of the Bimmer that non-millionaires might actually buy — fast but not ridiculously so, and gorgeous without being gaudy. The 3-Series has been a sales hit and critical darling since it first arrived on the heels of the '70s oil crisis, and the current lineup includes everything from the classic sedan with its baseline turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder or hybrid power plant, to a wagon, a coupe and a convertible with a turbocharged 3-liter V6.

View Pictures:  New BMWs in New York

It's vehicles like the Focus that can take credit for Ford's resurgence. The compact turned heads with an all-electric version in 2011, and the 2012 redesign has made it a top pick among car journalists. It's priced in line with a Corolla — $16,500 to start — but sports a more distinctive look, impressive fuel economy of up to 40 mpg highway, and an interior that seems above its pay grade. The 5-door 2013 Ford Focus ST, due in late 2012, should keep the model's momentum going, with its sport suspension, 18-inch wheels and performance-tweaked 2-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

Read:  High-Mileage Cars to Beat Gas Prices

Though sporty, even race-inspired, SUVs continue to make waves at car shows, it's the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee that people are actually interested in taking home. It's not pretty or particularly menacing. It is what it is: a beefy, 5-passenger, luxury light truck, with the option to follow other Jeeps off-road. For $27,000 it comes standard with a powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine and an unpretentiously classy wood and leather interior. Upgrades include improved 4-wheel-drive handling, Hill Assist modes for perilously steep inclines, and a throaty 5.7-liter V8 or thunderous 6.4-liter V8 Hemi engine.

See: New 4WD SUVs Under $30,000

Again, our readers reflect the national consensus: The second most commonly researched vehicle on MSN Autos is arguably the most popular SUV in history. The Explorer is iconic to a fault, becoming a flashpoint for SUV safety concerns after a spate of rollovers and subsequent tire recalls in the early 2000s. But the brand survived and has remained popular as a family-friendly model. The Explorer has also garnered attention with a forward-looking powerplant choice: either the classic 3.5-liter V6 or the new 2-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which bumps fuel economy from 25 to 28 mpg highway, equivalent to many crossovers.

Watch Video:  2012 Ford Explorer

Of course the Camry is the most studied model on MSN Autos. The seventh-generation midsize sedan is the top-selling car in the United States. Would-be usurpers are out there, particularly the ascendant Korean sedans, the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata. But the Camry's biggest selling point remains its reliability; as of 2011, 90 percent produced since 1996 were on the road. It's a statistic that Toyota often boasts about, and one that's well-deserved. It also proves that our readers might come for the supercars, but they stay for confirmation that even the most obvious purchasing choice should still be an educated one.

Compare: Toyota Camry vs. Kia Optima vs. Hyundai Sonata

For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

-Toyota RAV4
-Honda Accord
-Hyundai Elantra
-Ford F-150
-Honda CR-V
-BMW 3-Series
-Ford Focus
-Jeep Grand Cherokee
-Ford Explorer
-Toyota Camry

Compare: All 10 Vehicles

Based out of the Boston area, Erik Sofge is frequent contributor to Popular Mechanics and Slate.com. He specializes in everything scientific and technical.

See what's trending and why in real time on msnNOW.

Like us on MSN Autos Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Find new and used cars with our mobile app.

• Visit MSN Autos' "Exhaust Notes" blog to keep up on all things automotive.
• In the market for a new car? MSN Autos is pleased to provide you with information and services designed to save you time, money and hassle. Click to research prices and specifications on any new car on the market or get a free price quote through MSN Autos' New-Car Buying Service.