Ever wonder which car is present in your state more than in other states? Well, that’s what this article is about.

Be careful: the wording of the first sentence above matters a lot. This article doesn’t necessarily look at the most popular car in your state. Because if that was the case, you probably already know the answer: either Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado or Ram trucks. Just those top-three manufacturers sold more than 1.8M trucks combined in 2015 (goodcarbadcar.net), the year of our interest, and we didn’t even count the rest of the manufacturers.

The article is adapted from a study published by Popular Mechanics. As they rightfully state, listing the most popular cars in each of these states would lead to a list full of pickups. So what they did was look at which car was the “most distinctive in each state.” They got the data from IHS Automotive in 2015 and analyzed the numbers for each make and model sold in the US. Then they brought in the state factor and looked at the data at the state level. Using ratios, they were able to see which car was more liked by one state compared to the national average.

The interesting part is that the registration information came from the DMV, so there were minimal biases in terms of sampling.

So let’s dive into the first 25 states, alphabetically.

25 ALABAMA: KIA FORTE

The Kia Forte was officially brought into the production world in 2008; it’s still in production. And if you check out the sales figure from the kiamedia.com, you’ll note that the US seems to be liking the car more and more each year. And, of course, when I say “US,” you can pretty much substitute the word “Alabama” for it without being terribly wrong. After all, Alabama had the strongest itch for this car.

The car is currently priced at $17K. And not only does it save you some money there, but with a 38-mpg-highway fuel economy, it saves you money every day that you drive it. Plus, the car has as many luxury features as you’d like it to have. At no point will you get tired of the standard features that some of the manufacturers cut corners on.

Here’s Edmunds resounding the greatness of the car: “The 2017 Kia Forte receives mildly updated front-end styling with available adaptive xenon headlights, plus new taillights (with available LED lighting). There's a new S sedan trim level with sporty accents and a firmer suspension, and the sedan's base engine is now a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is rated to deliver slightly better overall fuel economy than the discontinued 1.8-liter unit.”

24 ALASKA: SUBARU WRX

While it’s easy to say this state is cold, let’s keep in mind this state is big, like, really big, such that there are various climate zones. The topmost part is arctic-like brutal—so temperatures in the negative 50s Fahrenheit are a daily occurrence—but when you come to the middle and lower zone, you find the mood changing, as the temperatures become more humane (quora.com). And that’s where the Subaru WRX kicks in. The open field and open roads are inviting for a Subaru WRX owner.

The car is appreciated by car enthusiasts because of the inception and history of this car. Being born to compete in rally races, the car was always quick. And that capability is seen even in the current WRX. There’s the no-drama acceleration and neck-straining cornering; of course, the soul of the car is beast-like too.

Here’s what C/D had to say: “All hopped up with a hood scoop, flared fenders, and a hot-rod engine under the hood, the WRX is an Impreza on steroids. It’s available only as a sedan with a 268-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four, all-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual. A CVT is optional, but of course the manual is more fun to drive despite its wide ratios.”

23 ARIZONA: FIAT 500L

Fiat 500L hasn’t been that long in the game—only since 2012. The car looks so-so, meaning some people like it while others despise it. However, this car is not doing particularly well and, in fact, the entire Fiat gig is not doing well. Forbes states that is due to the limited product line, despite the car being part of a country that is praised for car designs.

The Fiat 124 Spider is doing decent, but its audience is rather diminutive; the Fiat 500 is adorable, but unfortunately, its powertrain is weak at best and flat out impotent at worst.

And that brings us to the 500L, the big guy. The cargo area is rather humongous. You and your family can get lost inside the car for sure. But when you start driving the car, you’ll soon discover that the car was a lost cause. Despite the promises, the engine just doesn’t deliver (Forbes).

Nonetheless, according to popularmechanics.com, “In Arizona, the Fiat 500L sells at 238 percent of the national average, while the Fiat 500 sells at 1.7 times the national average.” I’m not sure what the Fiat 500L offers to Arizonians, but it clearly does captivate them more than the rest of the states.

22 ARKANSAS: GMC YUKON

You truly don’t understand the size of one of these things until you’re forced to park them in a tight parking spot. Here’s C/D recounting the experience: “Parking or maneuvering a vehicle that is seven feet wide (including big mirrors) and 224 inches long can be a challenge. Indeed, while testing the GMC, a tight parking lot put the SUV’s safety features through their paces. Proximity sensors were buzzing front and back, cross-path detection chimed as others navigated around the monster SUV, and the transmission and shifter (and the driver) got a workout while making something like a six-point turn to slot the beast into a narrow space.”

Even if the parking was not the problem, you must have had to choose between this and the mechanically equivalent Chevy Tahoe. And as is the case most of the time, the GM product comes out a little more expensive than the Chevy product, despite the powertrain, chassis, etc., being the same—except for the interior and slight external differences. Of course, GM boasts that its vehicles have a little more luxury, hence the price tag. And the folks of Arkansas buy into that. Compared to the national average, GMC Yukon sells at 407% the national average. And it’s not only the Yukon that’s an Arkansas favorite; GMC in general does well.

21 CALIFORNIA: KIA SOUL EV

The Kia Soul EV made its debut in 2015. When C/D did a review of the car, the journalists were disappointed. “Function, of course, is relative. In the utility sense, Kia’s electric hatchback is an electron-powered pack mule. But as a form of mobility, the Soul EV still has a functional deficit. Its 27-kWh battery pack is good for an EPA-rated driving range of just 93 miles, two miles better than the average we saw during our testing.” That 93-mile range was just not going to cut it at that time, especially when the Chevy Bolt was to hit the market with its 238-mile range.

On top of that, the car was only available in ten states at that time (California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington).

Fast forward to 2018, and the EV gets an increase to 111 miles. Okay, it’s an improvement, but not where it needs to be; the VW e-Golf and Hyundai Ioniq Electric beat it easily. So the likely reason for the ownership of this car was its use as a second car within the city confines. And in that case, the stylish exterior probably helped it rise among the crowd.

20 COLORADO: NISSAN XTERRA

Produced since 1995, the car had a production run only until 2015, at which point it was discontinued; apparently, the fuel economy wasn’t improving, sales were dwindling, and it wasn’t the best in the safety and emissions game. The car was a rival of the Jeep Wrangler, but let’s face it, there hasn’t been a match to the Wrangler so far. Despite not being a strong contender, the car had some strong features. The off-road capability was awesome, thanks to its durable cabin and a truck-based background.

However, it was a gas-guzzler, giving 16 mpg city and 22 highways in the two-wheel drive and even lower in the four-wheel drive. Instead of improving, Nissan thought it was best to let it go.

The car also had a decent number of issues from daily drivers of it. Here’s what one had to say: “I bought a new off the showcase 2007 Xterra at the Miami Lake Palmetos dealership. First, the rim of the front tire had a pin-sized hole, leaking air from 40 psi to 15 psi—the fuel line gauge took $600 to fix. … Go to Toyota, No 1, those Toyotas run forever.”

All said, Colorado bought it 524% times more than the national average rate.

19 CONNECTICUT: SUBARU IMPREZA

Connecticut wasn’t a big fan of the Impreza WRX, but did want something along the tradition of the Impreza, hence it bought about nine Imprezas per two Imprezas bought by the nation at large. Unfortunately, while the WRXs were enjoyed by the public and automotive journalists alike, the Impreza wasn’t exactly praised in the reviews, to put it lightly. While the car is manual, which is the very first thing that excites a car enthusiast, this one (the 2017 model year) was not liked. The shifter butchered the driving experience with its imprecise timing.

And then there was the mediocre engine. It just wasn’t likable either, with the main complaint being that the horses are not released until the RMP needle has done a lot of work. In other words, people were spoiled by the mightier turbocharged available in the WRX.

Here’s how C/D summarized it: “Standard all-wheel drive makes the Impreza a trusty all-season companion, but it does little to excite enthusiast drivers. Both hatchback and sedan models get a 152-hp 2.0-liter flat-four with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. Base models have a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the other three trims get an 8.0-inch screen. Subaru’s EyeSight active safety tech is optional and includes adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking.”

18 DELAWARE: VOLVO S80

While the production run of the car was only 18 years, it was stuck in the second generation for 10 years. That’s a pretty long time to be stuck in a generation, although it did have some updates and a litany of powertrain options. These cars looked sleek, but over time, the design started lagging behind.

Here’s how one of the websites put it: “The S80 rates poorly for predicted reliability, and its dated styling and conservative performance leave something to be desired. There are better options in this class, including the 2016 Lexus ES and 2016 Hyundai Genesis” (cars.usnews.com).

So Volvo discontinued the S80 in 2016 and started the production of S90, which is essentially a successor, although that’s not how Volvo likes to sell it officially. The S90 is just one shiny, well-designed and well-appointed car. I mean, the exterior is extremely straightforward and sensible, yet tantalizing.

Going back to S80, here’s what popularmechanics.com said: “In Delaware, the Volvo S80 sells at 345 percent the national average.” But Delaware is not only into Volvo: “Aston Martin Vantage's market share in Delaware is more than two and a half times its U.S. market share.” The lack of sales tax must be helping the consumers in affording expensive cars, huh?

17 FLORIDA: BMW 760

Florida is a relatively rich state, and I’ll tell you why. First of all, just take a look at what the people of Florida prefer to drive. It’s a BMW 7-Series, the full-size luxury sedan. That right there should say something about the wealth of the people living in Florida. Plus, it’s mostly retired people who live down there, so they have saved plenty during their lifetime to be able to afford such luxuries.

And as PopularMechanics states, “In Florida, the BMW 760 sells at 623 percent the national average.” Folks, if you round that down, it comes to a 6:1 ratio. For each BMW 760 sold nationwide, Florida consumes six.

But that’s not what made me say that Florida drivers are rich. It’s the fact that “three Rolls Royce models, including the Phantom, Ghost and Wraith, all have market shares in Florida more than three times their national averages.” There you go, these people are using RR like it’s an everyday candy. Do you know what kind of services RR offers? You don’t have to pick a configuration in such cars. You tell the designers to make a configuration that best suits your needs. So, that’s why it’s a rich state in terms of drivers.

16 GEORGIA: NISSAN LEAF

This car was judged unfairly on the show Top Gear by Jeremey Clarkson and the other two presenters in 2011. Jeremy Clarkson drove the car and showed that it had run out of battery in the middle of his drive, when the internal data showed the car was never fully charged at the beginning of the test drive. Nissan said that the BBC was misleading viewers—imagine the public’s reaction to your company’s car being pushed by the driver because the car had run out of battery charge. But as usual, the BBC denied that it had misled the viewers (telegraph.co.uk.).

Nonetheless, out of all the states, Georgia didn’t seem to be influenced by the review of the car, consuming the Leaf at 1,523% of the national average. That’s in thousands, in case you had missed it. But a lot of that was due to the behemoth state tax credit.

Here’s a quick snapshot from Edmunds: “Though the Nissan Leaf has received incremental changes over its lifetime, 2018 brings the most comprehensive rework of the car to date. The new car's styling is a complete departure from the previous Leaf, although under the skin the cars are very similar aside from the larger battery capacity and additional power.”

15 HAWAII: TOYOTA TACOMA

The Tacoma is a sharp pickup truck. Currently in its third generation, the truck offers a 159-HP, 2.7L I4 in the base model. However, those thirsty for power can be calmed with a 3.5L V6 that generates 278 horses. The truck is really civilized on the roads and will behave exactly how you tell it to (except for the sloppy steering wheel at low speeds). The cabin is quiet too unless, of course, you get those big off-road tires, at which point I don’t think you’d be concerned with the interior noise. While the interior is posh, there’s one huge trouble. The 2017 model year doesn’t allow for height adjustment in the driver seat though, so if you’re tall or short, you’ll have some difficulty.

Here’s what C/D had to say about the car: “Order tacos, and it’s inevitable that you’ll be asked whether you’d like a soft- or hard-shell tortilla. The same is true for tacos of the four-wheeled variety. Want a soft-shell Toyota Tacoma? Stick with the city-slickin’ Limited and TRD Sport models. But if you want a hard-shell truck formed with chunks of broken glass for added crunch? Look no further than the Tacoma’s burly TRD Pro.”

Hawaii buys seven Tacomas per one bought by the nation as whole.

14 IDAHO: SUBARU OUTBACK

First of all, the SUV looks nice, having that crossover look. You get that car-like shape and the SUV-like features. One of the best things about this vehicle is that it’s reasonably priced. There are not a lot of SUV that you can get for $26K. And even if you manage to find one, it will be difficult to find one that has the qualities of this crossover: plenty of space, practical interior design, quiet ride and high ground-clearance. Plus, the Outlook has beat others in its class in terms of fuel economy.

Idaho has a thing for this vehicle, but it’s only 175% more than the national average—or 275 times the national average, which is obviously more than the national average, but not astonishingly high.

Here’s what Edmunds had to say about the 2017 Outlook: “The Outback is a midsize wagon with standard all-wheel drive and about the same ground clearance as a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's definitely an alternative choice but also checks so many practical boxes that it's a must-drive for anyone looking for a reasonably priced crossover SUV. The Outback has the interior space of midsize models such as the Ford Edge and Kia Sorento, but its lower roof makes it easier to load gear.”

13 ILLINOIS: DODGE CARAVAN

The minivan is okay. It has its lovers, but they are few and far between. Part of the problem with this car is at the corporate level; the parent company is just not guided by the right people. For instance, FCA Australia executives had a huge scandal in 2015, where the executives were squandering company money like the company was growing money. Vacation, lavish parties and the likes were all done on the company’s dime. And it was not like it was some middle-level corporate guy, who started messing around after he found a loophole; these were folks whose position was near the top of the ladder (Jalopnik). A part of you has to be able to connect the dots and realize that money is not being spent where it should be within this dying manufacturer.

However, as you already know, Chrysler wasn’t always like this. As a Quora user states: “Chrysler has made some engines that were well-known for their exceptional reliability and durability. The ‘Slant 6’ engine, popular in Chrysler vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s, had a reputation as running forever. Chrysler's 3.3L and 3.8L V6 engines, which were produced from 1990 to 2011, were very popular in minivans and also had an excellent reputation for reliability.” But things are not good with this Minivan, as demonstrated by the review.

12 INDIANA: BUICK ENCORE

If you were wondering who was buying Buicks in the US, well, here’s the culprit. Indiana buys this car 149% more than the nation at large. Of course, that comes out to be five cars in the state per two nationally—which is not that high—but is still something.

The Buick Encore a type of piece of work that not a lot of people like. Now, perhaps, we can cut some slack to this big-car manufacturer for producing a small car because the interior is rather posh and likable. The ride is also smooth and comfortable. However, people are just not a big fan of things looking like they have no front face. However, the powertrain is also punishingly slow.

Here’s how C/D explains the difference: “The Encore offers two engine choices, both 1.4-liter four-cylinders, both turbocharged, yet one is standard and the other is an upgrade option. There are significant distinctions. … The net result of these differences is a power disparity that may seem modest but in the realm of this small fry is significant: 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque for the base version, 153 hp and 177 lb-ft for the upgrade.”

To sum it up the Encore is globular, slow and clumsy.

11 IOWA: RAM PROMASTER

The exact vehicle of this state is unclear. And when something does become seemingly clear, it becomes confusing at another level. The site states: “In Iowa, Ram trucks sells at 384 percent of the national average” (popularmechanics.com). I would have been clearer if it were the pickup trucks, but that source says Ram van, which then perplexes me. Out of all these states, how come Iowa is the only one to have van in such a high demand, when others were happy with sedans and SUVs?

Anyway, here’s what C/D had to say about these Ram vans: “Plumbers, handymen, and delivery guys are a discerning bunch—and the ProMaster aims to meet their needs. Choose from low, high, or extended roofs and 118-, 136-, or 159-inch wheelbases. Chassis and cutaway cabs are also available. The sole powertrain is a 280-hp 3.6-liter V-6 paired to a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. While its driving position may be a bit fussy and maneuverability is lacking over its competitors, the low load floor and great forward visibility may make up for both.”

However, residents of Iowa go a little deeper than that. They not only love Ram, but any type of domestic vehicles, according to popularmechanics.com; 26 such vehicles sell twice more in Iowa compared to that at the national level.

10 KANSAS: AUDI S6

I was not expecting to see Audi S6 for this state. I mean, the state is in the middle of nowhere. However, it does manage to pull off an Audi as the state car. And even then, it’s not just any Audi, it’s a big sedan, and even then, it’s a high-performance variant. So it becomes really difficult to keep saying “all you’ll ever see is farms, farms and more farms in Kansas.” Instead, now you’ll see farms, farms, Audi S6 and some more farms. However, the numbers are comparatively low at 243% more than the national average.

Here’s a good summary of the Audi S6: “The S6 takes everything that’s right with the A6 sedan—elegant design, rich interior materials, and innovative technology—and adds a huge dollop of power. With a 450-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the engine offers cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. … It’s pricey, but few cars combine excellence at so many levels.”

It should be noted that Audi S6 is not the only car loved by this state. Porsche 918 is also seen here at twice the national frequency. However, there were only 190 Porsche 918s in the US at that time (2015).

9 KENTUCKY: KIA RIO

Manufactured by Korea, the Kia Rio has been in production since 2000. It’s currently in its fourth generation, so there have been plenty of years for it to become better. The reality is that Kia used those years to actually make the car better. Early on, the car was affordable—as usual—but it wasn’t reasonable or memorable. Second generation saw some changes, and by now the changes have become drastic enough to be praised by C/D. As C/D explains, the interior is well-appointed and sophisticated, despite what you may believe about the 2018 Kia Rio. Plus, the ride is composed. And if you look at it from the outside, you can see the hatchback looks pretty nice.

Here’ C/D commenting on the car: “The new Rio’s damper tuning brings a newfound composure to the ride quality, while a stiffer structure helps the Kia absorb impacts like a more expensive car. … But the Kia is significantly more poised than the tinny and buzzy Honda; we’d choose it over a Fit for a long road trip.”

While Kentucky gets about four cars per two Kia Rio sold nationally, Kentucky is not a big fan of Tesla Model S at all; market share drops by 75% in this state compared to that of the nation.

8 LOUISIANA: BMW 760

Here’s another state that’s crazy after the wanton BMW 760. Unlike Florida, Louisiana is a little crazier in terms of wanting this car; it sells 854% over the national average.

The 7-Series is BMW’s flagship lineup, a full-size luxury sedan. If you look at the BMW 760, the car looks just dashing. The interior seems nice, but there were some concerns that it had become dated—or, at least, that the interior was less user-friendly than what the rivals were making in 2014. It wasn’t bad by any standards, just that you had so many other options, so you became a little spoiled. The only way to get this car would have been to a loyal customer in 2014, I guess, as this is what Edmunds had to say:

“If you're shopping around, you'll find that the innovative 2015 Mercedes S-Class is the most luxurious (and arguably most prestigious) in this segment. On the other end of the spectrum, the 2015 Porsche Panamera outdoes the 7 Series with stunning handling abilities and a comparable selection of engines. Both the extroverted 2015 Jaguar XJ and the understated 2015 Audi A8 are also a bit more involving, and the Audi has a particularly well-executed interior.”

7 MAINE: VOLVO V60

Maine seems to like this car. If you check out the 2019 model year, you’ll really like the low-slung image the car tries to pull off. Part of that image comes from the way the front face looks; it’s stern, yet beautiful. The sides also get their own curves, and when you combine the parts into one picture, the result is one beautiful wagon. Of course, the station wagon is directly derived from the already-famous S60 sedan, so all that aesthetics are expected. What you get from this being a wagon is the greater interior cargo space. Some other features include the ability to save pedestrians, cyclists and large animals alike and, of course, that includes the human driver sitting inside the car.

Maybe that’s why the car sells 554% times more in Maine than it does nationally. Maine also has a thing for some of the Subaru cars.

Here’s more from Edmunds on this: “For our money, we'd start with the T5 Dynamic and all-wheel drive and then add heated front seats and steering wheel, navigation and Harman Kardon premium sound, and both the Vision and Technology packages. These packages add a full digital dash, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, and lane keeping assist.”

6 MARYLAND: MINI CLUBMAN

Considering the history of Mini cars, this one comes off as a surprise. Minis are usually small and all malleable, but not the Clubman. The Clubman is a hatchback, and a big one at that, so the name doesn’t hold up that nicely. Nonetheless, the car offers a sporty handling and equivalent performance. The car is available as a six-speed automatic and when you pair that with a 134-HP turbocharged three-cylinder, it does deliver properly. And if something still seems amiss, you always have the 189-HP turbo I4. When it comes to functioning, the interior is practical; when it comes to cargo area, the interior is capacious.

The downsides of this car are poor rear visibility and the too-relaxed gas pedal. Nonetheless, the “MINI Clubman sells at 383 percent of the national average” (popularmechanics.com). And if you were wondering what flops in Maryland, its Lincoln models—nearly all of them.

Here’s what C/D had to say: “Despite this impression of zippiness, shifting for ourselves didn’t do much to help the Clubman three-cylinder’s middling acceleration times. This car delivered the same 8.0-second zero-to-60-mph run as its automatic-transmission sibling, with the quarter-mile coming in 16.4 seconds at 85 mph.” That’s actually really slow, not just languid.