These Nissan, Ford and Honda models are Tennessee's most popular, how will they fare amid tariffs

• Tennessee's favorite automotive brand is Japan's Nissan thanks to the Nissan Rogue small SUV.
• The American Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck and Japanese Honda CR-V small SUV are also best-selling models in Tennessee.
• Most major automakers are developing production and sales strategies to soften the impact of tariffs.

Tennessee is known for country music , whiskey, and apparently, the Nissan Rogue. According to Tennessee vehicle registration data compiled by Experian, the Nissan Rogue was the most popular 'car' in the state as of 2024. The three most popular vehicles in the state consist of two small family SUVs and an American full-size pickup truck.

Over the last few years, consumers have shifted from cars to SUVs, favoring the latter because of practicality and utility. Small SUV models like the Tesla Model Y, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue are national sales leaders. Toyota's small SUV was once the undisputed sales champ but rankings have been disrupted by refreshes and redesigns from competitors.

Nissan, Ford, and Honda's response to 'Liberation Day' could completely change how Tennesseans (and all Americans) shop for some of their favorite vehicles. Let's break down each vehicle's individual appeal and their brand's strategy to survive tariff turmoil.

Tennessee's favorite SUV: The Nissan Rogue

The 2025 Nissan Rogue has a starting MSRP of $28,590, which is average for its segment. It's available in five trim levels ranging from the base S to the snazzy Platinum final trim. The Rogue's Rock Creek off-roading trim has been earning plenty of attention from consumers.

The Rogue includes a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. It achieves 30 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon, above-average efficiency for its segment. The 2025 Nissan Rogue has a refined cabin and features Nissan's Safety Suite Shield 360. This suite of safety features includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning and more.

Overall, the Nissan Rogue is an affordable, safe, and practical small SUV, so there's a clear appeal to Tennesseans. Excellent gas mileage is the icing on the cake. As far as Nissan's strategy for dealing with tariffs, the Japanese automaker seems to be putting consumers first. The company announced plans to slash prices for some of its best-selling models including the Rogue. This could bolster sales numbers enough to blow away the sweeping cloud of fear in the new car market for the brand.

The Ford F-150 is a national treasure

Is there anything more American than the Ford F-150? It's no surprise that the F-150 is Tennessee's favorite pickup truck because it's often America's favorite pickup truck based on sales numbers.

The 2025 Ford F-150 full-size pickup has a starting MSRP of $38,810. It's available in a whopping eight trim levels ranging from the trusty XL to the F-150 Raptor (an off-roading beast). The Blue Oval's full-size pickup uses a standard 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 to produce 325 ponies and 400 pound-feet of torque. It earns a modest 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

Tennessee loves the Ford F-150 because it's a powerful workhorse that prioritizes utility above all else. It may not be the classiest in its segment, but it's a testament to American engineering that has gotten the job done for decades.

In terms of tariffs, the Blue Oval is just as exposed to import woes as any other automaker, with only 35% of all Ford parts coming from the U.S. or Canada.

Ford's CEO Jim Farley expressed his concerns regarding tariffs on auto parts in a recent TV interview. He declared that Ford has "thousands of parts in our American-made vehicles, and we want to keep them as affordable as possible". Farley claimed that tariffs were a sales opportunity for Ford, so the company is cautiously optimistic as it confidently navigates a turbulent new car market.

The Honda CR-V is a hit in Tennessee

Last but certainly not least is the Honda CR-V. Honda's small SUV is the third best-selling model in Tennessee and a regular competitor in its segment nationally.

The 2025 Honda CR-V has a starting MSRP of $30,100. Japanese automaker Honda's small SUV comes in three trims staring with the LX and ending with the EX-L (and is available as a hybrid). It uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to produce 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The popular small SUV earns 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.

Honda has drastically shifted its production strategy in response to tariffs, moving production of the new Civic Hybrid model from Mexico to Indiana. This is a huge move because the Civic Hybrid is an integral part of Honda's future brand strategy as the entire industry strives to go green. Furthermore, local production means more jobs in Indiana thanks to Honda's strategic decision.

Tennessee has shown Nissan, Ford, and Honda major love on the sales front. Each respective brand is adapting to major changes in the market. Hopefully these brands will continue to produce attractive deals for consumers amidst industry challenges, but only time will tell.