I dunno about this list, but without weighting the results for number of units sold I think it’s misleading. Here are the results rejiggered based on number of units sold (a better guage of popularity IMHO):
Hyundai Elantra - 162,153
Jeep Wrangler - 116,599
Ford Fusion - 100,621
Ford Escape - 94,120
Chevy Equinox - 84,495
Kia Sorrento - 79,659
Subaru Outback - 44,559
Kia Optima - 33,336
Cadillac SRX - 32,936
Subaru Legacy - 16,325
Other than the Jeep, which is a rather uncomfortable ride compared to the others, the rest make some sense. The Elantra is up where it is because it’s cheap, both to buy and to operate - it’s the new Ford Escort, if you will. It’s instructive to see that the Fords still beat the Chevy union-parasite junk. The Kias are interesting, too, but I’ve seen a few of the newer models and, like the Japanese brands of yore, it’s clear that Kia is following the same course, going from junky little beaters to some nice stuff. Hyundai is doing the same thing; some of their products are quite nice these days. It’ll be interesting to see if they do a luxury model spinoff the same way that the Japanese manufacturers did.
They have; it's the Genesis: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis/