The Compact SUV segment grew by 13% over the period Q1-Q3 compared to the same period in 2014. As such, it is still the second fastest growing non-premium SUV segment, after the Subcompact SUV segment, and easily retains its mantle as the largest single segment in the US, widening its gap to the Mid-sized and Compact car segments (down 2% and up 2%, respectively, on Q1-Q3 2014).
Highlights include:
- Honda CR-V and Ford Escape remain at the top of the segment
- The Toyota RAV4, which has been enjoying a great time of late, even entering the top 5 of all models in November, re-took 3rd place from Chevy Equinox
- Nissan Rogue seems destined to take 4th place in the segment by the end of the year, having outsold the Chevy by over 7,000 in Q3
- Jeep’s happy times are evident for everyone to see, with three out of four (!) models it offers in this segment gaining sales over the period Q1-Q3, making it easily the largest brand in the Compact SUV segment
- The new Hyundai Tucson went on sale in Q3, resulting in sales growing by 46% compared to the same period last year, and putting the model in the black for the year
- Another model that saw its sales rise, by an even more impressive 117%, was the Land Rover Discovery Sport, although its sales are still really low for the segment
- VW’s Tiguan also saw its sales rise by 44% in Q3, despite Dieselgate, or possibly because of incentives that VW has been throwing at potential customers in the wake of the scandal
