Sales in the Premium Large SUV segment rose by 11 percent in the third quarter of 2016, one percent faster than in the first two quarters of 2016. When you include Tesla Model X, which technically belongs in the Alternative Power segment, that rate of growth rises to 13 percent YTD – impressive in this era of downsizing. Moreover, the popularity of the segment is borne out in the sheer number of models offered by manufacturers: with a total of 24 models following the introduction of Maserati Levante and Bentley Bentayga, this segment is now one of the most populous.
Highlights for Q1-Q3 2016:
- The new Lexus RX and facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE keep attracting more customers, though in the third quarter the GLE fell behind the rejuvenated Acura MDX in the standings
- The largest gains came courtesy of the Volvo XC90 (up almost 400 percent), Lincoln MKX, Audi Q7 and Land Rover LR4 (both up around 50 percent), plus the surprise 239 percent rise in Q3 sales for the Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Sales of Tesla Model X keep rising, and in the third quarter it sold 5,800 units, enough to put it 10th in the segment standings, ahead of e.g. Range Rover Sport
- Maserati Levante and Bentley Bentayga entered the market in September, selling 478 and 363 units, respectively (a particularly good result for the Bentley)
Note: “AP” designates models that are classified in the Alternative Power segment, presented here for comparison; clicking on the model name opens the sales data page for that model; clicking year in the legend turns the display for that year on/off