Sales of premium large SUVs has risen sharply in 2015 at +27% to 242.863 sales, the best figure since 2008 and only the sixth time this segment tops 200.000 units, after the 2004-2008 stint. For the sixth time in the eight years the BMW X5 is the leader of the segment, although it loses 4,3 percentage points of share as it is up by just a single unit last year. However, the X5 was so dominant in 2014 that it still has an advantage of almost 10.000 units to the #2 in 2015. The Range Rover Sport in up 10% and holds on to its second place, while the Volkswagen Touareg benefits from an increase of 24% and the name change of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class to GLE, and climbs onto the segment podium. When calculated together, the GLE and M-Class would still be ahead of the Touareg.
Note: 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
The X5 isn’t likely to hold on to its top spot for another year, as two newcomers are storming the charts. The Audi Q7 is up from 9th in 2014 to 4th in 2015 and the Volvo XC90 is up from 10th to 5th and brilliantly took the crown of the segment in the fourth quarter. Both are available with hybrid electric drive trains are are expected to take first and second place of the segment in 2016. The new Mercedes-Benz GLE is not far behind as well, but hasn’t been able to outsell the X5 yet. Then again, it is merely a name change and a minor facelift to the M-Class, not an entirely new model.
The Porsche Cayenne is up an impressive 45% and is in no way cannibalized by the introduction of the smaller Macan. It manages to open a gap to the 7th place of the Range Rover, which was close behind it in 2014. The BMW X6 almost triples its volume thanks to the second generation, and it appears to feel no competition from the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe which hasn’t been able to match its main rival in any month since its introduction.
The Lexus RX is due for a replacement in 2016 so should be able to recover some of the lost ground. This year the top-end of the segment will see the launch of the Maserati Levante, as well as the Bentley Bentayga as the über-SUV, which will have no competition until Lamborghini finally introduces its second-ever SUV in 2018.
| Premium large SUV segment | 2015 | 2014 | Change | |
| 1. | BMW X5 | 38.230 | 38.229 | 0% |
| 2. | Range Rover Sport | 28.343 | 25.779 | 10% |
| 3. | Volkswagen Touareg | 22.385 | 18.079 | 24% |
| 4. | Audi Q7 | 20.698 | 10.491 | 97% |
| 5. | Volvo XC90 | 20.487 | 6.931 | 196% |
| 6. | Porsche Cayenne | 17.851 | 12.323 | 45% |
| 7. | Range Rover | 14.300 | 12.134 | 18% |
| 8. | BMW X6 | 14.158 | 4.936 | 187% |
| 9. | Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 14.146 | 23.774 | -40% |
| 10. | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 13.719 | 13.820 | -1% |
| 11. | Land Rover Discovery | 12.317 | 11.239 | 10% |
| 12. | Mercedes-Benz GLE | 9.221 | 0 | New |
| 13. | Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe | 4.324 | 0 | New |
| 14. | Mercedes-Benz GL | 3.753 | 4.187 | -10% |
| 15. | Lexus RX | 3.248 | 4.452 | -27% |
| 16. | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 2.936 | 2.406 | 22% |
| 17. | Infiniti QX70 | 1.502 | 1.077 | 39% |
| 18. | Land Rover Defender | 1.237 | 1.147 | 8% |
| 19. | Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 8 | 29 | -72% |
| Segment total | 242.863 | 191.033 | 27% |
Click on any model to see its annual sales from 1997-2014 and monthly sales in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, or use the dropdown menu in the top right of this site.
Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.