Over the past decade, the popularity of compact crossover SUVs has increased significantly in the market. This type of vehicle has become one of the most popular vehicle categories in the United States and other regions, and has caused tremendous changes in the global automotive market. It was reported that in 2019, one in every four cars sold was a compact crossover SUV, showing strong consumer demand for this type of vehicle.
“With so many of these models on the market, just sorting them out has become a daunting task.”
Compact crossover SUV is mainly a term in the US market, usually referring to a model between a small crossover SUV and a mid-size crossover SUV. These models are typically based on a compact sedan chassis, with exterior lengths ranging between 4,400 mm and 4,700 mm. These models usually have two rows of seats, and some offer three rows of seats, meeting the needs of different families.
The rise of the compact crossover SUV is no accident. The market has changed dramatically since the first compact crossover SUV, the AMC Eagle, was introduced in 1980. In the 1990s and 2000s, models such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V further promoted the popularity of this category. In the United States, compact crossover SUVs gained market share significantly from 2005 to 2010, surpassing midsize sedan sales for the first time in 2014.
In the United States, data from 2021 showed that the best-selling models in this category included the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, showing consumers' preference for these practical and comfortable models. Fierce competition in the market has also prompted car manufacturers to launch a variety of models to meet increasingly diverse demands.
Compact crossover SUVs are also very popular in Europe. According to the 2021 report, total sales of this type of vehicle reached 3.05 million units, accounting for 26% of the market. The Nissan Qashqai is considered to be the main model driving the popularity of compact crossover SUVs in this market and has always occupied an important position in the market since its launch.
"The advantages of a compact crossover SUV are its high visibility and rugged appearance without the high operating costs of an off-road vehicle."
In Australia, compact crossover SUVs are called "mid-size SUVs", with sales of this type of vehicle reaching 180,000 in 2021, accounting for 17.2% of car sales. This shows the continued consumer demand for this type of vehicle.
Many luxury car brands have also begun to enter the compact crossover SUV market. These luxury models are usually based on mid-size car platforms. Although they are more expensive, they provide similar driving experience and convenience features to mainstream compact crossover SUVs, and are more high-end in terms of interior design and technical configuration, attracting different types of buyers. Consumer groups.
With the changes in consumer demand and the improvement of environmental awareness, future compact crossover SUVs may focus more on the research and development of electrification and intelligent technology. Many manufacturers have already begun to launch electric crossover SUVs to meet market changes.
As market competition becomes increasingly fierce, what will be the future development trend of compact crossover SUVs? Why not think deeply about the future direction of the automotive industry?