January Sales Snapshot: Compact-ish CUVs

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Given the growth this segment has enjoyed over the last year, it’s more than a little odd to see the Escape taking top honors. After all, it’s received a single refresh since it went on the market in 2000. On the other hand, fleets dug Ford last month. [Please note that the outgoing body-on-frame Kia Sorento sold 3,621 units in January 2009]

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Don1967 Don1967 on Feb 09, 2010

    The Ford Escape is a mild surprise, but what's up with the Dodge Journey? Did a bunch of them fall off the train last year or something?

  • TonyJZX TonyJZX on Feb 09, 2010

    what's wrong with the jeep patriot? it seems like a winner on paper

    • See 1 previous
    • Ion Ion on Feb 10, 2010

      No you're right. though you may also be thinking of the Compass it's on the DaimlerChrysler GS platform too.

  • Revolver1978 Revolver1978 on Feb 10, 2010

    Interesting about the Escape. Having owned and '04 in the past, I would guess (and it's only a guess) that the Escape appeals to a certain group of people. The Escape looks "trucky", sounds "trucky", and handles, well, kind of "trucky". It's also well discounted at the dealer. Someone can downsize from an Explorer or move from a Ranger/F150, feel like they got the "butch" looking one and think they "whittled the dealer down some." It is certainly outclassed by newer competitors, but I'll always have a soft spot for my old '04 Limited. If this is true, the new Kuga-derived Escape for MY 2012 won't be as successful, even though it's probably a better vehicle in every way.

  • Bryan Scholtes Bryan Scholtes on Feb 10, 2010

    I am also in the market for a compact SUV/CUV, and have been shopping heavily. The Escape is compelling because of its squareness and actual utility. It can tow, has usable roof space, and is cheap. In that sense it's kinda like a Jeep Cherokee. The Escape is one of the last real SUVs in the compact category without 3rd row pretensions. The Equinox is a 3rd-row vehicle and too big. The Tucson, CX7, Rogue and other CUVs are too carlike. The Vue is not bad but, again, carlike. Ford does a good job defining its identity within categories. It could go head-to-head with the other CUVs, but the truly utilitarian compact SUV subcategory is a blue ocean. SYNC goes without mentioning as the best in-car computer that we can all afford. If you care about any of that stuff, you’ve got to see it in action.

    • Christy Garwood Christy Garwood on Feb 10, 2010

      Bryan, the 2010 Chevy Equinox only has two rows of seats. The back seats slide fore/ aft about 8 inches and also fold flat. There is a roof-luggage rack option and trailer hitch option. If you are seriously looking, go test drive one. Or ask TTAC to send your email address to me and I will work with you to test drive an Equinox. Full disclosure - I work for Chevrolet's parent company.

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