Chart Of The Day: Compact CUVs In September And YTD
Though the Compact CUV segment continues to add volume, its starting to become one of the older segments, as models like Escape, Rogue, CR-V and RAV4 approach the ends of their life cycles. And yet only one of those competitors, the Toyota RAV4, has fallen off sharply. The Equinox seems to have permanently passed the Toyota model in the YTD race, and the Rogue could end up passing it as well before the year is over. Meanwhile, as we start looking ahead to the new look of this segment, there will be some divergence between the top two models that bears keeping an eye on. The Escape, long a cheap-n-rugged entry in this segment will be replaced with a more premium, European-style global crossover (see the Vertrek concept), while Honda is taking a more conservative approach, adding room but keeping the vehicle’s basic image intact. It should be interesting how those changes affect the top of this segment going forward…
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@klossfam Your Tiguan is in the ‘none of the above’ category because the number sold in Sept. was only about half that of the bottom-ranked Juke. I like the Tiguan myself and would consider buying one if it were offered with a TDI engine and manual transmission. I can't understand why VW doesn't bring the diesel version to the U.S. -- I'm sure it would bump up Tiguan sales significantly. TDIs have accounted for over 40% of VW's total U.S. sales YTD, and for vehicles offering the TDI option, the diesel take-rate is as high as 80%!
Count me among those worried about the next-gen Kuga/Escape. Ford is ditching the two biggest things the current Escape has going for it: Boxy look; Rugged hybrid version. Already, we're seeing the "kinetic" Focus and Fiesta arguably under-perform in the face of slightly more traditional Chevy an Nissan offerings. I wouldn't be surprised to see Escape sales next year being half of what they are now.