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January Sales Snapshot: Compact-ish CUVs
by
Edward Niedermeyer
(IC: employee)
Published: February 9th, 2010
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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
More by Edward Niedermeyer
Published February 9th, 2010 2:09 PM
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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?
what's wrong with the jeep patriot? it seems like a winner on paper
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.
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.