Small SUV Sales Are On Fire - But Why Did It Take So Long To Catch On?

Automakers are learning that small is big — at least when it comes to SUVs.

Combined sales of compact and subcompact SUVs have nearly doubled since 2008, from 10 percent to 18 percent of the U.S. market, according to AutoTrader.com. Analysts predict the market will grow for at least the next few years, as young, affluent buyers are drawn to likes of the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox and the even smaller Buick Encore.

IHS Automotive predicts the compact SUV segment — now at 2 million vehicles — will grow to 2.2 million in the U.S. by 2017. The compact segment includes the Escape, Equinox, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

The forecaster believes the subcompact SUV category — including smaller offerings such as the Nissan Juke, Buick Encore and the soon-to-be introduced Jeep Renegade — will hit 500,000 in sales by 2019. In 2005, the subcompact SUV market was nonexistent.

MattDarringer - 7/9/2014 10:22:52 AM

+2 Boost

The Escape has always been a big seller for us.

HughJass - 7/9/2014 10:54:48 AM

+2 Boost

Mainly because people can't afford the midsize ones anymore and gas prices. Also, the CUVs now have grown to the same size as the last gen midsize ones.

dumpsty - 7/10/2014 9:49:26 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed. Small SUVs are in a larger size class & offer what the midsize SUVs offered in the past. And the larger SUVs have become outrageously expensive for even the upper-middle-class. Paying $60k-$70k for a Tahoe/Yukon is getting really silly these days - especially since those large SUVs have gotten the biggest they're going to get. Remember how the Excursion was "just soooo biggg"?! Look at the new GMT K2XX series of SUVs now.

Consumers that owned older large SUVs have found that they are well-served with the smaller, less expensive SUV models. Those that aspired to own a large SUV have found that the entry prices & subsequent gas/maintenance costs are too high; and that the newer midsizers do just as well.

Till this day, I still don't understand why vehicles "must" get larger with each new model version.

Agent009 - 7/9/2014 4:00:52 PM

+3 Boost

We can scratch the Cube off the list. This is the last year.. Now for a moment of silence.................

MorePower - 7/10/2014 6:01:35 AM

-1 Boost

The Cube had the best styling of the mini-box suvs. I always smile when I see one on the road.

MrEE - 7/10/2014 9:14:21 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe CUV success means dropping mid & large size SUV's. I would have thought gas prices would have already killed off large SUV sales.

The HR-V will be a hit and Honda will need to figure out how to increase production to meet demand. May also get compact car level MPG.