Compact crossover SUV is anautomobile classification used mainly in North America to describe a segment ofcrossover SUV, a type ofsport utility vehicle, betweensubcompact crossover SUV andmid-size crossover SUV.
By the late 2010s, the segment had emerged as the most popular automobile segment in several regions. For example, nearly one in every four cars sold in the United States in 2019 was a compact crossover, at about 24.2 percent.[2]
The best-selling vehicle in the segment in 2020 was theToyota RAV4, with 995,762 units sold globally. It was also the second best-selling automobile in the world after theToyota Corolla in 2021.[3]
The term "compact crossover SUV" is most commonly used in North America, where the "compact car" and "crossover" terms originated.[4] It is also known as a C-segment SUV[5] or C-SUV.[6] The naming of the segment also differs depending on the market. In several regions outside North America, the category may be known as "mid-size/medium crossover" or "mid-size/medium SUV",[7][8] which differs with the more common mid-size crossover SUV definition used in the US, which is a class above.
Compact crossovers are usually based on the platform of acompact car (C-segment), while some models may be based on a mid-size car (D-segment) or an enlarged B-segment platform. The majority of models in the compact crossover category have two-row seating, while some offer three-row seating.[9] Vehicles in this segment typically have an exterior length ranging between 4,400 mm (173.2 in) and 4,700 mm (185.0 in).[10][11][7][12]
Due to its popularity and to cater to customer needs, many manufacturers offer more than one compact crossover, usually offering them in slightly different sizes at different price points. American magazineCar and Driver stated "so many of these vehicles are crowding the marketplace, simply sorting through them can be a daunting task".[13]
The first compact crossover was the 1980AMC Eagle that was based on the compact-sizedConcord line. Its four-wheel drive system was an almost unheard-of feature on regular passenger cars at the time and it came with full-time all-wheel drive, automatic transmission, power steering, power front disk brakes standard as well as numerous convenience and comfort options.[14] Later models included the 1994Toyota RAV4,[15] 1995Honda CR-V, 1997Subaru Forester, 2000Nissan X-Trail, 2000Mazda Tribute, and the 2001Ford Escape.
Between 2005 and 2010, the market share of compact crossovers in the US increased from 6 percent to 11.2 percent.[16]
In 2014, for the first time ever, sales of compact crossovers outpaced mid-size sedans in the United States.[17]
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In the European market, several analysts and agencies divided the segment into two, the smaller ones ("compact" or "C-SUV"), and the larger vehicles ("mid-size" or "D-SUV"), with the latter usually longer than 4,500 mm (177.2 in) with some models offering three-row seating. In 2021, the combined segments in Europe recorded 3,055,770 sales according to data from JATO Dynamics, representing 26 percent of the market.[18]
TheNissan Qashqai played a significant role of growing and popularising the segment. Introduced in 2006, at the time it was Nissan's only vehicle in the C-segment space in Europe since the company discontinued the Almera hatchback and saloon.[19] The vehicle was credited to start the trend for compact crossovers in Europe, with their advantage being high-riding and rugged-looking family cars, while not having the high running costs usually associated with off-roaders.[20] It led the segment since its introduction until 2019, when the Volkswagen Tiguan took its place.[21]
In 2016, two out of three vehicles sold in the segment were produced byRenault–Nissan,Volkswagen Group andHyundai Motor Group.[22]
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The segment is commonly known as "medium SUV" in the region.[24] In 2021, it is the second-largest automobile segment in the market after pickup trucks at 180,000 units from 19 different models,[24] which contributed 17.2 percent of total automobile sales in Australia.[25]
Numerousluxury car brands marketed compact crossover SUVs, usually as an entry-level SUV offering of the respective brands. It is known by many terms such as compact luxury crossover SUV, luxury compact SUV, premium small SUV, premium compact crossover, luxury small SUV, among others. Compact luxury crossover SUVs are usually based on the platform of amid-size car (D-segment), while some models may be based on afull-size car (E-segment) or aC-segment platform.
Vehicles in this segment are commonly built on a D-segment car platform or above. While being significantly more expensive, vehicles from this segment offer similar driving and convenience advantages as mainstream compact crossover SUVs, with larger exterior dimensions, more refined interiors, more advanced technologies, higher engine power and added prestige.
But the "car-based" SUV models credited with breaking ground...
