The launch pace for electric versions is so frenetic that in just one year, electric versions have gone from a zero percent market share in the segment to its most popular powertrain, with a 35 percent share, according JATO Dynamics.
Diesel, which was the most popular in 2020, has now slipped to 32 percent from 57 percent, while gasoline now accounts for 22 percent.
Hybrids are gaining share as automakers with traditionally powered models in the segment switch over to electrified options. Both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe have been given plug-in hybrid options over the course of 2021. Meanwhile, Seat is rolling out a plug-in hybrid version of its Tarraco.
Those additions, however, haven’t offset the drop in sales of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which isn’t being replaced as the Japanese company exits key European markets.
The dramatic 56 percent reduction in sales for a model that was until recently Europe’s most popular plug-in hybrid meant that the plug-in hybrid share of the segment fell to 9 percent this year from 10 percent last year.
The Tiguan Allspace remains without a plug-in hybrid option, despite a version with the drivetrain being available in China. Also lacking plug-in hybrid options as yet are the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008.
Customers are also being given more full-hybrid options in the segment as both Hyundai and Kia add the drivetrain to their respective models, giving hybrids a 2 percent share in the segment through 10 months.
That share is expected to increase with the arrival next summer of the Nissan X-Trail, which will be offered with the automaker’s e-Power hybrid drivetrain.
The X-Trail will also be available with seven seats and all-wheel drive.
While customers of electric midsize SUVs can in most cases get all-wheel drive as an option, seven-seat derivatives are still only available with combustion powertrains.