VW, Nissan, Skoda production boost lifts key segment

Compact SUVs have overtaken small cars to become Europe's second most popular segment after small SUVs in the first two months of the year, helped by increased supply and new model launches.

Across Europe, 257,131 compact SUVs were sold in the first two months, according to preliminary figures from market researcher Dataforce, up a quarter from the same time last year.

Small car sales also rose, but as a lower rate of 11 percent to 253,474 in the same time frame.

Small SUV sales stood at 309,903 according to preliminary data, which covered 94 percent of the European car market.

Better supply of models was a big contributor to the growth of compact SUVs, particularly from the Volkswagen Group.

The segment-leading VW Tiguan posted a 26 percent sales increase, while sales of the eighth-placed Skoda Karoq grew 50 percent. The Cupra Formentor was 10th, giving VW Group three models in the top 10 .

The biggest gainer in the segment's top 10 was the Nissan Qashqai, which climbed to fourth from seventh after sales grew 61 percent, helped by the launch of the e-Power hybrid model (see box, below).

The only model in the top 10 that lost sales during the period were the Ford Kuga (down 6.7 percent) and the Peugeot 3008 (down 27 percent), Dataforce figures show.

Hybrids grew the most among the five powertrains available in the segment, rising 79 percent to overtake diesels and claim the second highest market share after gasoline.

The Toyota C-HR remained the segment's top-selling hybrid, with a volume of 17,616 units, but five new hybrid entrants including the Qashqai, Renault Austral, Toyota Corolla Cross and Dacia Jogger also helped boost sales. Hyundai, meanwhile, saw sales of its Tucson hybrid, the No. 2 seller in the segment overall, grow 30 percent.

Plug-in hybrids on the other hand lost share as sales of the powertrain fell 2.6 percent. The niche was led by the Ford Kuga, followed by the Lynk & CO 01 plug-in hybrid, which increased sales 126 percent, with the Jeep Compass rounding out the top three.

The new Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid joined the list with 3,111 sales, just behind the fourth-placed Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid. However last year's PHEV leader in the segment at this point, the Peugeot 3008, saw sales drop 63 percent.

Electric compact SUVs remain a rarity, accounting for just 1.5 percent of the segment's overall sales. The best-seller in the first two months was the Mazda MX-30 with 1,403 units, followed by the MG Marvel R.

Volume brands have so far targeted the midsize SUV segment with electric models they can sell globally, rather than specifically building smaller models for Europe.

That, however, is changing fast (see breakdown, below).

Citroen started sales of the electric version of the C4X this year in 14 European countries, giving customers a crossover with a fastback design. It has been joined by the BYD Atto 3, the first entrant from the EV Chinese giant.

Also poised to enter the segment are two more full-electric models: the Ford Explorer and the Renault Scenic.

Sales in the segment this year will remain skewed toward gasoline and hybrid, but as new EVs start to be launched, expected the electric share to climb steadily.
 

A slew of full-electric model launches are planned for the compact SUV segment, according to Dataforce, which is the source of the launch dates.

Renault Scenic (Q3 2023)
The Scenic is the electric version of the new Austral compact SUV. Reports say it will stick close to the 2021 concept.

Ford Explorer (Q1 2024)
The German-built Ford uses VW Group's MEB electric platform but beats VW into the compact SUV segment. At 4470 mm long, the Explorer is shorter than the midsize ID4. A sportier Explorer version will follow.

Skoda Elroq (Q2 2024)
Skoda's compact crossover will be one three new EVs from the brand arriving by 2026. The Elroq is expected to be closely related to a planned VW electric compact SUV, which will use the MEB platform.

Peugeot 3008 (Q2 2024)
The French model will go electric using parent Stellantis' STLA Medium platform, with a new combustion engine model also planned later in the same year.

Opel Grandland (Q3 2024)
The Grandland will be Opel's first vehicle on the STLA Medium platform and will be a sibling model to the Peugeot 3008. The SUV will be made in Eisenach, Germany.

Cupra Tavascan (2024)
The Tavascan will be Cupra's second model based on the VW Group's MEB platform after the Born compact.

Nissan Leaf replacement (2024)
Nissan has said its replacement for the compact full-electric Leaf will be an SUV, but neither the size nor the timing has been revealed.

Opel Manta E BEV (2025)
An electric SUV-styled re-interpretation of the Manta coupe will be built on Stellantis' Medium platform.

Toyota bZ3X (2025)
The compact SUV is one of five additional full-electric cars that Toyota plans to launch in Europe under the bZ subbrand by 2026.

VW ID Tiguan (2025)
The Tiguan gains an electric model to be sold alongside combustion engine versions.

VW ID3X (2026)
A compact SUV built on the revamped MEB Plus platform is expected to offer faster charging.

Toyota C-HR (Q4 2023)
The coupe-styled C-HR will be overhauled to include a plug-in hybrid version for the first time alongside the standard hybrid. Production of all variants will take place in Turkey.

Honda Z-RV Q4 2023
The ZR-V will be positioned between the small HR-V and the midsize CR-V and is expected to be hybrid only.

Cupra Terramar (Q2 2024)
The Terramar will be available with combustion engine and plug-in hybrid drivetrains and will be built alongside the related Audi Q3 Sportback at VW Group's factory in Gyor, Hungary.