Compact crossover SUV is an automobile classification used mainly in North America to describe a segment of

crossover SUV A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars, as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles ...

, a type of sport utility vehicle, between subcompact crossover SUV and mid-size crossover SUV. By late 2010s, the segment has emerged as the most popular automobile segment in several regions. For example, nearly 1 in every 4 cars sold in the United States in 2019 is a compact crossover, precisely at about 24.2 percent. The best-selling vehicle in the segment in 2020 was the Toyota RAV4, with 995,762 units sold globally. It is also the second best-selling automobile in the world after the Toyota Corolla.

Terminology

The term "compact crossover SUV" is most commonly used in the North America, where the "

compact car Compact car is a vehicle size class — predominantly used in North America — that sits between subcompact cars and mid-size cars. "Small family car" is a British term and a part of the C-segment in the European car classification. However ...

" and "crossover" terms originated from. It is also known as C-segment SUV or C-SUV. The naming of the segment also differ 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", which differs with the more common mid-size crossover SUV definition, which is a class above.

Characteristics

Compact crossovers are usually based on the platform of a

( C-segment), while some models may be based on a mid-size car (

D-segment The D-segment is the 4th category of the European segments for passenger cars, and is described as "large cars". It is equivalent to the Euro NCAP "large family car" size class, and the present-day definition of the mid-size car category us ...

) or an enlarged B-segment platform. The majority of models in the compact crossover category have two-row seating, while some of others offer three-row seating. Vehicles in this segment typically has an exterior length ranging between and . Due to its popularity and to cater customer needs, many manufacturers offer more than one compact crossover, usually offering them in slightly different sizes at different price points. American magazine '' Car and Driver'' stated "so many of these vehicles are crowding the marketplace, simply sorting through them can be a daunting task".

Markets

United States

The first compact crossover was the 1980 AMC Eagle that was based on the compact-sized Concord 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. Later models included the 1994 Toyota RAV4, 1995 Honda CR-V, 1997 Subaru Forester, 2000

Nissan X-Trail The is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 2000. Since its introduction, the X-Trail is positioned below the truck-based Xterra and Pathfinder. Since the third-generation model, the X-Trail became the same ...

, 2000

Mazda Tribute The (''Code J14'') is a compact SUV made by Japanese automaker Mazda from 2000 to 2011. It was jointly developed with Ford Motor Company and based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform, which was in turn the basis for the similar Fo ...

, and the 2001 Ford Escape. Between 2005 and 2010, the market share of compact crossovers in the US has increased from 6 percent to 11.2 percent. In 2014, for the first time ever, sales of compact crossovers have outpaced mid-size sedans in the United States. File:2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure (United States) front view (cropped).jpg, Toyota RAV4 (407,739 sold) File:2020 Honda CR-V EX-L (facelift), front 11.30.21.jpg, Honda CR-V (361,271 sold) File:2021 Nissan Rogue SV AWD, front 1.1.21.jpg, Nissan Rogue (285,602 sold including the Rogue Sport)

Europe

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 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. The Nissan 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. 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. It led the segment since its introduction until 2019, when the Volkswagen Tiguan took its place. In 2016, two out of three vehicles sold in the segment were produced by Renault–Nissan, Volkswagen Group and

Hyundai Motor Group The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG; ; ; stylized as HYUΠDAI) is a South Korean ''chaebol'' (loosely similar to a multinational conglomerate but without a central holding company or ownership structure) headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The HMG ...

. File:Hyundai Tucson (NX4) IMG 3676.jpg, Hyundai Tucson (149,170 sold) File:2021 Peugeot 3008 B Hybrid IMG 4839.jpg, Peugeot 3008 (140,015 sold) File:VW Tiguan Life (II, Facelift) – f 03012021.jpg, Volkswagen Tiguan (133,558 sold)

Australia

The segment is commonly known as "medium SUV" in the region. In 2021, it is the second-largest automobile segment in the market after pickup trucks at 180,000 units from 19 different models, which contributed 17.2 percent of total automobile sales in Australia.

Luxury vehicles

Numerous luxury 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 a mid-size car (

), while some models may be based on a

full-size car Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment. ...

( E-segment) or a C-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. File:2018 Volvo XC60 R-Design D5 P-Pulse 2.0 Front.jpg, Volvo XC60, in between the Volvo XC40 and Volvo XC90 File:Mercedes GLK 350 CDI 4MATIC front 20100508.jpg, The Mercedes-Benz GLK was the first compact luxury crossover SUV made by

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a Mercedes-Benz Group subsidiary established in 2019) is headquarter ...

File:1st.Lexus.RX.jpg, The Lexus RX was a compact luxury crossover from 1998–2003

References

{{Automobile configuration Compact Automotive design