If you look down the road beside you at any point, you’ll notice that the majority of the vehicles are compact SUVs. They have wreaked havoc on the market over the years and have been popular for quite some time. According to Statista data from 2019, India is the world’s eighth largest market for SUVs. According to an Autocar report, nearly 950,000 SUVs were sold in FY 2020, the fiscal year saw positive growth, and nearly every carmaker focused heavily on the compact-SUV segment.
If you look down the road beside you at any point, you’ll notice that the majority of the vehicles are compact SUVs. They have wreaked havoc on the market over the years and have been popular for a long time.
But have you ever wondered, from where this journey of Compact SUVs began? Don’t worry this blog will help you to get the details from the beginning of SUVs till date. So, let’s begin!
The Beginning of Compact SUVs
Between 2010 and 2012, India saw the introduction of crossovers, also known as compact SUVs, which were an instant hit with the public. The higher ground clearance and more rugged styling pave the way for the emergence of a new car segment that is poised to become the only option for many. We have to go back to 2012, when the Renault Duster lit the lamp, to see how this now-trending segment got started.
Duster was the one who started it all ten years ago, giving Indian consumers a new option. Ford, following suit, will unveil their Ecosport candidate early next year. Sedans were difficult to park in tight spaces, so hatchbacks were considered entry-level cars. This provided buyers with a convenient package that included all of the products in the line. With their compact SUV, Ford also introduced turbochargers in India.
Advantages of Compact SUVs
Compact SUVs offer a more comprehensive package than standard hatchbacks, and they are more comfortable. Along with the tall stance and rear-mounted wheel for Ecosport, they have a fantastic road presence and a pleasing appeal. Compact SUVs with larger naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines are more powerful. With appropriate transmissions, such as Hyundai’s iMT, the turbo variants provide reasonable fuel efficiency. They have better ground clearance because they are SUVs, which is a huge plus for Indian roads and even road trips.
They have a sportier engine and a more refined ride, as well as more boot space. Compact SUVs are a one-stop shop for good fuel economy, comfort, and the ruggedness that SUVs are known for. In comparison to other segments in the same price range, they offer good value for money and similar or better specs and features.
Also Read, Sedan vs SUV: Which should be your Next Car
Compact SUVs , Volume Drivers
Manufacturers are eager to find car segments that will help them drive volumes and thus bring in revenue in today’s age of singular platforms and slowing automotive demand. For car manufacturers to stay invested in a market and introduce new models to meet demand, volume drivers like the Maruti Suzuki Alto or the Renault Kwid are necessary. Compact SUVs have become the bread and butter for many manufacturers.
Ford’s EcoSport, along with the Endeavour, had become the American brand’s life support, selling 40,000 units in a year before production ceased. Meanwhile, the Tata Nexon has been Tata Motors’ best-selling vehicle since its introduction, while the Renault Duster had been Renault’s best-selling vehicle until the introduction of the Kwid.
Rise in the Trend of Compact SUVs
The trend has exploded in popularity over the years, and every brand has thrown their hat into the ring. SUVs are typically priced between 7 and 15 lakhs, and they are also safer. This trend has evolved into something greater than itself, and it now encompasses much more than Compact SUVs. The bigger midsize SUVs, such as the Creta, Harrier, and the recently launched Kushaq and Taigun, are two more growing segments in the market. Then there’s the segment of micro-SUVs, which includes vehicles like the Tata Punch.
In the same price range as Punch, there is a wide variety of almost identical Kiger & Magnite. Then there are cars like the Vitara Brezza, Nexon, and XUV300, which have a more promising package. In the same price range as Punch, Kiger & Magnite offer a wide range of nearly identical products. Then there are cars with a more promising package, such as the Vitara Brezza, Nexon, and XUV300.
Urban SUVs
The ‘Urban SUV’ is another new sub-segment of the compact SUV market. These are small hatchbacks with high ground clearance, tough exteriors, and terrain modes in some cases. This trend began with the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, and the Tata Punch and Citroen C3 are expected to follow suit. Customers who want an SUV-like car with design characteristics but not the same versatility as an actual SUV now have more options thanks to these new segmentations.
