World Best Selling SUV 2017. Top 100 models

World Best Selling SUV 2017 ranking with the Toyota RAV4, the car that in 1994 started the era of this kind of vehicles, back on top of the list, overtaking the former leader, the Honda CR-V. Nissan place three SUVs in the top ten.

Global Sales

In the 2017, the “SUV” segment accounted for the 37.6% of the global car passenger’s sales, with 30 million vehicles sold, up 11.3% from the previous year. All size SUVs are included in this data, with “C segment (compact between 4.2 and 4.5 meters) covering the 57.2% of the segment, the “D” size covering the 35.2% and the recently introduced, “B” size covering 5%, up 18% from the previous year (for data and details, just contact us).

The top three markets for this segment are China (with 36.3% of global sales), USA ( with 24.7%) and Canada (with 2.8%).

Best Selling Models

2017 global best-selling model was the Toyota RAV4, able to overtake the archrival Honda CR-V during the year with actual sales at 800.607 units (+10.1%). Launched in the 1994, this was the real first compact crossover SUV. Understanding demand for a new style of car, the Japanese company designed a new style car for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a compact car. For many years has been the top seller in the segment, but between 2014 and 2016 had lost the leadership in favor of the Honda CR-V. Temporarily.

In second place the former leader, the Honda CR-V, with 757.000 units, up 0.8%. Introduced in the 1996, initially only in Japan, the CR-V was developed across 5 generations, with the last introduced in the 2017 utilizing the same Honda compact global platform introduced on the 10th generation Civic. 2017 sales has been penalized by the hiatus in the domestic market, when the car was introduced just in November.

In third place, the fast growing Volkswagen Tiguan, up 2 spots, selling 718.000 units (+37.5%). Manufactured since 2007, the Tiguan ‘s sales had been boosted by the introduction of the 2016 second generation, distributed in 150 markets.

Down the podium the Hyundai Tucson with 619.000 units (-4.0%) followed by the Great Wall Haval 6, down 1 spot and 6.7% with 506.000 sales (-12.7%) and the Nissan Qashqai, up 1 spots, with 498.000 sales (+10.3%).

The American version of Nissan X-Trail, the Nissan Rogue, ranks in seventh place with 449.000 sales, up 20.3% and 2 spots, followed by the Nissan X-Trail with 430.000 units.

Losing a huge 15.9%, the Kia Sportage ranks 9th  with 425.000  ahead of the Mazda CX-5 with 410.000 (+13.1%).

Nissan X-Trail vs Nissan Rogue

We have received a huge number of messages regarding this ranking.

Many readers affirm that Rogue and X-Trail are the same car under different name and also a respectable research company, Jato Dynamics sustain this point. Others pointed out as this statement is wrong, because the two cars are different and the mistake can be generated by the launch of Rogue is US/Canada replacing the X-Trail. However, in Mexico both these models are on sales together. Finally we have decided to spent time to better check this point.

The answer is not easy.

Both the models are produced on the same “Nissan C Platform”, together with Qashqai, Murano and Renault Koleos.

In the last generations, the vehicle’s size become similar, while before 2013 Rogue was clearly bigger than X-Trail. Actually they have similar wheelbase (X-Trail is 2,70 mm, Rogue is 2,69 mm), same length (X-Trail 4.64 mm (4WD), Rogue is 4.64 mm). As far as Width, X-Trail is 1,801 vs Rogue 1.801; the height is different (X-Trail is 1,709 mm, Rogue is 1,.659). Of course powertrains are different but this depends by the market on which they are on sales. Finally, the US Rogue Sport version, is a compact version based on Qashqai.

Our point is that we must stay on Nissan decision.

While the cars are very similar, they are two models and Nissan cannot affirm (quoting Jato) that the X-Trail is the best-selling SUV worldwide.

Data Source

This report is done utilizing data extracted from our GAD (Global Auto Database) the wider Auto Sales Database actually existing in the World, with sales data by region/area/country broken down by type/size/body-style/brand/model from January 2010 to the last month. Data are collected by over 300 sources, including all the official providers (local Minister of Transportations or Associations of car Manufacturers).

Copyright

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