American Honda grabbed its third consecutive best-selling SUV crown with the increasingly popular CR-V in calendar year 2014. The CR-V’s lead over the next-best-selling Ford Escape grew to 28,807 units (about one month of sales for the CR-V) in 2014 from 7911 units in calendar year 2013.
• CR-V leads SUVs & crossovers in seven of the last eight years
• Seven of the ten best sellers post record U.S. sales
• Explorer is America’s best-selling three-row vehicle
The CR-V was alone on top, but it was not alone in its ability to achieve record-high U.S. sales volume. Along with the CR-V, the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue, Jeep Wrangler, and Subaru Forester all sold more often in 2014 than in any prior year.
Utility vehicles accounted for 32% of new vehicle sales in the United States over the last twelve months, up from 30% a year ago. Segment-wide sales jumped 12% in an industry which reported collective gains of 6%. These ten best sellers alone produced 367,298 more sales for the U.S. auto industry in 2014 than they did in 2013 while generating more than four out of every ten SUV/crossover sales.
No vehicle exemplifies the more-than-gradual turn toward utility vehicles more than the CR-V, and not just because it leads the category. In each of 2014’s final two months, the CR-V didn’t just lead the SUV/crossover world, it outsold all passenger cars, as well. Best sellers don’t always speak for the overall industry, but the CR-V’s ability to conquer all non-pickup trucks is more than simply symbolic.
|
Rank
|
SUV / Crossover
|
2014
|
2013
|
%
Change
|
|
#1
|
Honda CR-V | 335,019 | 303,904 | 10.2% |
|
#2
|
Ford Escape | 306,212 | 295,993 | 3.5% |
|
#3
|
Toyota RAV4 | 267,698 | 218,249 | 22.7% |
|
#4
|
Chevrolet Equinox | 242,242 | 238,192 | 1.7% |
|
#5
|
Ford Explorer | 209,994 | 192,397 | 9.1% |
|
#6
|
Nissan Rogue | 199,199 | 162,751 | 22.4% |
|
#7
|
Jeep Grand Cherokee | 183,786 | 174,275 | 5.5% |
|
#8
|
Jeep Cherokee | 178,508 | 25,786 | 592% |
|
#9
|
Jeep Wrangler | 175,328 | 155,502 | 12.8% |
|
#10
|
Subaru Forester | 159,953 | 123,592 | 29.4% |
Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures.
Wrangler sales are pretty impressive considering it’s one of Consumer Reports most hated vehicles
It’s also the only US brand that increased sales by more than 10% (Cherokee is a new model, so it doesn’t count).
Unlike the Japanese brands, that ALL grew by more than 10%.
Wrangler sales are pretty impressive cons1dering it’s one of Consumer Reports most hated vehicles
Most car buyers don’t read Consumer Reports, those that do, likely don’t comprehend what they’ve read.
Exhibit A: the comments to most posts on this website.
The patience to read an item in its entirety, let alone comprehend the subject matter, is a rare skill.
You would think that CR’s liberal sprinkling of black dots all over the Wrangler would circumnavigate that problem
If you visit TrueDelta.com, you’ll find that Wrangler’s reliablity is not anywhere as poor as CR claims. Although it’s about 2 times worse than FJ, we’re talking 40 to 80 visit bracket, which is nothing, really. I suspect Consumer Report is just full of it.
It’s much worse than some service departments in Jeep dealerships are ran by less then entirely ethical managers. That really is the problem that damages Wrangler prospects more than absolute reliability numbers.
@319583076
“Not sure if picking on TTAC readers…
(squints eyes)
… or picking on Consumer Reports readers”
@Lie2me
I’m an equal-opportunity curmudgeon – it’s a swipe at both!
I happen not to like the Wrangler—it’s outdated, handles poorly, is uncomfortable, and not at all what I’d look for in an SUV—*but* I understand why it’s appealing. Really, if you’re looking for that kind of vehicle, there aren’t any other choices, and I doubt that people would change their minds if they *did* read Consumer Reports…
It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand
@Lie2m3 – “It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand.”
Yup, poor reliability in an outdated package sold based on its alleged rugged abilities and its ancestry.
It is best viewed as the Harley Davidson of the SUV world.
You pay for the image even though virtually everything else out there is just as competent and more durable.
@Lou
Reliability aside, there are certainly capable 4x4s out there, but do any of them come in the Wrangler’s packaging and footprint?
Why anyone would buy a Wrangler for 95% or more of driving on paved roads is beyond me.
It looks cool, duh
Makes no sense at all OTHER than that, Lie2me.
Cool doesn’t need to make sense, ask Melody Lee, she’ll understand
Ugh, as if!
There is no such thing as “outdated”. There is only poor crashworthiness and poor fuel economy. But no “outdated”.
Old people don’t generally buy them.
I qualify as “old people” and I drive one. Granted, it doesn’t go off-road as much as I’d like, but it DOES hit the trails occasionally.
@danio3834
“Old people don’t generally buy them.”
agreed.
Virtually everyone I know with a Wrangler Unlimited NEVER takes them off road BUT buys them because they don’t want the “life as we know it is over D/T kids” minivan and large SUV image.
I know 1 guy with a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon that bought it as an off roader but he is a hardcore Jeep guy.
Wrangler is easier to modify to suit one’s tastes, so perhaps that helps. It’s not only suspension, but also things like equipment accessories like mounting brackets. Note that pickup trucks offer same opportunities, and even better in many cases. In particular, mounting a gun rack in a Wrangler is a PITA, but easy in most trucks. Still, it’s pretty good for an SUV. You’re almost buying a giant Lego or erector set with Wrangler.
You can always tow a M61 20mm cannon with a Wrangler.
Actually, towing capacity of Wrangler is laughable: only 1000 pounds. It’s not enough even for a powered parachute trailer, so I did not even bother putting the received on mine. I wish Chrysler fixed that, even with a proviso not to apply to lifted versions.
Commence the anti-Honda sentiment in 5, 4, 3…
Folks love to hate the CR-V. This will be entertaining.
Don’t give in to hate. That leads to the Dark Side.
Bes*des, the CR-V has replaced the Civic in the snow belt, where AWD is all the rage.
Here’s whats wrong with the CR-V:
1. Lacks a row of urinals.
2. Needs to be extremely ugly instead of incredibly ugly.
3. The Max Tow rating of 1500 lbs is too much as it could be used for a small trailer, this needs to drop to 500lbs for maximum non-utility.
4. Visibility is still too much, needs to lose 60% of greenhouse.
5. Wheel size needs to increase too at least 25in.
6. Lacks huge spoiler on the rear.
7. Interior room needs to shrink at least 25%.
8. Needs to be lifted at least another 18 inches off of the ground to increase blinding ability of other drivers.
9. Where is the gigantic center console sought after by today’s drivers?
10. Finally, it needs to no longer include a spare tire but an inflation kit and a burner cell with AAA pre-programmed into it.
I like #4 the best.
Low visibility FTW!!!
And a burner cell with AAA, you’ll be needing that for directions. You won’t be calling for tow services for a long, long time.
Here’s what’s right about the CR-V
All the other mommies in the car pool school pick-up lanes drive them.
That’s all you need to know
I was trying to stay classy and not imply the obvious lest I incur the wrath of my local People’s Democratic Commission for [in-] Equality and Rainbow Love… but yes it’s a woman’s car.
Yes, yes… the CR-V is an automotive appliance until it reaches cockroach status.
From that point on, its endearing.
Just a highly misconfigured wagon with a great motor.
True. i don’t know any guy who owns one. (Heterosexual or otherwise)
A column with the Model Intro Year and/or refresh year would be informative. The RAV4’s 22% increase could be due to it being a new model in ’13, the 592% increase for the Cherokee is due to a new model in ’14. The measly 1.9% increase for the Equinox is explained by the fact it was introduced in 2010 and hasn’t been had a facelift since. The Wrangler defies conventional logic with it’s 2007 MY intro and 29% jump in sales.
# Vehicle MY Intro 2014 2013 %Change
#1 CR-V 2011 (’15) 335,019 303,904 10.2%
#2 Escape 2012 306,212 295,993 3.5%
#3 RAV4 2013 267,698 218,249 22.7%
#4 Equinox 2010 242,242 238,192 1.7%
#5 Explorer 2011 209,994 192,397 9.1%
#6 Rogue 2014 199,199 162,751 22.4%
#7 G.Cherokee 2011 (’14) 183,786 174,275 5.5%
#8 Cheroee 2014 178,508 25,786 592%
#9 Wrangler 2007 175,328 155,502 12.8%
#10 Forester 2014 159,953 123,592 29.4%
Wrangler offers some odd utility advantages. At one point I transported items in it that would not fit into any SUV (although admittedly the said items fit into a smaller commercial van at some point – it was a GMC Sahara in fact). Not even into Armada or Equinox. They would fit into a box of a full-size truck, but then you’re competing Wrangler with Silverado. And Wrangler is actually shorter than CR-V of any generation (I have a 2-door version). Its removable top is quite nifty.
GM offers a “convertible” truck, Avalanche, that captures some of the same advantage, but it’s full size. There’s no smaller truck that’s convertible like Wrangler. It’s either insane length or small cub in both of Tacoma and Frontier.
I bet this list next year will include the Jeep Renegade. 4 Jeeps would be something awesome to see.
It should be a given, Jeep kind of invented the segment
And they (Jeeps) also cost an arm and a leg.
Compared to what? The new Renegade will be priced below $19K
I did not know that the Renegade will only be 19K.
But that sounds awful inexpensive for having the word Jeep on it…
So it starts at 19K, but can be optioned up to a meager 36K??
According to Jeep pricing of the new Renegade will be “well below $20K” Pricing should be out later today, so we will know for sure
$36K would put it at or above a loaded Cherokee which wouldn’t make much sense
Any thoughts on long-term reliability of the “new” FCA product? They are stylish and it seems like there is value, but ownership may diminish or eliminate that value.
@319583076
Put down that cup, you.
All the right components are in place, Tigershark engine, ZF 9-speed trans. Cherokee 4X4 with lockers and 20:1 crawl, but time only will tell if everything comes together correctly
I’m betting the Renegade Trailhawk will run between $22-$24K.
There is no way Jeep is going to move 160K Renegades, in the US, in 2015. I think it will be a sales success, but it’s not going to crack this list. The planned global annual capacity at the Melfi, Italy plant, for the Renegade, is 150K units.
IHS Automotive predicts the Renegade will sell just under 110K units globally in 2015.
The Renegade is poised to be the best selling Jeep ever. The reaction to it has been unprecedented. IHS is full of $hit. Some dumba$$ MBA analyst that doesn’t know $hit from shinola. This Jeep will be HUGE, and Sergio will find a way to crank out more of them.
They do not have the capacity to move over 150K units this year. I’m sure Sergio/FCA will find a way to increase it (Mexican production?). However, right now, it is built in an Italian factory, with other product, and US pricing hasn’t been announced. These are facts. It won’t be in the top three of best selling Jeeps of 2015.
I don’t know about that many Renegades, but people did say that the Cherokee wouldn’t sell…….
I’m sure the Renegade will sell just fine. However, saying that it will be the best selling Jeep ever or saying that it will be a top ten CUV/SUV seller is ridiculous.
Since FCA cannot produce more Renegades GLOBALLY than any vehicle on this list sold units in the US in 2014, it will not overtake any of them.
bball, excuse you!!!!
Acting like you didn’t know that the new Renegade is the second coming of Christ.
Hmmmmph!
And don’t even think about disagreeing, or I shall summon the ultimate FCA Fan Boy (dare I say who!)
I like the Renegade. My neighbor has an orange one that I want to borrow. I think it looks pretty sweet. They’ll sell a bunch.
However, people are acting like the Renegade gave them a bj while they watched the NFL Playoffs, made them a snack, paid their credit card off, and then brought all the small pickup trucks from the rest of the world for a good old fashion chicken tax @rgy. For f$cks sake. It’s a niche vehicle that will never approach sales of the Cherokee or Wrangler unless gas is $8 a gallon.
People need to put the Renegade lube away and stop touching themselves. The price ain’t even annouced yet.
If the Renegade Trailhawk can do 75% of what a stock Wrangler can do off road while getting 25-30 mpg on road while getting you to work in reasonable comfort and do it all for $25K then it’ll be better then a bj during the Superbowl
Methinks the Outback belongs in here.
If the Outback was listed with utility vehicles and not cars, it would rank 12th in 2014, behind this group and the Toyota Highlander.
The Outback still exists? I thought it was reduced to a mere trim package for the Legacy again.
“Trim package for the Legacy” is what it IS, but they’re still selling it as a separate model. The name ‘Outback’ still has enough cache to add a premium to the price.