Small Crossovers - Will They Replace the Mid-Sized Sedan?

explorerx4

It's interesting that Ford and Toyota don't offer anything in this category.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

It's interesting that Ford and Toyota don't offer anything in this category.

Or Hyundai .... or Kia ...

Ford does have an XS CUV that is sold in Europe and Latin America; not sure that they see the market to bring it to the US at this time.

stever

I'll cross-shop the HR-V against the Soul (ignoring the AWD).

Michaell

stever said:

I'll cross-shop the HR-V against the Soul (ignoring the AWD).

HR-V can be had with FWD as well.

suydam

All of them have FWD versions except Subaru and Renegade, don't they?

Michaell

suydam said:

All of them have FWD versions except Subaru and Renegade, don't they?

That is my understanding, yes.

I think even the Renegade can be had with FWD.

robr2

texases said:

At least they bumped up the engine in the HRV to the 1.8l. Still, not fast.

In reality, the HRV and CRV has similar 0-60 times - about 8 seconds. For most, that will be just fine.

texases

I bet they sell a bunch of the HRVs. Given the choice between than, and, say, a Rampage or a Juke, no contest! I remember fitting in both the front and rear seats of a Fit, and I'm 6'5". Pretty amazing.

Michaell

Just heard from a member of the forum that the CX-3's are arriving in port. Not sure when they are expected to hit the dealer lots.

Told me they have a GT AWD on order with an MSRP of $27K ... so, a bit higher than the HR-V EX AWD.

Sandman6472

Have seen a few new Chevy Trax's at work so Hertz is adding a bunch to the fleet. Did drive one round the block and it's a step down from the Encore especially in the interior appointments but think Chevy won't have a problem moving a whole bunch of them. If I were to purchase, would definitely buy the LTZ model if they have one...would prefer more creature comforts.

The Sandman

suydam

It looks like the march of the small crossovers continues in July. Buried in the headlines about the switch to SUVs is the fact that most of the growth came from the subcompact and compact segments like the Encore and Rogue, respectively. The really large SUVs such as the Suburban did not fare as well.

suydam

Just returned from hauling two 6 ft. Tables and a card table in the Encore and stacks of newspapers as well. Have also gotten a power washer in with no trouble. I think that's one reason for the March of the CUVs -- they are small but really practical. Unless you routinely haul lots of people or stuff, they are kind of like the Swiss Army knife of vehicles.

stever

I've been paying more attention to the stuff we haul in the minivan. Today there's a (different) folding ladder - only a twelve footer extended and a big honking pot with a cactus in it. Heavy, but it and the ladder would both easily fit in most any of the crossovers and hatches we've been shopping recently. Including that Encore.

suydam

Well nothing but a truck beats a minivan for cargo capacity that's for sure.

stever

They are great until you try to park em.

The turning circle in the Encore was quite impressive.

stickguy

relevant to this topic, I had to decide between a small CUV (is an RDX considered small?) for a trip this weekend. taking the last of my daughters stuff to her at college (about an 8 hour trip). I wanted to take the Sonata, and was able to fit everything in. Would have been easier to load the RDX (some of the items were bulky), but overall, I doubt it held more, though it is about 8" shorter.

I agree that a CUV that size is a super useful configuration, if you don't want something large.

suydam

I'm not familiar with the RDX. Is that the size of the CRV? They are very popular! The Encore is a size down, more like the Honda HRV. I think those two size categories are making steady inroads into car sales.

Michaell

suydam said:

I'm not familiar with the RDX. Is that the size of the CRV? They are very popular! The Encore is a size down, more like the Honda HRV. I think those two size categories are making steady inroads into car sales.

Yes, the RDX is the Acura version of the CR-V, except it comes with a V6 engine.

HR-V and Encore are indeed one size smaller. Same as the following:

Mazda CX-3
Fiat 500X
Jeep Renegade
Chevy Trax

stickguy

resurrecting this old thread, but at least at Ford, the answer is clearly yes, they will replace sedans! and sales wise taking a serious whack out of sedan sales overall.

Michaell

stickguy said:

resurrecting this old thread, but at least at Ford, the answer is clearly yes, they will replace sedans! and sales wise taking a serious whack out of sedan sales overall.

Just today, a friend of my wife reached out for some advice on a car for her teenagers. She started out asking about the Crosstrek and Golf; we ended up with her being very interested in the Kona and CX-3

stickguy

teenagers should start out with something used, with some pre-installed battle scars. especially if they are in HS, and just using the car locally. Just MHO of course! But, it worked great for us.

Michaell

stickguy said:

teenagers should start out with something used, with some pre-installed battle scars. especially if they are in HS, and just using the car locally. Just MHO of course! But, it worked great for us.

I don't impose those opinions on others, especially friends. They plan to keep the car for 8-10 years, so the Hyundai is a good choice with the long warranty.

The friend has only owned three cars her whole life - an Accord, a 2000 Volvo wagon (which they still own and the kids drive now) and a recent MDX

texases

I know I'll be replacing my mid-size sedan (MKZ hybrid) with a CUV when the time comes. I need lots of headroom, and nice sedans often don't have enough because of the almost-mandatory sunroof. I also like the higher entry and better visibility, along with the flexibility to carry bulky stuff.

stickguy

Other than the headroom issue, that’s why my wife likes having one. Plus 18 years of driving minivans gets you used to that kind of functionality.

texases

I forgot one other reason - good accommodations for 4 full-sized adults. I like to have a good-sized, easily-accessed rear seat for our (getting older) friends, not something they have to crouch to enter, or bump their heads/knees to sit in.