Gas Is Cheap, and SUVs Are Hot Again - Cars.com News
Compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V have been popular for years and saw sales increase 3. 7 percent in August from a year prior according to sales data analyzed by Cars. Large SUVs like Ford's Explorer were up 5. 8 percent. Not so long ago this was the segment most automakers were shying away from, focusing instead on either compacts or larger SUVs that could fit three rows for families leaving the minivan segment. But recently car companies double downed on these roomy two-row rides with redesigns like the Ford Edge (up 35. 6 percent), Kia Sorento (up 9. 7 percent) and Nissan Murano (up 3. 7 percent). All three get better mileage than their previous generations but they're not exactly fuel efficient with their front-wheel-drive versions getting 21, 23 and 24 mpg combined respectively. But they're likely drawing sales from their midsize sedan siblings. That go-to segment of the past for car shoppers saw sales drop 8. 4 percent in August. The Ford Fusion, Kia Optima and Nissan Altima get significantly better mileage at 26, 27 and 31 mpg combined respectively. And if that doesn't prove folks aren't as concerned about fuel efficiency, hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Ford C-Max Energi saw sales plummet 29. 5 percent in August. Source: www.cars.com
