Compact SUVS| How It All Started?

If you glance at any moment on the road beside you, you will see that most cars are all compact SUVs. Over the years, they have immensely disrupted the market and been trending for a significant time. 

Also Read: 5 Great Alternatives For The Discontinued Ford EcoSport

Data collected by Statista in 2019 states India as the 8th largest market for SUVs globally. A report by Autocar also underlined that almost 950,000 SUVs were sold in FY 2020, this fiscal year had positive growth, and practically every carmaker had a significant focus on the compact-SUV segment.

We see most of them on the roads, waiting periods when we visit showrooms, but how did the journey of this trend start?

• The Beginning
  

  

  To witness the kickstart of this now trending segment, we’ve got to go back to 2012 when the Renault Duster lighted the lamp. Duster was the one who started it all ten years ago, giving the Indian buyers something new to choose from.

  Also Read: Next-Gen Renault Duster Might Launch In India?

  Followed by this Ford, rolled out their candidate Ecosport soon next year. Hatchbacks were taken as entry-level cars & sedans were not easy to park in the tight spots. This gave the buyers a practical package between the range. Ford was also introducing turbos in India with their compact SUV.

• Advantages
  

  

  Compact SUVs are a reasonably practical package, more extensive than the usual hatchbacks; they are more comfortable. In addition to that, they have a fabulous road presence and a satisfactory appeal, along with the tall stance and rear-mounted wheel for Ecosport.

  Compact SUVs are more potent with larger naturally aspirated engines and turbo variants. The turbo variants provide a reasonable fuel efficiency with respective transmissions on offer, such as the iMT by Hyundai.

  Also Read: Why Is India So Obsessed With Compact SUVs?

  As they are SUVs, they have a better ground clearance which is a great advantage for Indian roads and even road trips. They have a more sporty engine and a more refined ride quality with considerable boot space.

  

  Compact SUVs are a complete package with good fuel economy, good comfort & the signature ruggedness of SUVs. They have good value for money and similar or better specs & features compared to other segments in the same price band.

• Rising Trend
  

  

  The trend has immensely grown throughout the years, and every brand has enrolled its candidate in the race. These cars are usually in the ₹7-15lakh price range, and SUVs are also better safety. This trend has grown into something more than itself, and it’s a lot more than just Compact SUVs now.

  There are two more rising segments in the market; the bigger mid-sized SUVs such as Creta, Harrier & the most recently launched Kushaq & Taigun. Then there is the mico-SUV segment comprising cars such as the Tata Punch.

  Also Read: How Subcompact SUVs Took Over Sedans With Time

  There is a wide variety from the almost identical Kiger & Magnite in the similar price range as Punch. Then above them, we have cars such as the Vitara Brezza, Nexon & XUV300 with a more promising package.

  As things are changing with time, the 2020 Auto-Expo revealed the EV concept of the Tata Sierra and recently revealed the upcoming Nexon mid-size EV Coupe. EV versions of currently running cars are also expected in the near future, given the growing EV revolution.