Honda CR-V knocks Ford Explorer out of #1 SUV spot
05-16-07, 11:45 AM
#1
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Honda CR-V knocks Ford Explorer out of #1 SUV spot
http://www.leftlanenews.com/cr-v-kno...-suv-spot.html
For most of the past 15 years, the Ford Explorer has been America's top selling SUV. This year, the the Honda CR-V is number one, and the Explorer has dropped to fourth place.
"That category of traditional SUVs has clearly tumbled from its height," Ford sales analyst George Pipas said in an interview with Bloomberg. In 2002, automakers sold about 3 million truck-based SUVs in the United States. Pipas says that number will be "less than 2 million this year."
Meanwhile, sales of car-based crossover SUVs continue to climb. Sales of crossovers in the U.S. grew 15.2 percent through April 2007 to 893,441, while truck-based SUV sales dropped 8.8 percent to 564,417, according to Autodata Corp. The top three SUVs so far this year are all crossovers.
The CR-V was redesigned late last year. It is 15 inches shorter, 2 inches narrower, and 1,000 lbs lighter than an Explorer. A recent report suggested the next-generation Ford Explorer would be a crossover based on the same platform as the new Taurus.
"That category of traditional SUVs has clearly tumbled from its height," Ford sales analyst George Pipas said in an interview with Bloomberg. In 2002, automakers sold about 3 million truck-based SUVs in the United States. Pipas says that number will be "less than 2 million this year."
Meanwhile, sales of car-based crossover SUVs continue to climb. Sales of crossovers in the U.S. grew 15.2 percent through April 2007 to 893,441, while truck-based SUV sales dropped 8.8 percent to 564,417, according to Autodata Corp. The top three SUVs so far this year are all crossovers.
The CR-V was redesigned late last year. It is 15 inches shorter, 2 inches narrower, and 1,000 lbs lighter than an Explorer. A recent report suggested the next-generation Ford Explorer would be a crossover based on the same platform as the new Taurus.
05-16-07, 12:51 PM
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So really isn't the CR-V a CUV? Isn't it based off the a car frame instead of a truck?
Maybe America doesn't car about utility and is more concerned about space? You certainly aren't towing a boat with a CR-V.
Maybe America doesn't car about utility and is more concerned about space? You certainly aren't towing a boat with a CR-V.
05-16-07, 01:10 PM
#7
The CRV is a pretty nice vehicle; its a helluva lot larger than it used to be; and its interior storage space approaches that of a cramped Explorer already.
Couple superior gas mileage, interior design, ride comfort, car-chassis base, etc and you've got an Explorer-killer.
Couple superior gas mileage, interior design, ride comfort, car-chassis base, etc and you've got an Explorer-killer.
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05-16-07, 02:02 PM
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1. CR-V may still be called a compact, but the new one is pretty big, maybe as big as a 1st gen Explorer?
2. Competiton has gotten thick. The Explorer was once one of the few family SUVs around. Now everyone has 3 or 4 SUVs to offer
3. Price, the pricing for Explorers has shot up.
What is incredible is the CR-V, IMO is as ugly if not uglier than an Aztek but people buy them in droves. Badge it a GM or Ford and it would rot.
2. Competiton has gotten thick. The Explorer was once one of the few family SUVs around. Now everyone has 3 or 4 SUVs to offer
3. Price, the pricing for Explorers has shot up.
What is incredible is the CR-V, IMO is as ugly if not uglier than an Aztek but people buy them in droves. Badge it a GM or Ford and it would rot.
05-16-07, 02:14 PM
#10
One of my friends parents just bought him a CRV to replace his ailing Freelander. I personally wouldn't buy a CRV because I think they're ugly and have no desire to buy a honda econobox but people like them and they definitely aren't bad vehicles.
05-16-07, 02:28 PM
#12
Well, the CR-V doesn't really have much to fault (other than its design. I still prefer the first gen model). It's flexible, has great mileage, relatively inexpensive (esp. for an SUV), Honda's reliability.
05-16-07, 03:45 PM
#15
The Explorer really wasn't going to last as #1. Despite a recent redesign, it really isn't efficient nor advanced enough. Plus, its not cheap either.