The Large Premium SUV segment grew by 3% in Q3, and 6% since the beginning of the year, compared to the respective periods in 2014. This makes it the slowest-growing SUV segment bar the non-premium Large SUV segment, suggesting that consumers are slowly but surely moving to smaller SUVs and crossovers.Highlights:
- Lexus RX remains the undisputed champion of the segment, even though it’s about to be replaced with a new model
- 2nd-placed Acura MDX opened a gap to 3rd-placed BMW X5, however its falling sales compared to 2014 is not good news for a car that’s barely over one year old
- 5th-placed Infiniti QX60 saw its sales go up 65% in Q3, the fastest of all cars in the segment – the upcoming 2016 restyle may make it more popular still next year
- The new models on the market, Audi’s Q7 and Lincoln’s MKT, were both well received, with sales up by 26% and 34%, respectively, on Q3 2014
- The largest body-on-frame SUVs did worst in Q3, with the Cadillac Escalade ESV down by 70%, and the Lexus LX down by 24%.
