Here Are the Size Segments for Mainstream Utilities (2018 Models Only)

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 02/03/2018 at 08:12 • Filed to: Market Segments

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I’m working on a market analysis in order to bring you all some new speculations. For those that don’t know, I consider myself an automotive branding and market enthusiast. Sometimes I post these preliminary glances before hitting you all with bigger posts on why come this happenin’ and other things that make you groan, just to show you that there is method behind the madness.

Nothing refined here since this is how I get started. However, I thought there were some interesting segment shifts that most journalists (and a few automakers) have not noticed.

2018 Hyundai Kona

Super-Subcompacts

* Same length as subcompact hatchbacks

Ford Ecosport (161") - $19,995

Kia Soul (163") - $16,200

Hyundai Kona (164") - $20,450

*This segment will expand in 2020 including a Jeep below the Renegade. This is also the segment I believe Toyota mistakenly quoted as AWD not being important, just style and efficiency. Unfortunately for them, the C-HR is one segment too high.

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2018 Nissan Kicks

Subcompacts

*Similar length to subcompact sedans

Jeep Renegade (167") - $18,445

Fiat 500X (167") - $19,995

Mazda CX-3 (168") - $20,110

Chevrolet Trax (168") - $21,000

*Buick Encore (168") - $22,990

Nissan Kicks (169") - $19,000

Honda HR-V (169") - $19,670

Toyota C-HR (171") - $22,500

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (172") - $20,395

Nissan Rogue Sport (172") - $21,640

Kia Niro (172") - $23,340

*Buick included due to non-premium pricing (should be a GMC).

*Mini is a premium brand. Ref: Mini Countryman (170") - $26,600

* Jeep Wrangler 2-Door uses premium pricing. Ref: Sport (167") - $26,995

I want you all to think about how many of these nameplates didn’t exist 4 years ago. The reason why resale is currently poor for subcompact utilities is that most of the population is unfamiliar with these names and aren’t searching for them, yet. That said, expect every one of these vehicles to grow to over 173" in length because, “The most popular request of current owners is that they wish the car was a little bit bigger.”

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2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (aka the Eclipxe)

Compact

* Similar length to compact hatchbacks

Jeep Compass (173") - $20,995

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (173") - $24,290

Volkswagen Tiguan Limited (173") - $21,995

Subaru Crosstrek (176") - $21,795

Hyundai Tucson (176") - $22,550

Kia Sportage (176") - $23,600

Ford Escape (178") - $23,850

Mazda CX-5 (179") - $24,150

Notice that the actual “Compact” segment has been vacated.

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2018 GMC Terrain

Midsize

* Similar length to compact sedans

Honda CR-V (181") - $24,150

Subaru Forester (182") - $22,795

Jeep Cherokee (182") - $24,395

GMC Terrain (182") - $24,995

Chevrolet Equinox (183") - $23,580

Toyota RAV4 (184") - $24,510

Mitsubishi Outlander (185") - $23,945

Volkswagen Tiguan (185") - $24,595

Nissan Rogue (185") - $24,800

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (185") - $24,950

The sales numbers of this segment are currently overinflated because shoppers are not familiar with the new, smaller nameplates. They are going for what they know (RAV4, CR-V) but will eventually spread out to other segments by 2020.

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2018 Subaru Outback

Midsize-Plus

* Similar length to midsize sedans / midsize wagons

Kia Sorento (187") - $25,900

Ford Edge (188") - $29,220

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (188") - $30,495

Jeep Grand Cherokee (189") - $30,695

Subaru Outback (190") - $25,895

Toyota 4Runner (190") - $34,610

Nissan Murano (192") - $30,800

This is going to be a pretty cool segment because the market concentration is between $30,000 to $55,000 and upwards. That allows mainstream brands to offer high horsepower, or great materials, impressive designs, crazy tech, or true off-roaders. I can almost guarantee a Murano Nismo, Outback STi, and Ford Bronco will all appear within the next 4 years.

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2018 Dodge Journey

Fullsize

* Similar length to fullsize sedans  

Dodge Journey (192") - $22,795

Hyundai Santa Fe (193") - $30,850

Toyota Highlander (193") - $31,030

GMC Acadia (194") - $29,000

Honda Pilot (195") - $30,900

*Toyota Land Cruiser is a premium vehicle. Ref: TLC (195") - $84,315

This segment is probably going to die. Everything will bump up a segment to over 195" in length in order to handle three-rows and cargo space better. But if you ever wondered why the Dodge Journey is still moving then compare the entry price and size to the segments below. The true cheapest new car in the US.

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2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Fullsize-Plus

* Similar length to minivans

Volkswagen Atlas (198") - $30,750

Ford Explorer (198") - $31,990

Nissan Pathfinder (199") - $31,040

Mazda CX-9 (199") - $32,150

Dodge Durango (201") - $29,995

Chevrolet Traverse (204") - $29,930

I’m hoping that either these are getting asymmetrical sliding doors on just the passenger side or couple of the minivans will get lifts and be added to this segment. Either way would be sweet. This segment is becoming pretty cool.

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2018 Toyota Sequoia

Truck

* Similar length to midsize trucks (extended cab, short box)

Chevrolet Tahoe (204") - $47,500

GMC Yukon (204") - $49,100

Toyota Sequoia (205") - $48,300

Nissan Armada (209") - $46,090

Ford Expedition (210") - $51,695

I could see a few diesels coming. I think that’s really it for surprises.

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2018 Ford Expedition

Truck-Plus

*Similar length to midsize trucks (crew cab, long box)

Ford Expedition Max (222") - $54,385

Chevrolet Suburban (224") - $50,200

GMC Yukon XL (224") - $51,800

After this you pretty much get into van and small RV territory. But there is room at around 230" in length where an Excursion could be resurrected as a limited production vehicle. Yes, I’m being serious. Including the tow hook it would be the same length as the widely popular F-150 Crew Cab Short Box.

I’ll knock out the premium and luxury brands next (Buick-Acura-Mini up to currently Bentley).

Captain of the Enterprise > Wobbles the Mind 02/03/2018 at 08:23

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What is the name of the model of the green Hyundai in the first picture?

Wobbles the Mind > Captain of the Enterprise 02/03/2018 at 08:34

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Hyundai Kona. Pricing was just released a day or two ago.

Ash78, voting early and often > Wobbles the Mind 02/03/2018 at 09:01

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Wow, very thorough. And nice use of a simple metric for classification!

I just don’t see how the market can sustain this. If you look at the pre-crossover boom, there was a lot more size variety in cars. Everything now seems crammed together with a lot of options. On the other hand, I’m impressed that the efficiency of modern manufacturing can handle all of this and still be (generally) profitable.

I still maintain that companies only try to compete in every segment because management refuses to look down at a report and see “0% market share” on anything. Plenty of these vehicles could straddle segments just fine (with trimlines and options) but then you couldn’t easily measure and compare.

My prediction: the smaller segments will have their model count halved within 5-7 years. Those are the “cute urban lofts” of cars. People buy them and as soon as they have a kid or have to start moving stuff around, they jump up (just like with housing). The good thing is, like you said, the larger segments have some really strong choices.

Or retirees continue buying tiny crossovers and keep the segments going...with our aging population, anything is possible.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 02/03/2018 at 09:30

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Pricing may sustain the smaller segments as well. Wages haven’t been going up as fast as car prices. Right now there are a lot of people buying the midsize and larger SUV’s on 6+ year loans to afford the payment. At some point that may not be sustainable and people who are used to high-riding vehicles will move into smaller more affordable crossovers rather than back to midsize sedans.

Svend > Wobbles the Mind 02/03/2018 at 09:33

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Add in the

Audi Q2

Q3

Kia Stonic

Peugeot 2008

Peugeot 3008

Renault Kadjar

Renault Koleos

SEAT Arona

SEAT Ateca

Skoda Karoq

Skoda Kodiaq

Vauxhall Crossland X

Vauxhall Grandland X

VW T-Roc

VW Tiguan SWB

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind 02/03/2018 at 09:37

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TIL the Kia Soul is a “utility”.

Also, looking at these classes gives some insight into the rapid sales rise of Subaru over the last 5-10 years. Their base prices are at the low end of every segment they compete in. Even more so when you throw in AWD standard that is a $1-2k option on a lot of vehicles they compete with. Sure they have some bits of “cheapness” to them, but they get enough of the basics right to get over it. When we bought our Outback new in 2013 it was the value that really sealed the deal. After dealer discounts we got a mid-level “2.5i Premium” with the CVT for $24,500 After going one trim up from base and adding AWD to other competitors we were looking at $27k+ for vehicles that didn’t really have any killer feature that the Outback didn’t.

Ash78, voting early and often > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 02/03/2018 at 09:43

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Fair point. On a “dollar per usefulness” metric, though, the larger vehicles win. That could be passenger capacity, cubic footage, etc. I think it all depends on whether people break their trade-in cycle and just keep the cars longer. If they don’t, price will win.

Captain of the Enterprise > Wobbles the Mind 02/03/2018 at 19:00

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Thanks! I like that it’s different but would rather have a cactus