Industry Report Part 3: Compact SUVs Growing as Full-Size Sport Ute Sales Wane

New Hyundai and Kia Entries Raise Bar in Compact SUV Segment

Most automakers sell compact SUVs, with some such as Honda and Nissan offering two apiece with their respective CR-V and Element,

Jeep is expected to join the compact SUV market with a vehicle based off of the compact car platform. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

plus X-Trail and Xterra models. There are a few, however, that don't offer a single C-segment sport 'ute at all, once again leaving room for growth.

Topping the opportunity waiting to happen list once again is Chrysler Group, with only its off-road specialized Jeep Liberty to contend. Just one entry in the compact SUV class, and a truck-like one at that, means Detroit's number three automaker needs to bolster its bottom end lineup. Expected is a new Jeep based off of the compact car platform, joined by a C-segment Dodge SUV. Chrysler won't enter this market, as it targets more luxury-oriented buyers.

Volkswagen is strangely out of this category as well, bringing its mid- to full-size Touareg to market but leaving buyers

Set to do battle with the best-selling Ford Escape and popular Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, among others, will be a new Chevy Equinox-based Pontiac Torrent. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

wanting something smaller to look elsewhere. According to reports, the void will be filled shortly, with an SUV based off of the next-generation Golf.

What else is happening in small SUVs? Set to do battle with the best-selling Ford Escape and popular Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, among others, will be a new Chevy Equinox-based Pontiac Torrent. It's sure to perform better than the much maligned Aztek that will be dropped. A Suzuki variant, replacing the Grand Vitara, should be showing up on an auto show stand soon as well.