With its small volume, the Large SUV segment in Europe is one of the most volatile. It shrunk 24% in 2013 before rebounding 22% in 2014 and another 23% last year. The segment is 100% Asian manufacturers and heavily controlled by Hyundai-Kia, which increase their combined share to 65,7% in 2015. The Kia Sorento is the new leader of the segment with sales up 76% to take more than a third of the segment total sales in Europe, helped by the new generation launched last year. It leapfrogs the Hyundai Santa Fe which has led the segment for the three previous years. Together, the couple has taken the two top spots of the segment for 7 years in a row now.
The Toyota Land Cruiser holds on to its third place despite losing 3% of its volume and having to fight off the Mitsubishi Pajero, which surges 22% despite being almost 10 years old. The SsangYong Rexton continues its continuous improvement after the brand has returned from bankruptcy, while the Mazda CX-9 miraculously reappears in the ranking. Nissan has given up on the segment as Europe will not get the next generations of the Murano and Pathfinder. The 7-seat X-Trail will have to do for Nissan customers who need more space.
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