The small crossover and SUV segment is the third largest segment in Europe, behind the subcompact and compact cars, and ahead of the compact crossovers. Sales were up 16% in 2019 to 2.4 million, which is 15.3% of the European car market and just a quarter million sales behind compact cars, which means small crossovers could become the second largest segment in Europe in 2020 if the current momentum is maintained, which is very likely to happen. Only one nameplate in the top-10 doesn’t set a new annual sales record and two of the top-4 models have just been renewed and a number of plug-in hybrid and EV versions will arrive in 2020.
After the Dacia Duster surprisingly claimed the top spot after three quarters in 2019, the Renault Captur struck back in Q4 to reclaim the segment crown it has held ever since its first full year of sales 2014. The Captur appears unhindered by a model changeover in Q4 as sales of the outgoing generation have remained flat while the new model is responsible for the additional sales and will reach its full potential only in 2020. An optional plug-in hybrid version should help the segment leader defend its top spot even better this year.
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