Why are Compact SUVs gaining such popularity?

When it came to luxury cars, sedans were always the first choice in India. The 3 box design always pleased the people, giving a sense of opulence and sophistication which the hatchbacks and the SUVs failed to provide.

SUVs were majorly popular with people who had huge families or lived in places with pathetic roads. Sedans like Honda City, Mitsubishi Lancer, Ford Ikon or Maruti Esteem were popular with dignitaries who wanted a vehicle with a sense of sophistication and style statement.

Modern SUVs

This was changed with the launch of Mahindra XUV 500 in India. The wasn't like another typical SUV which were offered in the Indian Market, but was way more 'car like' with high ground clearance. The XUV 500 was based on a monocoque chassis unlike the other SUVs which were based on a ladder frame chassis. This made the XUV more easier to drive and control at high speeds. The monocoque chassis made the car more lighter, hence making the car more sprightly and provided more agility.The XUV 500 was a game changer for the Indian Market as it provided the qualities of an SUV with the drivability of a small car. It was also very competitively priced, making it an even more value for money buy.

The Game Changer

The Indian market is extremely price sensitive, hence we needed an SUV which was priced below the XUV. Here came the compact SUVs. Renault launched its compact SUV, Duster, in 2012. But the car which proved to be a game changer was Ford's Ecosport.

This was a sub 4 metre compact SUV which allowed it to get ta exemptions from the government, hence making it even more cheaper to buy. The Ecosport proved to be a hit among the masses and it facilitated the demand for compact SUVs. The small form factor with ample ground clearance and excellent drivability made the Ecosport a perfect car for the people.

Soon many carmakers launched their own sub 4 metre compact sedans. Maruti's Vitara Brezza, Tata's Nexon and Honda's WRV tasted success soon after their launch in the market as the demand for such cars was very high.

The things which made these cars extremely popular was good ground clearance, sense of a being in a big car, drivability of a hatchback, and a decent space. No other car could prove to be a perfect all in one car like the compact SUVs. The versatility they provided was enough to sway the consumers to their side.

Soon the hatchbacks and the Compacts SUVs were the only ones which ruled the Indian Market. Maruti Suzuki's Vitara Brezza won the sales race among the compact SUVs and judging the current trend, i am quite sure that this race is won't be ending soon enough.