Why subcompact SUVs are the worst

I’ll be upfront here, I think compact SUVs are terrible. This isn’t because I think they are poorly designed, bad looking or terrible to drive. It’s because they are impractical and simply another way for car manufacturers to cash in on the SUV craze.

In reality most of the compact SUVs are simply slightly taller, AWD versions of the small hatchbacks that they were previously making. This segment is absolutely full of them – the Mazda CX3, Toyota C-HR, Mini Cooper Countryman or Chevrolet Trax. These are all very similar to small hatchbacks that the company was, or still is, manufacturing.

Take for example the Mazda CX3. This is almost identical to the Mazda 2, only slightly larger and AWD. The CX3 has received the latest Mazda styling and tech, but ultimately is the same vehicle. Last year Mazda released the Mazda 3 AWD in an effort to curb the sales decline.

The same goes for the Toyota C-HR. The C-HR is essentially a raised up Corolla hatchback with some slightly tweaked styling and a worse name (C-HR stands for Compact High Rider). Or the Chevy Trax and the Cruze hatchback. I could go on, but you get the picture.

I have always been perplexed by the fact that nobody will buy a hatchback car in North America. But if that car is raised up and called an SUV, sales skyrocket. The functionality is nearly identical, the fun factor is usually higher in the car version and the fuel economy in the car is far superior. My ex-wife used to tell me it’s due to the style of a hatchback car, yet she liked the look of an SUV. When I would point out that SUVs are inherently hatchbacks I was told that ‘they’re different’ – I don’t get it.

The latest casualties are the Ford Focus and Fiesta. In North America they have been replaced by the Ford Ecosport. I firmly believe that the only reason Honda hasn’t canned the Civic yet, or why Mazda hasn’t cancelled the Mazda 3 is because they sell so well, although this didn’t stop Ford. The Focus and Fiesta sold a combined 165,075 units in 2018. While the Focus’s sales have halved in the past 4 years 113,000 units is still more than the entire sales of Mini in 2018, which were just 40,000 units combined.

I’m not against SUVs, far from it. I’m just saying that if you’re wanting a subcompact vehicle with practicality, just get a hatchback car while you still can. At this rate, pretty soon they’ll be gone.

Let me know what you think about sub-compact SUVs in the comments below!