September 2018 Crossover Sales Report: Big Month for Jeep, Luxury Crossovers Gain Ground

September 2018 crossover sales reports have been released – which manufacturers rose to the top last month?

Crossovers are a massively competitive segment. Across the size spectrum from compact to midsize, these vehicles accounted for hundreds of thousands of new car purchases just last month. But which manufacturer came out on top in September 2018? Well, that depends on how you slice it. In this comprehensive sales report, we’ve compared each size category and their competitors to see which one was the best-seller, by sheer volume, last month. We report full-size SUV sales on TFLtruck.com. We’re including mainstream and luxury crossovers in different sections, listed by size category.

Another important note: GM has reported their third quarter sales for 2018. Figures in this report are based on an average sales figure over three months. If a certain model sold 30,000 units in a quarter, this this report will show 10,000 units as an average monthly sales figure, including September 2018.

This post may be updated as sales figures are released.

Jump to segment:

• Mainstream crossovers: Subcompact | Compact | Midsize
• Luxury crossovers: Subcompact | Compact | Midsize

Subcompact Crossovers (Winner: Jeep Renegade)

 The subcompact crossover market has been a mixed bag these past several months, and September 2018 is no exception. The Jeep Renegade came out on top once more, but its sales slipped 13.9 percent over 2017. Other models also declined, including the Chevrolet Trax and its Buick stablemate, the Encore.

Ford’s EcoSport gained ground on perennial favorites like the Honda HR-V, and so did the Kona. Nissan’s new Kicks also sold 3,498 units, so increased competition in the field could explain why most models in the segment lost some ground in sales.

*New model – 2017 sales figures are not available.

***GM Quarterly Sales:
– Chevrolet Trax: 20,549 units (Q3 2017: 23,146 units – down 11.2%)
– Buick Encore: 21,112 units (Q3 2017: 22,432 units – down 5.9%)

Compact Crossovers (Winner: Toyota RAV4)

Another month, another overall win for the Toyota RAV4. No surprises here – the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V round out the top three. However, both the Rogue and RAV4’s sales dipped more than 10 percent compared to September 2017. The brand new Toyota RAV4 is coming soon, so buyers are likely holding out for the 2019 model to hit dealer showrooms.

The Jeep Compass continued its upward march, gaining 45.5 percent in sales over September 2017. The revamped Volkswagen Tiguan also did well, while the aging Escape slipped 20.2 percent. Mazda’s CX-5 also dipped 15.3 percent, and Mitsubishi also declined, although the company’s sales are up for 2018 as a whole.

*New model – 2017 sales figures are not available.

**Includes sales of the Outlander PHEV.

***GM Quarterly Sales:
– GMC Terrain: 27,428 units (Q3 2017: 24,055 units – up 14%)
– Buick Envision: 5,803 units (Q3 2017: 7,838 units – down 26%)

Midsize Crossovers/SUVs (Winner: Jeep Cherokee)

With the Compass, Cherokee and Wrangler, Jeep sales are on a roll. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee sits in Jeep’s range between the smaller Compass and the larger Grand Cherokee, but FCA markets the model as a midsize SUV. The refreshed model is proving popular, as sales shot up 86.6 percent over September 2017, before the Cherokee KL received a facelift.

Honda also refreshed the Pilot for the 2019 model year. That seems to have given the model’s sales a boost, as they’re up 50.2% over September 2017. The Dodge Journey, which is an aging model to say the least, gained 47.9% over September 2017. That’s likely due to its extremely low price – $22,995 and up for a seven-seater SUV is tough to beat. Weirdly, the decade-old Ford Flex also gained some ground, with sales increasing 25.7 percent over last year.

*New model – 2017 sales figures are not available.

***GM Quarterly Sales:
– Chevrolet Traverse: 32,908 units (Q3 2017: 31,906 units – up 3.1%)
– GMC Acadia: 13,485 units (Q3 2017: 26,783 units – down 49.7%)
– Buick Enclave: 12,807 units (Q3 2017: 11,963 units – up 7.1%)

Subcompact Luxury Crossovers (Winner: BMW X2)

Folks seem to like the BMW X2’s coupe-like styling and sporty ride, as it just squeezed past the Mercedes-Benz GLA to take September’s top sales spot. The X2 is an all-new model, so it will be awhile before we can comment on its momentum into next year. However, it seems people are shying away from the X1 in favor of the X2. The BMW X1, which normally wins this segment, dropped by 17.9 percent over September 2017.

Audi’s Q3 also dropped significantly – 36.5 percent from September 2017. It is a bit long in the tooth now, and a new model has already emerged for the European market. The Infiniti QX30 continues to struggle, shifting just 560 units last month – a 46.8 percent drop from last September.

*New model – 2017 sales figures are not available.

Compact Luxury Crossovers (Winner: Audi Q5)

Sometimes, a refresh can really do wonders for sales. Take the Audi Q5 – it did recently get a refresh, but it’s not radically different from the old version. Nevertheless, sales have picked up 61.4 percent, and the Q5 took the segment on sales volume. Likewise, the BMW X3 nearly tripled its sales over September 2017, as a refreshed version also emerged. The new Acura RDX has provided a 54.3 percent increase, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC also gained 30.2 percent in sales last month.

While the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Infiniti QX50 and Volvo XC60 – all new models this year – did well, the same can’t be said for the Lexus NX or Cadillac XT5. The NX slipped by 9.9 percent, while XT5 sales dipped 24.7 percent. Lincoln’s MKC, which is due for replacement soon, also dropped 8.1 percent from September 2017.

*New model – 2017 sales figures are not available.

***GM Quarterly Sales:
– Cadillac XT5: 15,093 units (Q3 2017: 20,042 units – down 24.7%)

Midsize Luxury Crossovers (Winner: Lexus RX)

Yes, the Lexus RX wins the midsize luxury crossover segment once again. However, its sales did drop slightly from September 2017, as did nearly every other model in the segment. Sales seem to be tightening in the midsize market, as Acura, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Lincoln and BMW all lost ground to some extent.

The Porsche Cayenne, however, picked up by 26.9 percent thanks to its recent refresh. The BMW X6, as well, picked up by 25.6 percent. Overall, the Lexus RX remains well in front – showing it’s the current champion of midsize luxury crossovers.

Come back to TFLcar.com for more sales updates!