We've been predicting a possible upset in the SUV market with the introduction of the excellent 2013 Ford Escape, which has just started to appear in dealerships in consistent numbers. Well, it looks like our prediction came true for June, with Ford's new compact SUV out-selling the previously untouchable Honda CR-V by a solid 5218 units. The third-place Chevrolet Equinox also out-paced the next-closest Toyota RAV4 by a decisive 5664 units.
Further down the list, the Jeep Wrangler topped the Ford Explorer by a few hundred units, the Nissan Rogue came in eighth, and the tenth-place Toyota Highlander edged out the Ford Edge by just 120 units for the month. The Kia Sorento, which has alternated on and off the SUV top 10 list, narrowly comes out ahead of the Highlander to take ninth place for the month.
1. Ford Escape – 28,500, Up 28 Percent
For a while, it seemed like nobody could come close to the Honda CR-V's sales dominance, but with the introduction of the
2013 Ford Escape, and its first full month available in dealerships, Ford has pulled off a decisive sales victory for June, selling 5218 more units than Honda's CR-V. We will see if Ford can maintain this lead for the balance of calendar 2012 and into 2013.
2. Honda CR-V – 23,282, Up 50.3 Percent
The king has fallen, but not by much. Year-to-year June sales are up a big 50.3 percent, but unit sales are down 1904 from May 2012. The other factor helping Ford topple the CR-V are the remaining 2012 models with rebates and incentives still on the lot. Once remaining 2012 inventory is sold off, Honda could re-gain its top spot.
3. Chevrolet Equinox – 20,793, Up 15.8 Percent
The
Equinox
continues to be a solid performer in the SUV segment, with June 2012 shaping up to be one of the strongest months yet for the model. June sales topped May's strong performance by 555 units, which itself was 174 units ahead of March.
4. Toyota RAV4 – 15,129, Up 66.2 Percent
The RAV4 had a chart-busting May, but sales have cooled off on a per-unit basis for June considerably. Year-over-year June sales saw a 66.2 increase, but June's unit sales fell by 4119 compared to May.
5. Jeep Wrangler – 14,461, Up 28 Percent
The
Wrangler continues to be an enduring hit for Jeep and Chrysler, so much so that the company is making a multi-million dollar investment into the Toledo, Ohio plant that builds them for worldwide consumption. Sales are up year-over-year, and up by a mere 7 units over May's strong performance.
6. Ford Explorer – 14,022, Up 34.5 Percent
Ford's midsize bread-and-butter SUV is up a big 34.5 percent for year-over-year June sales, but fell 640 units short of May's performance, which surpassed both April and March unit sales. But Ford should take some solace in that it out-sold archrival Chevy's Traverse by a solid 4452 units, which didn't even make the top 10 cut for June.
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee – 12,506, Up 39 Percent
The Grand Cherokee showed a solid 39 percent year-over-year June increase, but came 768 units short of its May performance. Nevertheless, Jeep's midsize standard-bearer has been a consistent top 10 contender in 2012.
8. Nissan Rogue – 10,999, Up 46.8 Percent
The Rogue has been a periodic top 10 surprise for 2012, popping its head up from time-to-time. Its conservative but tasteful mini-Murano styling and no-nonsense practicality have made it Nissan's top-selling SUV. Its June total is more than double its big brother Murano's 4477 unit total for the month.
9. Kia Sorento – 10,826 Up 7.5 Percent
The Sorento has been another model that's been on and off the top 10 list over the course of 2012. Year-over-year sales are up modestly, but unit sales fell from May by 251 units. The Sorento is Kia's second best-selling model after the popular Optima sedan, with the boxy Soul compact crossover hatch taking the third place spot.
10. Toyota Highlander – 10,379, Up 41.6 Percent
The Highlander showed a solid double-digit year-over-year improvement for June, but unit sales fell by 1278 units compared to May. With a refreshed Sorento around the corner, the Highlander may feel the heat of competition warming up in the months ahead.