Is there a market for mini SUVs? And that's small 'm' mini, not necessarily big 'm' Mini. Recently, we've had a pair small crossover SUVs stop by Edmunds HQ -- the Nissan Juke and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport -- with indeed Mini's own Countryman soon on its way.
These all challenge the definition of an SUV as they don't have big back seats and don't have much cargo capacity. By what I can tell, they simply look SUV-like and provide that tall driving position drivers appreciate. While it's probably preaching to the choir to say that vehicles like the Juke are a little silly given that a Versa is more practical, I do think there's a market for them since people do want to sit high and would rather have their hatchbacked vehicle look like an SUV rather than a hatchback (whether they want them to look like an alien frog with a caterpillar drive is another all together).
Take my mother, for instance. She enjoys her CR-V, but I'd be shocked if she ever fully utilizes the car's 73 cubic feet of space. If there was a smaller vehicle with good visibility that still allowed her to sit up high, I think she'd be on board given she found her old Acura MDX far too large. Parents with kids still in the house may still want a bigger crossover, but for empty nesters or singles, I think mini SUVs like the Juke, Outlandero Deportes and Countryman make a lot of sense. I wouldn't be surprised to see more popping up from other manufacturers.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
By billt9
on August 11, 2010
03:50 AM
The Juke certainly is getting much better reviews than the Versa. It's agile, fun to drive, it's 4WD, and it's got ground clearance.
I don't see how the Versa is more practical in any way, except cheap in price. If you can afford it, there is not one thing a Versa does better than a Juke.
By 06scooby
on August 11, 2010
06:46 AM
I'd like to see the versa with the turbo Juke motor... that would be sweet!
I agree though... especially for empty nesters that live in snowy areas, these provide a compact SUV alternative that still gets you a couple inches off the ground and AWD. I really like the Mini Countryman by the way... not so much lovin on the Juke or the Outlandero Deportes (awesome JRiz)
By blueguydotcom
on August 11, 2010
07:09 AM
For us, parents with 1 kid, the Countryman or Juke would be fine. We get by fine with a Mazda3 and A3. The only time we want more space is when we need to transport a taller item. X3/X1 are on our shopping list for 2012, with a smattering of diesel choices too.
By dderosa
on August 11, 2010
09:45 AM
"I don't see how the Versa is more practical in any way, except cheap in price. If you can afford it, there is not one thing a Versa does better than a Juke."
The Versa has a much bigger back seat and its hatchback trunk is more useable.
By blackadder5639
on August 11, 2010
03:15 PM
"Is There a Market for mini SUVs?"
Most definitely! It's stylish, probably fast, still offers the high seating position that people like so much. It won't satisfy tradutional SUV buyers, who want a spacious vehicle for family use, but for many others who want a stylish vehicle with a little bit more room than a traditional hatchback such as a Mazda 6, VW Golf or Toyota Matrix, the mini SUV makes a strong case.
By DLu
on August 12, 2010
09:04 AM
Each to his/her own regarding seat height preference... I find that people who like to sit higher tend to be people who don't like driving (fast ... around corners). So yes, there will be many who will embrace these exercises of form over function. I find that most small SUV's have a marginal advantage over their "fuddy" wagon/hatchback counterparts. I have yet to meet someone who owns something other than a Wrangler or pickup that goes off paved roads, so ground clearance are just good for going over speed bumps too fast. I live in New England; most people live in or near a city where there's never more snow on the roads than what a set of winter tires can handle. Farther out people buy something bigger because there's a lot more than the itty bitty Juke/Countryman can handle anyway.
People seem insecure -- this above picture, if you showed it to someone before the 1990's SUV-craze, looks like that of a wagon. now it's like a dirty word -- make it look like a wagon or hatchback, but call it a CROSSOVER or SUV. We end up buying a lot of the same things anyway. So yes, there's a market for any new product with a catchy name. They'll probably call them SCV's later...
By dougtheeng
on August 12, 2010
10:40 AM
i hate the idea of this vehicle coming from MINI, but I won't deny that there is a market for it. If priced right, these small SUVs can fit right in with compact cars. There are plenty of people, myself included, who like the driving position and visibility of a small CUV/SUV. I have the Kia Soul right now - its not actually very large inside or out, but its fine for myself 99% of the time. In fact, shaving some space out of the back seat to make it even smaller would be a great thing.