Honda CR-V replaces Explorer as best selling SUV in US
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Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: April 13, 2006
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From: McAllen, Texas
Honda CR-V replaces Explorer as best selling SUV in US
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/13/a...-best-selling/
It looks like the age of the traditional body-on-frame SUV is coming to a close for most mainstream customers. While there will continue to be a market for big SUVs like the Tahoe and Expedition for customers who actually need to haul or tow stuff, many customers in the high volume mid-sized segment are realizing they can get by with something a little smaller and lot more fuel efficient.
The Ford Explorer dominated SUV sales charts throughout the 1990s and into the first part of this decade with sales of 445,157 in 2000. In the last couple of years, however, Explorer sales have tanked seeing it drop from first to fourth on the sales charts. Last year ,sales dipped to 179, 229 and the freefall shows no signs of letting up. The numbers are down another twenty-three percent so far this year.
It looks like the age of the traditional body-on-frame SUV is coming to a close for most mainstream customers. While there will continue to be a market for big SUVs like the Tahoe and Expedition for customers who actually need to haul or tow stuff, many customers in the high volume mid-sized segment are realizing they can get by with something a little smaller and lot more fuel efficient.
The Ford Explorer dominated SUV sales charts throughout the 1990s and into the first part of this decade with sales of 445,157 in 2000. In the last couple of years, however, Explorer sales have tanked seeing it drop from first to fourth on the sales charts. Last year ,sales dipped to 179, 229 and the freefall shows no signs of letting up. The numbers are down another twenty-three percent so far this year.
Bullitt Member
Joined: June 21, 2005
Posts: 235
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Personally, I think that the CR-V is one of the ugliest vehicles ever produced...however...I would much rather see Ford build more off road oriented SUV's, whether it be a new Explorer, but particularly a new Bronco. Perhaps this could be enough to push them to do it. With any luck, they'll bring their new global small truck platform over with the new Ranger, and maybe that could spawn a new SUV.
FR500 Member
Joined: August 15, 2005
Posts: 3,084
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From: Honolulu
+1 on the CR-V being hideous. Guess a majority of buyers are finally realizing that they will never take their SUV off road or tow/haul heavy loads, so there is no need for a truck frame, 4WD system, and the associated weight which kills fuel economy. Ever-increasing fuel prices make the decision that much easier.
I don't think I'll ever understand people who actually buy ugly cars! 
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 31, 2004
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My wife drives a 2003 CR-V and we love it. It doesn't get great (around 25 combined) gas mileage but it works in place of the truck I traded in for the mustang. Ugly? Looks like every other small SUV out there if you ask me. The interior is nice too, once you get past the gear shift on the dash concept. With real time 4wd and snow tires that thing will go anywhere in the winter, saving the stang from more abuse. Never had any service issues with it and it's going past 50K this year. No popping front suspension points, no gas tank problems, the covers stay on the seats, no squeaking back brakes, (i can't recall what other issues i've fixed via TSB on the stang). All in all a pretty bullet proof little SUV. Will it go 0-60 in 5 or 13.7 in the 1/4? No, but that's not what it's made for. Will it haul both our bikes, or 400 pounds of dirt and yard supplies, oh yeah.
All in all, I love the CR-V. Don't be such haters
All in all, I love the CR-V. Don't be such haters
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 17, 2004
Posts: 396
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From: New Jersey
the past two generations of the CR-V were great....personally i've always like the escape better but i also liked the honda. This one however.......i just dont get it. I guess whoever buys it buys it because its a honda rather than for its "good looks"
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