The Rise of SUV Crossovers
As Seat announces its new Qashqai rivalling Ateca, we’ve taken a look at the increasing popularity of the SUV crossover
It should come as no surprise that small and mid-size SUV crossovers were one of the bestselling car classes of 2015, namely because they are everywhere. This particular car trend shows no signs of slowing down though, as car manufacturers race to introduce their own versions to market. Just this week, Seat has officially announced the arrival of its Ateca crossover – a new direct rival for the Qashqai.
At Cars on Demand UK we had a 34% increase in requests for SUV crossovers on short term leases throughout 2015, so we decided it was time to explore the rise of the SUV crossover and discover why so many people are converting from hatchbacks and saloons.
The words ‘company car’ tend to conjure up images of traditional saloons designed to withstand a lot of mileage, but since the introduction of the SUV crossover it’s all changing. Not only are crossovers deemed more practical, many manufacturers offer engines that are lower on emissions thereby fitting into lower tax brackets – a definite plus when buying company cars.
One of our most popular short term leases last year was the Nissan Qashqai. Credited as one of the original SUV crossovers, it combines the styling and practicality of an SUV with the drive and fuel efficiency of a hatchback. The Qashqai has firmly cemented itself as a company car favourite and continues to impress.
The Volvo XC60 has also proven a popular choice amongst fleet managers and not just because of all the extras that come as standard! The manual 2.0 litre diesel engine emits only 117g/km meaning it fits into the 19% tax bracket. It’s reasonably cheap to run especially with the falling fuel prices and cuts an impressive figure on the road.
Another favourite in the crossover market, which we saw rise in popularity throughout 2015 was the Audi Q3. Particularly popular with business and contract hire, the Audi Q3 retains the typically corporate styling associated with the German manufacturer as well as upgraded engines offering lower emissions and the compact handling of a smaller saloon.
At Cars on Demand we expect interest in crossovers to continue rising, especially with new releases from Mini, Fiat and BMW. What are your thoughts on crossovers? Would you consider introducing them to your business fleet?
