Looking to source SUVs for your dealership?
You don’t want to miss out on experiencing an SUV auction with ACV online car auctions. Where you can bid on quality, affordable used SUVs and posh SUVs just like these.
As a car dealer, you’ll want to stay in the know about a few key trends and demographics. You’ll find this information useful when it’s time to decide what SUVs to buy.
Trends in SUVs
SUVs can be stylish, luxurious, or have more of a rugged feel. They may mix features such as car-like handling and sedan-type interior amenities as well as off-roading capabilities. And the powertrain choices for SUVs give consumers options like electric, hybrid, gas, or diesel to suit almost any lifestyle.
So, what trends are surrounding SUVs these days?
Off-Road Lite
Automakers are starting to offer crossover SUVs and trim packages that cater to an adventurer aesthetic, but boast little true off-road capabilities. These models often combine a rugged appearance with creature comforts and amenities that consumers crave. The Kia X-Pro and GMC AT4 are just a couple of models that have the look, but not enough substance to function effectively as true off-roaders.2
Market Shortages
During the pandemic, a shortage of microchips and semiconductors led to supply chain issues. This caused new vehicle production to come to a halt. Used vehicles became a highly attractive choice for consumers, which caused an increase in used car prices. Overall, used car prices increased in May 2022 by an average of 16.9% from May of the previous year. Used SUVs saw a price hike of approximately $5,000 (or 17%) from May 2021 to May 2022.3
Demographic and Regional Popularity
So, what is an SUV, and what demographic is buying them?
SUVs (or sport utility vehicles) have become a common staple for most automotive manufacturers. They are often available in a variety of sizes making it easy to find the type of SUV that will be an optimal fit for your dealership lot.
Carmax has found that the average age for a buyer for an SUV is 42.6 years old. And for brands that manufacture SUVs like Jeep and Toyota, the average purchase ages are 39.1 to 41.5 years old, respectively.4
SUVs are all the rage and the most favored vehicle in 45 out of 50 states, according to iSeeCars. New York comes in first with the highest number of SUVs on the road (53%)
Other states with the highest number of SUVs include:
Rhode Island (49%) / Connecticut (48%) / Pennsylvania (48%) / New Jersey (48%) / Colorado (47%)
Vermont (46%) / New Hampshire (46%) / Wisconsin (46%)
Rhode Island
(49.6%)
/
Connecticut
(48%)
Pennsylvania
(48%)
/
New Jersey
(48.5%)
Colorado
(47.8%)
/
Vermont
(46.8%)
New Hampshire
(46.8%)
/
Wisconsin
(46.7%)
Best Selling SUV Models
Prices are rising, and inventory is low. Ultimately, dealers should be aware of what matches their customers’ vehicle goals. ACV auto auctions offer low-mileage and quality larger-scale vehicles for bidders. With ACV, you can buy auction cars online.
So what are some of the top-selling compact and mid-sized SUV models for 2022? Check out our list below.
Other contenders for best sellers include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue, Ford Explorer, Honda HR-V, and Ford Escape.8 Some of the best new SUVs of 2022 are the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volkswagen Tiguan, BMW X1, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC-Class, Chevy Tahoe, Volvo XC40, Hyundai Santa Fe, and GMC Yukon.12
The Lexus LX 570 was named the Best Luxury Large SUV and the Acura RDX was ranked as the Best Luxury Small SUV on the iSeeCars list of Best Used Cars for 2022. And the Subaru Crosstrek is listed as the runner-up for Best Subcompact SUV.10