As recently as two years ago, the South Korean Hyundai-Kia conglomerate was an also-ran in the mainstream three-row crossover segment of the U.S. auto industry. Combined sales of the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Veracruz were not enough to trouble General Motors.
Sales Numbers - Hyundai-Kia Mainstream Three-Row Crossovers - 2020 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 20 SHARE | Q4 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | YTD 20 SHARE | YTD 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | 34% | 26% | +187.66% | 82,661 | 28,736 | 36% | 16% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | 44% | 33% | +28.20% | 75,129 | 58,604 | 32% | 32% |
| KIA SORENTO | 22% | 41% | -22.17% | 74,677 | 95,951 | 32% | 52% |
| TOTAL | +26.83% | 232,467 | 183,291 |
A lot has happened since then. The Sorento has been replaced by a new model with the same name while a new model – the Kia Telluride – was introduced to slot above the Sorento as the largest vehicle the brand has ever produced for the U.S. market. Additionally, Hyundai replaced the Veracruz with the Hyundai Palisade. Sorento sales dipped in 2020, but the Palisade and Telluride experienced major growth in their first full year on the market, with total Hyundai-Kia sales in this segment jumping from 183,291 units in 2019 to 232,467 units in 2020.
Kia Sorento
GMC Acadia
That was a lower figure than the 246,551 sales achieved by the Chevrolet Traverse and its corporate cousin, the GMC Acadia, in 2019. However, sales of both GM three-row crossover models fell considerably in 2020 to 198,083 units. Unimaginable as it would have been in the past, Hyundai-Kia sold more three-row CUVs than GM did in the United States.
Sales Numbers - GM Mainstream Three-Row Crossovers - 2020 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 20 SHARE | Q4 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | YTD 20 SHARE | YTD 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | 66% | 63% | -14.67% | 125,546 | 147,122 | 63% | 60% |
| GMC ACADIA | 34% | 37% | -27.05% | 72,537 | 99,429 | 37% | 40% |
| TOTAL | -19.66% | 198,083 | 246,551 |
Kia Telluride
Of course, it helps the Hyundai-Kia cause that the Korean brands have three vehicles in the segment compared with two for GM (the Buick Enclave, another GM three-row crossover, is not included here because it is a premium vehicle, rather than a mainstream one). But the Koreans beating The General on its home turf is still something that would have been difficult to predict very recently, especially since the Chevy Traverse comfortably outsells the four other vehicles.
Sales Numbers - GM, Hyundai, Kia Mainstream Three-Row Crossovers - 2020 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 20 SHARE | Q4 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | YTD 20 SHARE | YTD 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | 33% | 30% | -14.67% | 125,546 | 147,122 | 29% | 34% |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | 17% | 14% | +187.66% | 82,661 | 28,736 | 19% | 7% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | 22% | 17% | +28.20% | 75,129 | 58,604 | 17% | 14% |
| KIA SORENTO | 11% | 21% | -22.17% | 74,677 | 95,951 | 17% | 22% |
| GMC ACADIA | 17% | 17% | -27.05% | 72,537 | 99,429 | 17% | 23% |
| TOTAL | +0.16% | 430,550 | 429,842 |
Ford Explorer
Viewing the segment as a whole, with all contenders included from all brands, the Traverse remained in third place in 2020, behind new segment-leading Ford Explorer and former leader, Toyota Highlander. The Honda Pilot was close behind the Traverse in fourth place.
But since no other automaker fields so many products in the same space, Hyundai-Kia is actually beating not only General Motors in terms of sales volume, but every other automaker as well.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Three-Row Crossovers - Q4 2020 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | YTD 20 SHARE | YTD 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | +20.93% | 226,217 | 187,061 | 17% | 14% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -11.34% | 212,276 | 239,438 | 16% | 18% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | -14.67% | 125,546 | 147,122 | 10% | 11% |
| HONDA PILOT | -8.29% | 123,813 | 135,008 | 9% | 10% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | +7.18% | 87,362 | 81,508 | 7% | 6% |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | +187.66% | 82,661 | 28,736 | 6% | 2% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | +28.20% | 75,129 | 58,604 | 6% | 4% |
| KIA SORENTO | -22.17% | 74,677 | 95,951 | 6% | 7% |
| GMC ACADIA | -27.05% | 72,537 | 99,429 | 6% | 7% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | -17.49% | 67,623 | 81,958 | 5% | 6% |
| DODGE DURANGO | -14.45% | 57,828 | 67,599 | 4% | 5% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | -26.05% | 48,579 | 65,691 | 4% | 5% |
| MAZDA CX-9 | +2.89% | 27,638 | 26,861 | 2% | 2% |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | -28.53% | 27,132 | 37,965 | 2% | 3% |
| TOTAL | -3.25% | 1,309,018 | 1,352,931 |
Hyundai Palisade
None of this implies that the situation will remain the same for long. The Hyundai-Kia models were still very new in 2020, and enthusiasm for them may already have started to dim. Additionally, the 2022 Chevy Traverse will undergo a mid-cycle enhancement (MCE) – originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed due to issues arising from the COVID pandemic – which will make it more appealing than the current model. And, as first reported by GM Authority, the next-generation GMC Acadia (likely arriving in 2023 as a 2024 model year vehicle) will become more spacious than the current model, as it will migrate to the long-wheelbase version of the C1 platform, making it similar in size to the Traverse.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
That said, Stellantis’ Jeep will enter the segment with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. This vehicle will certainly rival the Traverse and Acadia, while also pose a threat to all other contenders, including Hyundai-Kia.
Three-row Chevy Blazer (currently sold exclusively in China)
No matter what, one thing is clear: the three-row crossover space is already competitive today, and it will become even more so in the years ahead. Here’s to hoping that The General has a solid plan to win in this lucrative space. Perhaps adding the three-row Chevy Blazer, currently sold exclusively in China, to the North American lineup isn’t such a bad idea.
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Comments
Interesting, looks like GM have work to do. Stop being dependent on truck-based vehicles only.
“ The Sorento has been replaced by a new model with the same name…”
Gee. A new model but with the same name as a predecessor. Compare that against GM, where model names rarely survive more tha a few years, causing confusion for potential buyers, and lower resale value because “they don’t make those anymore”.
And yet, what’s Kia using for names on their sedans? Just a hint, they’re completely different and they’re copying the Germans.
The Gentle Grizzly
Kia Rondo Now Kia Sportage
Kia Bolero Now Kia Telluride
Kia Sedona Now Kia Carnival
Kia Optima Now Kia K5
Hyundai Amanti to Hyundai Equus to Genesis G90
Hyundai Tiburon Now Hyundai Veloster
cavalier to cobalt to cruze to discontinued camaro to discontinued to camaro to soon to be discontinued blazer to baby blazer to trailblazer to discontinued to blazer that cant blaze anything monte carlo to lumina to monte carlo to discontinued luv to s10 to colarado advanced design to taskforce to c/k to silverado your point
Sorry, my previous comment was in response to Gentle Grizzly’s comment. I thought I made that clear when I addressed the comment to “ The Gentle Grizzly. I’ll try and make my comments more idiot proof in the future.
replying for my husband I will circle back soon but he has been having big guy moments i will make sure he regularly take his geritol
HUH?
Kia Rondo is not the Sportage. The Rondo was discontinued in the USA, but was sold along side the Sportage there, and in Canada up until 2017. In other parts of the world, Rondo is called the Carens.
the Kia BORREGO (not Bolero) is still sold in other markets as the KIA MOJAVE. It’s not the Telluride.
Sedona and Optima have ALWAYS been Carnival and K5 in Kia’s home market of Korea.
Hyundai Tiburon became the Genesis Coupe. Veloster is an entirely different car.
Marc
Thanks, for the correction.
But my point of H/K changing the names of its vehicles still stands.
Just being whimsical, but, I often think KIA should have named their sedans with a music theme. Consider this: they had one called the Cadenza.
How about, from small to luxury: Solo, Trio, Sonatina, Sobata, Concerto, and Symphony?
What can I say? I’m just frustrated musician.
I was referring to this model. Not the entire line.
Buick Enclave ?
Mentioned in the fourth paragraph.
Nice-quality interiors. Nice design. Nice price.
A thing GM can’t do: it is always just one or two of the three things above.
and a 10yr 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and a 5 yr 60k bumper to bumper
The Hyundai CEO had to apologize at for all the engine issues last December that hurt earnings
And what did GM do over the ignition switches.
Tom
GM paid out an average of $1 million dollars per claim. Then it killed off the Chevy Cruze in the US deciding compact cars are more trouble than their worth.
the japenes and koreans do not feel they are more trouble than they are worth not every person has a need for a truck based vehicle or the bank account for one especially with the rising fuel costs
budlar
Daihatsu, SsangYong, Isuzu and Suzuki are no longer sold in the U.S.
Daewoo went broke and was sold to GM
KIA went broke and was sold to Hyundai
Mitsubishi went broke and was sold to Nissan
Nissan’s sales are falling off a cliff
Mazda is selling about as many vehicles in the U.S as Pontiac was. Right before GM discontinued the brand
Honda, Toyota and Kia are dropping car models right and left. Fit, Yaris, Cadenza, K9, Lexus GS, Acura RLX & NSX just last year.
That just leaves Subaru, and they are basically a crossover brand.
insignificants,look at kia/hyundai now-mini gm without full size framed vehicle for now, nissan got into bed w/ the french history shows what happens next,mazda and subaru has a lot of well reviewed vehicles and a faithful following, slow selling cars,a business decision,the only reason chrysler is still around is because us taxpayers paid the italians to save it.the only reason gm is not a truck/suv only manufacturer only swallowed up by a hedge fund in bankruptcy is an unprecedented intervention at taxpayer expense.
Guess that fifty shades of grey isn’t working for GM after all, huh? I, just like the government before 2009 thought that GM should just get down to Chevrolet and Cadillac, but if everything is going to SUV’s, why not just move GMC upmarket, keep Chevrolet as affordable, and drop Buick and Cadillac? Once the CT4 and CT5 are gone, Cadillac is what? Don’t even ask my opinion on Buick.
So they bail on traditional sedans to make boring and non descript crossovers in a market that’s completely saturated. Basically a washing machine on wheels. Just another appliance that has no style or art to it, the crossover in general. And…they are losing to Hyundai.
Hyundai, Kia 2 brands means you can sell twice as many to rental fleets.
the depreciation on them must not be so bad or else they would not invest in them resale is a big factor for them since they are dumped within 2 yrs.
I wonder how the massive Hyundai/Kia recall due to engine fires is going. Last I heard was that the manufacturer told owners not to park affected vehicles in garages or carports, and to disconnect the battery cables whenever parked, until recall is complete.
And prior to this current recall, back in 2015 there was another huge recall due to their engines seizing up, caused by manufacturing and assembly errors.
Additionally, I find it “interesting” that auto magazines and TV car review shows never seem to mention all the recall problems of those two brands when reviewing their cars.
all the oems have issues they are machines when one rises to perfection I will consider them
JMO, but over a half-million seized engines and vehicle fires in thousands of other new cars is more than an “issue.” Compound this with KIA’s balking at actually warrantying the problems (I have first-hand experience at this), and that’s reasonable cause to avoid this marque entirely (as well as KIA’s sister company, Hyundai) while cautioning potential buyers of what they might be getting into.
You’re right every body,s interior is killing GM All across the Board
Now all Hyundai/KIA needs is vehicle with longer life expectancies than fruit flies.
I had an 11 forte coupe wanted a 2door fwd only other choice a altima for 10 k more liked the kia better anyway, did have for then behind time electronics but no issues for 95 k and new owner only had to put $600 in it in 45 k epa classified as mid sized, it has more leg room than the 96 cutlass coupe it replaced
the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty is a big seller and if GM can’t build a vehicles they have enough faith in to do the same they should loose out. the problem is the GM warranty runs out before the payments
That’s exactly what I told my dealer when he was reviewing warranty info on my 2020 Chevy Sonic Hatchback. What’s the point of even making a car, if that’s how little you’re going to guarantee it.
IMHO, the Hyundai Palisade is Utt-bugly!
Looks like gm copied the styling of the Palisade to the 2022 Tahoe/Yukon, difficult to tell them apart on the road. We were about 1/2 block behind a new SUV, my wife said that Palisade really has dramatic style. Next intersection the light turned red. A we pulled up behind, turned out it wasn’t a Palisade but the all new 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe what set it apart was their was a bow tie on the SUV (station wagon Silverado).
You may want to get her to an eye dr as soon as possible because they look nothing alike. Or stop driving under the influence.
don’t these buyers know south korea is adjacent to the country responsible for pearl harbor!!!!
You do know that the majority of gm vehicles designed and engineered in S, Korea?
Steve
Yes, Michigan now only does GM’s: Trucks, Sports cars, Luxury Vehicles and anything bigger than a shoe box.
are you serious? are we to blame for canada problems?
of course it is ridiculous. i was making fun of a comment written by a toyota hater who wrote several times that consumers who buy japanese vehicles don’t know or care about about pearl harbor.
I have big guy moments, can not keep all regular commenter biases straight
A Berning BURN. LOL!
someone got it!!!
Japan lost with dignity and rebuilt. Now they build the best stuff in the world and have for 50 years.
This was easy to see. Hyundai and Kia are building vehicles that often undercut prices of other models. They did it in the car segment to Honda and Toyota so why not GM and Ford in the ever competitive SUV segment.
People generally buy this brand because they are often out the door cheaper and have a greater warranty. What they find after the sale is they get what they pay for. I have a number of friends who bought these brands but never went back as often they had issues. Note not all is covered by the warranty. Bad seat, carpet issues, broken sway bars, leaking shocks and struts, broken door handles brake issues, and more have befell most. Some covered some issues not.
Many people will put up with issues due to the lower price some not. The folks I know went back to the brands they left even if they had to buy used to get the better price. This is where GM does not show numbers.
To be honest the Buick and Cadillac should also be counted here as they draw away from the other GM models.
Might note too the three rows are not a must buy as they once were. Today many realize like I have you fold the third row and never use it. They have def3cted to models like the Blazer that is cheaper and two row.
This is a complicated thing to observe here as the customer base is not so cut and dry. With so many options and so many things this is a complex equation to know the full impact.
Add to this the GM models really are the oldest in class has impact too.
This is and will continue to play out and just a simple this vs that with select models will never tell the full story.
As for Hyundai. My buddy is a parts manager for a dealer. He is driving a Chevy. He has a discount for a Hyundai but that was not enough to convince him to change after dealing with the issues he finds.
As long as Mary GM is going all electric Barra is running the show GM will continue to lag behind !
What happens if people don’t want electric car? GM is down and out. I go on many 2000 mile trip now that I am retired and electric will never work for me.
Zero chance there’d ever be a South Korean vehicle parked in my driveway.
So you are saying you never want a gm vehicle?
My truck was made in Detroit in may 1984 with pre nafta steel. My Toyota’s were both made in Japan
I wouldn’t be surprised if Hyundai makes a lot of sales from the Genesis GV80. They would have the perfect spokesperson to sell the vehicle on all of its safety features.
maybe cadillac should run an ad about his 2009 crash in an escalade.
you would think a guy with such great hand/eye coordination could keep it between the ditches
if he was not already filthy rich he would make a commercial with video of that wreck and say I crawled away but I am all good now
What GM needs is a better design team. You can’t tell me Americans don’t want cars anymore. No we want cars with style and power, as those of the 60’s and 70’s why in the hell is Chrysler still selling a boat load of Chargers and Challengers and dumping a Hellcat in damn near everything, because they sell. I didn’t see the German automakers abandon sedans, they just made them all wheel drive, with a ton of power.
Price is what is killing GM.
only because you have limited choices if you want rwd. at that price point
I find the anti-Japan (i.e. Pearl Harbor) comments comical. People don’t care where vehicles are made. Easily half the Silverados on the road are made in Mexico. And that country has REALLY BIG ISSUES that affect us much more than South Korea or what happened decades ago in Pearl Harbor. Wow-you can tell the demographics of the commenters on this board……
Could it be that Hyundai-Kia has stepped up their game and are now building class-leading vehicles that people really want to buy that happen also to provide excellent value for money? To all those bloviating about Hyundai’s past reliability issues, has gm not also had more than its own fair share?
Maybe it’s time for gm to abandon this market, too like they’ve given up on so many others versus the obvious business case for building better, more desirable vehicles than the competition. No, that’d be too reasonable. Instead, let’s concentrate on whackadoo $100K Hummers and $200K electric Cadillacs. That’ll save you.
Hell, if you listen to all the basement statisticians on here, might as well hand over everything to the competition while you’re at it except trucks and the “vehicles almost no one wants, needs or can afford” segments.
gm will be absorbed by Wulling Motor as SAAB & Volvo were absorbed by Gheely.
Idiot boy
No, the Taxis around Chicago are still Toyotas and the and the Airport Limos are still Lincolns.
If Hyundai/ KIA/ Genesis built reliable vehicles commercial drivers would quickly switch over.
they did run out and buy volts either and taxis in chicago are mandated to be hybrid by the whacko pinkos that run that ghetto
I am tired of making excuses for GM any more. Damit I have been a life long GM owner and the last 20 years it has been really hit or miss with GM. They could of had a home run with the pickups but no they settled for a Base Run now its trying to catch up. I went and looked at Hyundai Palisade and Santa Fe to tell you the truth I was very impressed or the money of what you get. Five-year 60,000 bumper to bumper 10-year hundred thousand on the drivetrain
I took it as gm dumped sedans to grab a big share of the cuv market and now get sand kicked in there face
Last time , i put the comment on traverse saying Hyndai Kia sells more, some GM fans were busy putting – on my post.
The truth is Traverse is wasted opportunity, 3.6L 9 speed is fine m but they should had a progressive power train and ported voltec and e-awd to place as a good confidence product (16kwh battery, 30 miles only electric and gas power after say 2.5L hybrid – pacifica hybrid is a very good example of the confidence product ) . They need to make suites on safety tech ( like Toyota did ) and have it from base trim on.
You can’t sell products any more with the only being American.
Gm must step it up
In my view, there are only 3 forward looking products in this segment ( Pacifica Hybrid : Plug-in hybrid ( 16kwh battery and hybrid after , Toyota Sienna and Highlander ( hybrid + e-awd , i assume highlander moving to plugin + eawd which makes it most forward looking product but no adult size third raw ).
Traverse is a wasted opportunity on a great design. It looks marvelous but GM was not able to place it in the right spot (voltec + eawd ) and GM became looser on its own game they invented. The climate change and ice storm would have made people think more on this area and i think more sales will be in this area on near future ( even case like power is out for a couple of days , voltec + eawd + house hold generator capability will make this area attractive for a lot buyers who never preferred this area before )
The times they are a-changing.
Bob Dylan knew that some decades ago.
The Good ol’ USA – Like Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet… it’s all just goin’ away!
Farewell, Dr. Seuss, we’re gonna miss ya
HOW DO I GET GMAUTHORITY TO STOP SENDING ME UPDATES REGARDING NEW COMMENTS??? I’VE TRIED EVERYTHING!
how you normally block a sender or go to site map on this page and see if you can do it somehow
It’s right there beneath the Comment box – click “Manage your subscriptions”. I haven’t tried it yet; I actually enjoy this including all the retorts.
The Kia already looks old. Sales are going to fall. The Hyundai may not age as fast. Something Gm has going for them is their styling doesn’t look old after a year. Yes some will disagree but everything hyundai and kia makes looks old within a year. That warranty also does not transfer to a new owner so in the used car market they are not going to do well.
the bumper to bumper does the powertrain if you buy it from an oem dealer
Kia Seltos is a good car. Spacious and comfortably seats a family of 5. We have the petrol variant and so far haven’t faced any complications as such. In small-town roads which aren’t smooth, it performs decently well.