The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20140112224330/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/facts/m/2012_fotw726.html
Vehicle Technologies Office: Fact #726: May 7, 2012<br/>SUVs: Are They Cars or Trucks?
U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies OfficeFact of the Week

Site Navigation ↓

Fact #726: May 7, 2012
SUVs: Are They Cars or Trucks?

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards set for model years (MY) 2011 through 2016 include small, 2-wheel drive sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with cars instead of light trucks. Until this regulation, all SUVs were categorized as light trucks, along with pickups and vans. A recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency shows how many SUVs fall into this new "non-truck SUV" category. The production data show that most SUVs are "truck SUVs" which will continue to be in the light truck category. However, in MY 2011 nearly 1.1 million non-truck SUVs (9.4% of 2011 light-duty vehicle sales) are now classified as cars that in previous years would have been classified as light trucks. A listing of which vehicles are included in the non-truck SUV category in MY 2011 is below.

SUV Production by Truck/Non-Truck Category, MY 1970-2011Graphic showing SUV production by truck/non-truck cateogry for model years 1970 to 2011. For more detailed information, see supporting information below.
List of Non-Truck SUVs, MY 2011
Mazda TRIBUTE HYBRID 2WD
Ford ESCAPE HYBRID FWD
Ford MARINER HYBRID FWD
Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT 2WD
Hyundai TUCSON 2WD
Kia SPORTAGE 2WD
Nissan ROGUE FWD
Chrysler Compass 2WD
Chrysler Patriot 2WD
Mitsubishi OUTLANDER 2WD
Honda CR-V 2WD
Mazda TRIBUTE FWD
Toyota RAV4 2WD
Kia SORENTO 2WD
Ford ESCAPE FWD
Ford MARINER FWD
Toyota VENZA
Hyundai SANTA FE 2WD
Mazda CX-7 2WD
Honda ELEMENT 2WD
VW TIGUAN
Ford ESCAPE FWD FFV
Ford MARINER FWD FFV
Mazda TRIBUTE FWD FFV
Toyota HIGHLANDER 2WD
Suzuki GRAND VITARA
Honda RDX 2WD
Volvo XC60 FWD
Toyota RX 350
Toyota 4RUNNER 2WD
Honda PILOT 2WD
Toyota FJ CRUISER 2WD
Daimler GLK 350
Nissan XTERRA 2WD
Chrysler Liberty 2WD
Chrysler Nitro 2WD
Mitsubishi ENDEAVOR 2WD
GM EQUINOX FWD
GM TERRAIN FWD
Ford EDGE FWD
Honda ACCORD CROSSTOUR 2WD
Ford MKX FWD
Volvo XC70 FWD
GM SRX 2WD
Spyker 9-4X FWD
Ford EXPLORER FWD
Nissan MURANO FWD
Chrysler Journey FWD
Mazda CX-9 2WD
Ford FLEX FWD
Hyundai VERACRUZ 2WD
Nissan FX35 RWD
Chrysler Grand Cherokee 2WD
Kia BORREGO 2WD
Nissan PATHFINDER 2WD

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2011, EPA-420-R-12-001, March 2012.

Supporting Information

SUV Production by Truck/Non-Truck Category, MY 1975-2011
Model Year Non-Truck SUV Truck SUV Total SUV
Production (Millions)
1975 14.9% 85.1% 0.2
1976 12.9% 87.1% 0.2
1977 15.8% 84.2% 0.3
1978 10.0% 90.0% 0.4
1979 6.2% 93.8% 0.4
1980 2.3% 97.7% 0.2
1981 1.9% 98.1% 0.1
1982 11.0% 89.0% 0.2
1983 12.0% 88.0% 0.3
1984 9.5% 90.5% 0.6
1985 14.2% 85.8% 0.7
1986 8.8% 91.2% 0.8
1987 11.9% 88.1% 0.9
1988 12.1% 87.9% 1.0
1989 12.9% 87.1% 0.9
1990 10.3% 89.7% 0.7
1991 21.1% 78.9% 1.1
1992 25.2% 74.8% 1.0
1993 37.0% 63.0% 1.3
1994 20.4% 79.6% 1.6
1995 17.2% 82.8% 1.8
1996 25.8% 74.2% 1.9
1997 22.9% 77.1% 2.4
1998 23.2% 76.8% 2.6
1999 22.6% 77.4% 2.8
2000 24.6% 75.4% 3.1
2001 33.1% 66.9% 3.4
2002 28.2% 71.8% 4.2
2003 24.5% 75.5% 4.1
2004 23.6% 76.4% 4.7
2005 26.0% 74.0% 4.1
2006 28.7% 71.3% 3.8
2007 29.8% 70.2% 4.2
2008 30.5% 69.5% 4.0
2009 34.8% 65.2% 2.3
2010 33.8% 66.2% 3.2
2011 33.0% 67.0% 3.5

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2011, EPA-420-R-12-001, March 2012.

Return to 2012 Facts of the Week

Back to Top | View Full Site
Vehicle Technologies Office Home | EERE Home
Webmaster | Search
Content Last Updated: 05/02/2012