Low Fuel Prices Lift Large Crossovers, Honda Pilot Gains Big in January [Sales Report]

2015, honda, pilot, ford, explorer

The 2015 Honda Pilot was the most improved full-size crossover for January as it nearly doubled its sales from a year ago, taking over the number-two spot from the 2015 Toyota Highlander.  However, the 2015 Ford Explorer remained on top of the full-size crossover segment with a very strong 28.2% sales increase.

TFLcar reached out to Honda for more details, and Honda answered that Pilot’s eight-passenger capability, good fuel economy, lower gas prices, and a nationwide “Pilot Clearance” ad campaign combined to drive higher sales in recent months.

Coming next week, TFLcar will bring you the LIVE-STREAM DEBUT of the all-new 2016 Honda Pilot from the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.

The 2015 Chevy Traverse had positive success as it grew 89.1%; it grabbed fourth place. The 2015 Hyundai SantaFe and 2015 Nissan Pathfinder had a good month as well, with The Pathfinder hopping over the 2015 GMC Acadia to secure seventh place.

Low fuel prices did not, however, appear to help the Dodge Durango or the Mazda CX-9 as both saw a decline in numbers.

Expect to see more growth in this segment if and as fuel prices continue to stay low.

Full-size Crossover – January 2015

Jan 2015 # Jan ’15 / ’14 % YTD 2015 # YTD ’15 / ’14 %
Ford Explorer 14,995 28.2% 14,995 28.2%
Honda Pilot 12,315 97.9% 12,315 97.9%
Toyota Highlander 11,060 3.6% 11,060 3.6%
Chevrolet Traverse 10,151 89.1% 10,151 89.1%
Hyundai SantaFe* 7,749 15.3% 7,749 15.3%
Kia Sorento 7,543 6.3% 7,543 6.3%
Nissan Pathfinder 6,138 15.6% 6,138 15.6%
GMC Acadia 5,898 8.0% 5,898 8.0%
Dodge Durango 3,585 -13.0% 3,585 -13.0%
Mazda CX-9 1,269 -14.8% 1,269 -14.8%
Mitsubishi Outlander 1,003 6.6% 1,003 6.6%

* Hyundai SantaFe sales include both three-row and two-row SantaFe Sport crossovers.

Check out this fun and informative TFLcar video off-road matchup between the Traverse and the Durango.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov

Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011.