January 2024 B-segment SUV Sales: Honda HR-V Leads the Segment as the Only Model with Growth

Despite the approaching Lunar New Year, the automobile market in Vietnam experienced a decline in sales in January 2024, and the B-segment SUV, which has been highly popular in Vietnam, was not immune to this impact as most models saw a decline, except for the Honda HR-V. Moreover, the Honda HR-V surprisingly emerged as the leader in the segment.

SUV B-segment Sales Report for January 2024 (unit: cars)

Honda HR-V: 801 cars

The Honda HR-V was one of the few models that experienced positive growth in January 2024. Specifically, it achieved sales of 801 cars, an increase of 15.7%. With this result, the Honda HR-V emerged as the leader in the segment, surpassing formidable competitors such as the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos.

This remarkable performance can be attributed to the standard G variant, which is priced at VND 699 million. The other two variants are priced higher, ranging from VND 826 million to VND 871 million, even surpassing the prices of some C-segment SUVs, making them less popular among customers.

In addition to being one of the most visually appealing models in the segment, the Honda HR-V also boasts a relatively spacious interior, sufficient convenience features, and standard ADAS active safety features. Furthermore, the HR-V excels in terms of its engine performance and driving experience, similar to other Honda models.

The Honda HR-V in Vietnam is currently available with two engine options. The first is a naturally aspirated 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, with a maximum power output of 119 horsepower and a maximum torque of 145 Nm. The corresponding figures for the 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine are 174 horsepower and 240 Nm.

Kia Seltos: 524 cars

In contrast to the Honda HR-V, the Kia Seltos experienced a challenging month in terms of sales, with a decline of 58.9% to 524 cars. However, this Korean model still managed to surpass its domestic competitor, the Hyundai Creta, and secured the second position in the B-segment.

The Kia Seltos has not received any design and equipment updates in the Vietnamese market for a while but remains popular due to its affordability, with prices ranging from VND 604 million to VND 714 million. Additionally, the model offers a total of 8 variants, providing customers with a wide range of choices.

Youthful and fashionable design, reasonable convenience features, and an attractive price point are the strengths of the Kia Seltos. However, it falls behind its competitors in terms of active safety features.

The Kia Seltos in Vietnam is available with two gasoline engine options: a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, producing a maximum power output of 121 horsepower and a maximum torque of 151 Nm, and a 1.4L turbocharged engine, producing 138 horsepower and 242 Nm of torque. Both engines are paired with either a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Hyundai Creta: 413 cars

Similar to other Hyundai models, the Creta also experienced a significant decline in sales in the first month of 2024. During this period, the model sold 413 cars, a decrease of 78.8%. As a result, the Hyundai Creta dropped to the third position in the segment, behind the Honda HR-V and the Kia Seltos.

In 2023, the Hyundai Creta was the best-selling B-segment SUV in Vietnam. Its popularity stems from its stylish design, well-equipped interior, and comprehensive safety features, all at a price range of VND 640 million to VND 740 million. Currently, dealerships are offering discounts on the 2023 Hyundai Creta to clear their inventory. The standard variant is priced at only VND 587 million at some dealerships.

Under the hood, the Hyundai Creta houses a 1.5L naturally aspirated Smartstream 4-cylinder gasoline engine, generating a maximum power output of 115 horsepower and a maximum torque of 144 Nm. The engine is paired with an intelligent variable transmission (iVT) and front-wheel drive.

Toyota Yaris Cross: 282 cars

Amidst the overall declining sales, the Toyota Yaris Cross only sold 282 cars in January 2024 and secured the fourth position in the segment. Its sales decreased by a staggering 81.8% compared to December 2023, making it the model with the highest sales decline in the segment.

In January, Toyota adjusted the listed prices of the Yaris Cross to be VND 650 million for the gasoline variant and VND 765 million for the hybrid variant. However, the attractive pricing did not lead to improved sales figures for the Toyota Yaris Cross.

The Toyota Yaris Cross stands out with its well-equipped interior and comprehensive safety features, even in the standard variant. The main difference between the two variants, as the name suggests, lies in the engine.

Depending on the variant, the Yaris Cross is available with a 1.5L gasoline engine or a hybrid powertrain. The gasoline engine produces a maximum power output of 105 horsepower and a maximum torque of 138 Nm, paired with an e-CVT transmission. Meanwhile, the hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.5L gasoline engine, producing a maximum power output of 90 horsepower, an electric motor with a maximum power output of 79 horsepower, and a lithium-ion battery.

Toyota Corolla Cross: 164 cars

Falling right behind the Yaris Cross is the Toyota Corolla Cross, which only sold 164 B-segment SUVs in January 2024, a decrease of 61.2%.

In reality, the low sales figure of the Toyota Corolla Cross is not due to a lack of demand but rather because dealerships have run out of inventory. This is due to an upcoming facelift for the model, scheduled to be launched in May this year.

Similar to the Honda HR-V, the Toyota Corolla Cross does not have a price advantage, with prices ranging from VND 760 million to VND 955 million. However, the model has managed to impress Vietnamese consumers with its reputable brand, high practicality, fuel-efficient engine, generous size, and spacious interior within the segment.

When purchasing this model, Vietnamese customers can choose between two engine options. The first is a 1.8L gasoline engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT-i), producing a maximum power output of 140 horsepower and a maximum torque of 172 Nm. The second option is the hybrid powertrain, which includes a 1.8L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, producing a maximum power output of 97 horsepower and a maximum torque of 142 Nm. The hybrid powertrain is paired with an e-CVT transmission and an electric motor with a maximum power output of 72 horsepower and a maximum torque of 163 Nm.

Mazda CX-3: 141 cars

Once again, the Mazda CX-3 finds itself towards the bottom of the B-segment SUV segment, with sales of only 141 cars, a decline of 41.2%. Despite being competitively priced within the segment, the model has never achieved high sales figures since its introduction to the Vietnamese market. Following recent adjustments, the Mazda CX-3 is currently priced from VND 534 million to VND 654 million for its four variants.

The Mazda CX-3 is not as popular in Vietnam due to its understated design and cramped interior space. However, the model still offers advanced safety features under the i-Activsense package, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention alert.

The heart of the Mazda CX-3 is the SkyActiv-G 1.5L gasoline engine, producing a maximum power output of 110 horsepower and a maximum torque of 144 Nm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and front-wheel drive.

Mazda CX-30: 27 cars

The Mazda CX-30 completes the sales chart for the B-segment in January 2024, with a meager sales figure of 27 cars, representing a decline of 73.5%.

Similar to the CX-3, the Mazda CX-30 has also undergone price adjustments recently, with prices increasing to VND 699 million to VND 739 million, no longer considered affordable.

Compared to the CX-3, the Mazda CX-30 offers a more stylish exterior design, enhanced convenience features, and a higher level of safety equipment. The engine of the Mazda CX-30 is also more powerful, with a 2.0L SkyActiv-G gasoline engine, naturally aspirated, producing a maximum power output of 153 horsepower and a maximum torque of 200 Nm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.