The Ultimate B-SUV: Mitsubishi Xforce Dominates the Segment in August 2024 Sales

The Vietnamese auto market witnessed a dip in sales during August 2024, influenced by the seventh lunar month and the anticipation of reduced registration fees among Vietnamese consumers. This trend was evident in the popular B-segment SUV category.

August 2024 saw a decline in sales for most B-segment SUVs compared to the previous month, with only a few models experiencing positive growth, notably the Mitsubishi Xforce.

B-SUV sales table for August 2024 (units: cars)

Mitsubishi Xforce: 2,504 units

The seventh lunar month is typically considered inauspicious for major purchases like automobiles in Vietnamese culture. However, the Mitsubishi Xforce defied this trend and posted impressive growth during this period.

In August 2024, the Mitsubishi Xforce sold 2,504 units, achieving a remarkable 43.2% growth rate. With these figures, the Mitsubishi model not only topped the B-segment SUV category but also claimed the number one spot in the overall market, surpassing the VinFast VF5 Plus.

Since its launch in the Vietnamese market in March 2024, the Mitsubishi Xforce has consistently dominated sales in its segment. The success in August 2024 can be partially attributed to the brand’s attractive promotion, offering registration fee support of up to 100% for the Xforce.

Mitsubishi continues its incentives for the Xforce in September 2024. The Premium and Exceed variants receive 50% registration fee support, amounting to VND 32-34 million. Additionally, Mitsubishi is offering a VND 20 million fuel voucher and a miniature Xforce model car to customers who purchase the Ultimate, Premium, or Exceed versions, ensuring sustained popularity for this Japanese B-segment SUV.

The Mitsubishi Xforce’s appeal lies in its competitive pricing, ranging from VND 599-705 million for four variants. The SUV also boasts eye-catching exterior design and a host of convenience and safety features.

Under the hood, the Mitsubishi Xforce is powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine shared with the Xpander, producing 105 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The SUV offers four driving modes: Normal, Gravel, Mud, and Snow, in the higher-end versions.

Toyota Yaris Cross: 927 units

In contrast to its compatriot, the Toyota Yaris Cross experienced a challenging month with a 25.3% decline in sales, resulting in 927 units sold. Nonetheless, it maintained its position as the second best-selling B-segment SUV and secured a spot in the top 10 best-selling cars in the market for August 2024.

To stimulate demand, Toyota is offering a 50% registration fee support for the Yaris Cross in September 2024, with a maximum value of VND 33 million for the standard G version and VND 38 million for the Hybrid version.

The Toyota Yaris Cross in Vietnam is currently available in two versions, with prices ranging from VND 650-765 million. The most significant difference between the two versions lies in their engines. The gasoline-powered version is equipped with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that generates 105 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque, paired with a D-CVT continuously variable transmission. On the other hand, the hybrid version features a 1.5L four-cylinder engine producing 90 horsepower, coupled with a 79-horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.

Hyundai Creta: 613 units

The Hyundai Creta retained its position as the third best-selling B-segment SUV. Since the arrival of the new Mitsubishi Xforce and Toyota Yaris Cross in the Vietnamese market, the Hyundai Creta has consistently lost its top spot in the segment. August 2024 was no exception, with the model selling 613 units, a 10.6% decrease. However, it still managed to secure a place in the top 10 best-selling cars in the overall market.

The Hyundai Creta is competitively priced in the B-segment SUV category, with a range of VND 599-699 million. It also impresses with its stylish and charismatic design, well-appointed interior, and a host of safety features.

The Creta offers a range of amenities, including LED lighting, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, a digital instrument cluster, and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen infotainment system. It also boasts a Bose sound system, electronic parking brake, automatic brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more.

Under the hood, the Hyundai Creta is powered by a 1.5L SmartStream gasoline engine that delivers 115 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an intelligent continuously variable transmission (iVT) and front-wheel drive.

Toyota Corolla Cross: 577 units

Similar to its sibling, the Toyota Corolla Cross experienced a sales dip in August 2024, with 577 units sold, representing a 14% decrease compared to the previous month. This performance placed the Corolla Cross in fourth place within the segment.

The Toyota Corolla Cross received an upgrade in Vietnam in May 2024, introducing two versions: the 1.8 V and the 1.8 HEV, priced at VND 820 million and VND 905 million, respectively. Compared to its competitors in the segment, the Corolla Cross offers larger dimensions and a higher price tag.

The upgraded Corolla Cross features enhancements such as a redesigned grille, LED headlights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, a USB Type C port, an electronic parking brake, automatic temporary hold brake, and a panoramic sunroof.

Under the hood, the Corolla Cross offers two engine options. The first is a 1.8L four-cylinder engine producing 140 horsepower and 172 Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT-i). The second option is a hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.8L four-cylinder engine with 97 horsepower, an electric motor generating 72 horsepower and 163 Nm of torque, and an e-CVT transmission.

Kia Seltos: 439 units

Following the overall market trend, the Kia Seltos experienced a sales decline compared to the previous month, with 439 units sold, representing a 16.5% decrease.

The Kia Seltos received an upgrade in April 2024, introducing six versions with prices ranging from VND 599-799 million. While the starting price was reduced compared to the previous version, the highest-end trim became significantly more expensive.

To compensate, Kia made considerable adjustments to the design, convenience features, safety equipment, and powertrain. Notably, the top-of-the-line trim introduced new advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, speed limit assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, lane following assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, safe exit assist, and driver attention warning.

The Kia Seltos is offered with two engine options in Vietnam. The first is a 1.5L Smartstream four-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine that produces 113 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The second option is a 1.5L Smartstream four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine that delivers 158 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Mazda CX-3: 225 units

Mazda sold 225 units of the CX-3 in August 2024, representing a 14.1% decrease. This result is unsurprising, as the Mazda CX-3 has never been a sales leader since its launch in Vietnam.

The Mazda CX-3 is currently one of the most affordable B-segment SUVs in the market, with prices ranging from VND 512-631 million for four versions. Despite its competitive pricing, the CX-3 is well-equipped with active safety features as part of the i-Activsense package, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention alert.

The Mazda CX-3 is powered by a SkyActiv-G 1.5L gasoline engine that produces 110 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and front-wheel drive.

Honda HR-V: 213 units

The Honda HR-V experienced the most significant sales decline within the B-segment SUV category in August 2024, with only 213 units sold, representing a 68.7% decrease.

Following the footsteps of its locally produced and assembled competitors, Honda is offering a 50% registration fee support for the HR-V in September 2024, with values ranging from VND 35-43 million depending on the version.

The Honda HR-V is one of the most expensive B-segment SUVs in the market, with prices ranging from VND 699-871 million for three versions. However, it justifies its premium pricing with a youthful and appealing design, relatively spacious interior, adequate convenience features, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard.

The Honda HR-V also excels in terms of driving dynamics. It offers two engine options: a 1.5L four-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine producing 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque, and a 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine generating 174 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque in the higher-end versions.

Mazda CX-30: 140 units

In contrast to the CX-3, the Mazda CX-30 posted positive sales growth in August 2024, with a 4.4% increase to 140 units sold. Despite this growth, the CX-30 remains at the bottom of the B-segment SUV category due to its modest sales figures.