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Premium Crossover Sales - Two-Pronged Attack By Buick Envision and Cadillac XT4 Chip Away At Lexus NX Sales Lead

Two GM premium crossovers are ganging up on the Lexus NX to rival its sales volume.
Buick Envision and Cadillac XT4 challenge Lexus NX.

The market-leading Lexus NX premium two-row crossover is being challenged by two General Motors offerings. At the premium end of the trim lines, Buick's imported from China Envision is hanging tough, despite import duty threats. The Lexus NX, made in Japan, may also have difficulties if import duties on this class of vehicle are put in place. Cadillac's new XT4, built in Kansas City, would have less difficulty and is becoming a strong seller.

xt4

Despite very little promotion, Buick has not issued a press release this year, the Envision has maintained a respectable sales volume. With 7,623 units sold in Q1, down over 20% from last year, the Envision is for sure declining in sales, but still a pretty solid seller. The Caddilac XT4 is new this year and in Q1 managed a very respectable 7,026 units sold. In combination, the two managed to fill the driveways of 14,649 families.

The Lexus NX managed to find 13,775 buyers this January, February, and March, down just a smidge from last Q1. That is less than the 14,972 units that Acura sold of the RDX in Q1. Audi's Q5 edged out the Acura RDX in Q1 with a very strong 15,228 units sold in Q1.

xc40

The premium "compact" two-row crossover market is becoming quite competitive as manufacturers roll out not just new updates to existing models, but also new models slightly larger or slightly smaller than the existing offerings in the segment. Volvo's XC40 is notable in this regard. In terms of price and power and it is easy to call a competitor to the NX from Lexus.

Related Story: 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Gets New Turbocharged Engine and More

Mazda's CX-5 now competes quite well with the premium offerings from Acura, Buick, and Lexus. Its sales declined in Q1, despite the addition of two higher trim levels with a new class-leading 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. Mazda sold 13,465 CX-5 crossovers in Q1.

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Comments

Jesse (not verified)    June 11, 2021 - 2:44PM

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So for the last 12 months or so I have been looking for a replacement to my 2009 Toyota Corolla with 197,001 miles on it. Original and only owner of this car. During that 12 month period I've been looking at cars, trucks, suvs and vans from all the manufacturers. Frankly, nothing jumped out at me. Nothing on the gotta have list.

There were several things I flat refused to have on my new ride. One was a CVT transmission. Another was a turbo, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker is the perspective new vehicle checked enough boxes. Lastly, the stop/start "feature" which seem to populate like rabbits on new vehicles. The only caveat is the defeat button that would render this :feature" useless. I don't mind pressing that button each time I start the engine. I use my middle finger to press that defeat button by the way.

So I finally bought my new vehicle the March of 2021. A 2020 Buick Envision with the Essence package. No CVT, no turbo, and a stop/start "feature" that is defeated at the press of a button. It is quiet, comfortable, and efficiently packaged under the hood. The oil filter is located on the front of the engine and is the easiest to get to of any vehicle I have ever owned. There is no dipstick tube. The dipstick is inserted into a circular opening at the top of the front of the engine. So easy to get to. The 2.5L engine takes an even 5 quarts of oil.

It took me a while to get back to GM vehicles. My last GM car was a 1985 Chevrolet Cavalier. My wife bought a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28. I didn't buy another GM product until a 2007 GMC full-size Sierra. My daughter has it now with 221,000 miles on it. And runs great.