????城市型SUV，也就是身型小巧的跨界SUV，俗稱“可愛的多功能車”，依舊是汽車領(lǐng)域最為炙手可熱的細(xì)分產(chǎn)品市場，十年來依舊引領(lǐng)風(fēng)騷。

????根據(jù)美國汽車信息網(wǎng)站Edmunds.com 的數(shù)據(jù)，2002年，共售出802,217輛可愛的多功能車，市場份額僅為4.8%，平均價格為22,219美元。在接下來的8年里，此類車型的數(shù)量從11款增至19款，銷量亦達(dá)到了1,139,971輛；與此同時，由于總體市場規(guī)模大幅萎縮，該類車的市場份額翻了一番，達(dá)到了9.8%。2011年，城市型SUV繼續(xù)保持迅猛的增長趨勢。目前，其市場份額為10.2%，平均交易價格為25,481美元。

????可愛的多功能車之所以如此暢銷，原因在于它巧妙地集中了流行的SUV汽車的幾大特性：比如可調(diào)整座椅高度、四輪驅(qū)動、可升降式車門、體型更為小巧、價格相對低廉，等等。

????在城市型SUV市場，汽車廠商亦針對各類客戶提供多種車型，最低價格不到2萬美元。隨處可見的BMW X3搭載3升雙渦輪增壓引擎，并具備全套高級技術(shù)、安全、和豪華車特性，標(biāo)價52,025美元。

????如同本文列出的9款最暢銷車型的經(jīng)典圖片所示，城市型SUV盡管“出身卑微”，但在經(jīng)歷了漫長的發(fā)展過程后，迄今仍在不斷發(fā)展壯大。

鈴木塞擊——1988年

????Compact sport utilities, the pint-sized crossover SUVs known as "cute utes," remain the hottest product segment in the car business, continuing an amazing ten-year run.

????In 2002, customers bought 802,217 cute utes, representing a market share of just 4.8%, according to Edmunds.com, for an average price of $22,219. Over the next eight years, the number of individual models jumped to 19 from 11, and sales reached 1,139,971 in a much smaller overall market; share doubled to 9.8%. The hot upward trend continues in 2011. The market share for compact sport utilities is now 10.2%, and the average transaction price is $25,481.

????The popularity of the utes stems from their smart packaging of popular SUV features, like command seating, all-wheel-drive, and lift gates, in a smaller size that is more economical.

????The formula has proved scalable for a wide variety of customers. Prices start below $20,000 and go up from there. The BXW X3 sitting in my driveway has a 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine, and a full portfolio of advanced technical, safety, and luxury features, and it carries a sticker price of $52,025.

????The compact SUV has come a long way from its humble beginning, as this historical gallery of nine of the most popular models shows, and continues to evolve.

Suzuki Sidekick – 1988

????正是憑借塞擊（Sidekick），小小的鈴木公司（Suzuki）成了SUV市場的先驅(qū)。塞擊采用傳統(tǒng)的SUV框架車身結(jié)構(gòu)，這與稍后出現(xiàn)的單片式車身結(jié)構(gòu)相比，不免有些原始。通用汽車公司（GM）亦將這款車冠以自身品牌雪佛蘭追蹤者（Chevrolet Tracker）進(jìn)行銷售，但市場效果不佳。1999年，鈴木公司對塞擊進(jìn)行重新設(shè)計，并重新命名為維特拉（Grand Vitara）。但是，由于城市型SUV細(xì)分市場不斷擴(kuò)大，其銷量持續(xù)下滑。據(jù)Edmunds網(wǎng)站數(shù)據(jù)，2010年，該車只售出了4,478輛。

豐田RAV4 ——1996年

????Tiny Suzuki pioneered the segment with the Sidekick. With a traditional SUV body-on-frame construction, it was primitive compared to later unibody versions to come. GM sold a rebadged version, known as the Chevrolet Tracker, but without notable success. In 1999, the Sidekick was redesigned and renamed Grand Vitara, but its sales have slipped as the segment has grown. Edmunds says only 4,478 found buyers in 2010.

Toyota RAV4 – 1996

????The RAV4, the first compact crossover SUV, began sales in North America in 1996. Its initials stand for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive." The first generation RAV was too small for most Americans, but the second, which came out in 2000 kicked off a craze. It scored especially well with female buyers (both my wife and my daughter drive RAVs). With the launch of the third generation, a foot longer still than number two, sales doubled, and the RAV4 ranked third in 2010 segment sales with 170,877.

Honda CR-V – 1997

????在RAV之后，本田（Honda）CR-V接踵而至。1997年2月，CR-V登陸美國市場。與最初的RAV相比，CR-V不僅體積更大，運(yùn)動性也更強(qiáng)，因此一經(jīng)推出，不僅迅速擠身暢銷車之列，同時亦成為本田公司的核心產(chǎn)品。自2006年起，CR-V便是城市型SUV市場的領(lǐng)跑者；2007年，它又超過了福特（Ford）探索者（Explorer），一躍成為各類SUV車型中的暢銷車。2010年，本田售出了203,714輛CR-V。

斯巴魯森林人——1998年

????Right on the heels of the RAV came the CR-V, which arrived in the U.S in February 1997. Larger and sportier than the original RAV, it was an immediate hit and quickly became one of Honda's core products. It has also been the segment leader since 2006, and in 2007, it passed the Ford Explorer to become the best-selling SUV of any size. Honda sold 203,714 CRVs in 2010.

Subaru Forester – 1998

????森林人（Forester）于1998年登陸美國市場，并隨整個斯巴魯（Subaru）品牌一道，日漸流行起來。2002年，該款車的銷量為53,918輛，到2010年，達(dá)到85,080輛，森林人一躍成為城市型SUV市場的第六大暢銷車。與其他競爭產(chǎn)品相比，該車更為粗狂，更適于艱苦的環(huán)境：離地距離高，寬大的后備廂可提供更大的可利用空間，而且與斯巴魯旗下的所有車輛一樣，森林人亦采用標(biāo)準(zhǔn)四輪驅(qū)動。

福特翼虎——2000年

????The Forester arrived in the U.S. in 1998 and has grown in popularity along with the overall Subaru brand. Sales in 2002 were 53,918; by 2010, they reached 85,080, making Forester sixth in the segment. More rugged than some competitors, it has high ground clearance, a large, space-efficient cargo area, and, like all Subarus, standard four wheel drive.

Ford Escape – 2000

????美國的三大汽車廠商在城市型SUV市場起步較晚，但福特始終奮起直追，以彌補(bǔ)時間上的劣勢。去年，福特售出了179,844輛翼虎（Ford Escape），該車躍居城市型SUV市場的第二位。自2004年起，該車開始采用天然氣/電力混合傳動系統(tǒng)，成為首款混合動力SUV。去年，福特售出了11,182輛混合動力翼虎。今年晚些時候，福特會推出基于更為先進(jìn)的焦點(diǎn)（Focus）平臺的最新一代翼虎。

吉普自由人——2002年

????Detroit woke up late to small SUVs, but Ford has been making up for lost time. The automaker sold 179,844 Escapes last year, making it second in the segment. A gas/electric hybrid powertrain has been available since 2004, the first for any SUV. Last year, Ford sold 11,182 hybrid Escapes. Later this year, the automaker replaces the current Escape model with one based on the more modern Focus platform.

Jeep Liberty – 2002

????老式吉普切諾基（Cherokee）的“衣缽傳人”自由人（Liberty）采用專為越野用途設(shè)計的獨(dú)特的車身結(jié)構(gòu)。2007年，經(jīng)過重新設(shè)計的新一代自由人問世。由于其競爭車型以及其他一些吉普車能提供更為優(yōu)越的行車?yán)锍?，自由人銷量不佳。2002年，其銷量達(dá)到峰值，多達(dá)171,212輛，但之后便一路下滑，2010年只售出了49,564輛。

現(xiàn)代途勝——2004年

????The spiritual successor to the old Jeep Cherokee, the Liberty has a unique body structure designed for off-road use. A redesigned version appeared in 2007. Liberty sales have suffered as rival models, as well as some Jeeps, get better mileage. Sales peaked in 2002 at 171,212 and slid all the way to 49,564 in 2010.

Hyundai Tucson – 2004

????水漲船高，現(xiàn)代（Hyundai）品牌的整體上升之勢帶動了旗下各車型的銷售，其中也包括途勝（Tucson）在內(nèi)。2010年，即途勝推出之后的第5個年頭，銷量達(dá)到39,564輛。該款車前燈位置高，前擋泥板向后傾斜，車身面板上刻有品牌標(biāo)識，著實(shí)引領(lǐng)著城市型SUV市場的時尚風(fēng)潮。但是，今年途勝的銷量排名僅為第十。

日產(chǎn)逍客——2007年

????The rising tide of the Hyundai brand lifts all boats, including the Tucson. Sales reached 39,564 in 2010, its fifth year on the market. With high-mounted headlights, swept-back front fenders, and sculpted body panels, it is the segment's style leader, but it ranks only tenth this year in sales.

Nissan Rogue – 2007

????盡管從速度到市場，日產(chǎn)公司（Nissan）均毫無優(yōu)勢可言，但逍客（Rogue）表現(xiàn)著實(shí)不俗：2010年，其銷量猛增至99,515輛；2011年，成為緊湊型SUV市場的第五大暢銷車。逍客在全球均有銷售，在歐洲被稱作Qashqai，在日本又名為Dualis。而且，用戶也不用擔(dān)心會將之與美國汽車公司（American Motors）于1966年~1969年期間銷售的漫步者美國逍客（Rambler American Rogue）混淆。

大眾途觀——2008年

????Nissan doesn't win any points for speed to market either, but the Rogue has made an impressive showing, racing to 99,515 sales in 2010 and fifth place in the 2011 standings. Sold around the world, it is known as the Qashqai in Europe and the Dualis in Japan. Don't worry about confusing it with the Rambler American Rogue that American Motors sold from 1966 to 1969.

Volkswagen Tiguan – 2008

????歐洲汽車廠商由于產(chǎn)品生產(chǎn)周期相對較長，一直沒有充分認(rèn)識到城市型SUV市場的潛力，但現(xiàn)在他們已開始對這一市場給予更多的關(guān)注。盡管大眾公司（Volkswagen）已開始在美國市場大力銷售途觀（Tiguan），但去年，該車只售出了20,946輛，仍然屬于小眾車型。據(jù)說，途觀的名字是將英文中的“老虎”與“鬣蜥”兩個詞縮合在一起而成：老虎，取其速度和威力；鬣蜥，取其堅韌。大眾本意到底如何，又有誰知道呢？

????譯者：大海