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SUVs Dominate EU Family Vehicle Market, Minivans Slip to 3% Share

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ily-vehicle-market-minivans-slip-to-3-share.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 10:03 GMT by Carscoops

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Suvs Have Dethroned the Minivan, but Citroën is Still Dreaming a Come‑Back

In the final corner of the 2025 automotive landscape, a curious battle rages between the “big family” SUV and the classic minivan. A new CarScoops feature, published on December 2, 2025, argues that the minivan has been killed by the all‑terrain, high‑roofed SUV, yet it also presents a surprisingly hopeful case for Citroën’s upcoming minivan dream. Below is a comprehensive 500‑plus‑word summary that stitches together the article’s core arguments, data points, industry quotes, and the key details of Citroën’s bold venture.

1. The Rise of SUVs and the Fall of the Minivan

• Market Shift: The article opens by highlighting how SUVs now represent roughly 56 % of all family‑vehicle sales in the EU, a dramatic rise from just 28 % in 2015. The minivan’s share has collapsed from 12 % to a mere 3 % in the same period.

• Consumer Preferences: The author cites a 2024 European Commission study (link included in the article) that attributes the surge to “greater height, a perceived safety advantage, and an SUV’s flexible interior.” A poll of 3,000 families found that 61 % favored SUVs over minivans for new purchases.

• Price and Fuel: SUVs have benefitted from decreasing production costs and improved fuel efficiency. The article references a Toyota interview (link to their press release) that noted a 10 % drop in SUV manufacturing costs from 2018 to 2024, largely thanks to shared platforms and mass‑produced electric powertrains.

• Safety Perceptions: An Euro NCAP report (link in the article) shows that SUVs consistently receive higher safety ratings in the “crossover” category compared to minivans. The author argues that the high roofline gives an “inside view” advantage during crashes, boosting consumer confidence.

2. Why Minivans Are Not Dead (Yet)

The feature takes a nuanced stance by acknowledging that minivans still possess unique selling points that have kept them relevant for specific segments:

• Higher Seating and Accessibility: A minivan can accommodate seven seats with the rear seats folded, making it ideal for large families or cargo‑heavy trips.

• Cargo Flexibility: Unlike SUVs, minivans feature a “flat‑floor” cargo area with removable seats, enabling easier loading of large items.

• Economic Advantages: For fleet operators, minivans typically have lower depreciation rates and better resale values than SUVs of comparable size.

The article quotes automotive analyst Elena Garcia (link to her profile on AutoAnalysis.com) who notes that “minivans still dominate the European van segment for commercial use,” underscoring the niche they occupy.

3. Citroën’s Vision: The “Dream” Minivan

The core of the article pivots to Citroën’s bold announcement: the company will launch its first purpose‑built minivan, the Citroën C4 Minivan (link to the official press release).

3.1 Design & Space

• Platform: Built on the same modular EUCD‑C platform that underpins the Citroën C4 Picasso and the new C5 Aircross.
• Seating: Configurable 2+2+3 layout, with a “flex‑seating” system allowing rear seats to fold flat into the cargo area.
• Cargo: 650 L of usable space with seats up; 1,250 L with seats folded—the largest in its class.

3.2 Powertrain Options

• Plug‑in Hybrid (PHEV): 1.5 L turbocharged four‑stroke plus an 80 kWh battery, offering a 140 km electric range.
• Fully Electric (EV): 1.0 MW electric motor and a 150 kWh battery, targeting a 250 km range.
• Internal‑Combustion (IC): A new 2.0 L diesel option aimed at commercial buyers.

The article reports that Citroën’s engineering team believes the PHEV variant will “bridge the gap between the high‑performance EVs and the fuel‑efficient diesel options most fleet operators prefer.”

3.3 Technology & Features

• Infotainment: 12‑inch OLED touchscreen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and an optional 3‑D holographic display for rear passengers.
• Driver Assistance: Level‑2 autonomy features—adaptive cruise, lane‑keeping, automated parking—tailored for urban and highway use.
• Interior Materials: Recycled plastics and vegetable‑based leather alternatives, echoing Citroën’s sustainability pledge (link to their CSR page).

4. Industry Reaction

The article contains several interviews and comments:

• Philippe Lemaire, Citroën VP of Product Development: “The minivan has been overlooked for decades; we’re finally ready to put our own stamp on it.”

• Javier López, European Commercial Vehicle Analyst: “If Citroën can nail the hybrid powertrain, they’ll hit a sweet spot between cost, range, and compliance with the EU’s 2035 zero‑emission target.”

• CarScoops Test Drive: The author’s on‑road review of the concept revealed “smooth ride quality, intuitive ergonomics, and a surprisingly quiet cabin even on the PHEV.”

The article also cites a survey from the European Car Dealers Association (link provided) that predicts 12 % of new minivan orders in 2026 will be Citroën’s hybrid variant—an ambitious but potentially realistic figure if sales targets are met.

5. The Verdict: Can a Minivan Return?

The author concludes that while SUVs have literally killed the minivan in mainstream consumer markets, there remains a latent demand for the minivan’s unique features. Citroën’s new model, with its hybrid focus, high cargo flexibility, and modern tech stack, could rekindle interest—especially among families that value the practical advantages of a minivan but are wary of the higher upfront costs of conventional minivans.

Key points highlighted:

• Market Timing: The EU’s upcoming “Fit‑for‑Future” legislation will require stricter CO₂ emissions from family vehicles, giving hybrids an advantage.
• Competitive Landscape: Citroën will need to compete with established players like Volkswagen Touran, Ford Galaxy, and the all‑electric van segment that is expected to dominate by 2030.
• Brand Perception: Citroën’s history of quirky design may either differentiate the C4 Minivan in a crowded market or hinder its adoption in more conservative regions.

In closing, the article posits that Citroën’s “dream” minivan is not a mere pipe dream; it is a strategic attempt to carve out a niche that blends traditional minivan practicality with modern electrification trends. Whether the minivan can truly survive or even thrive in the post‑SUV era remains to be seen, but the launch of the Citroën C4 Minivan signals a notable shift in how automakers are thinking about family transportation in the 2020s.