Utilimarc has released a benchmarking study for compact SUVs showing that its utility and municipal fleet clients' average vehicle ages have risen in the past five years. The average age for 4×2 compact SUVs increased by 0.85 years from 2010 and 2014, while the 4×4 increased by 0.74 years from 2010 to 2014. The average age historically for the 4×2 is 5.26 years, and the average for the 4×4 is 5.72.

The survey analyzed the drive type percentage breakdown of compact SUVs between 2010 and 2014. The 4×4 drive type percentage has been more popular historically, averaging 74% of compact SUVs, but the 4×2 has started to gain more popularity from 22% in 2010 to 30% in 2014.

The most common type of fuel used in 2014 for the compact SUVs was regular gasoline at 82%, followed by gasoline-electric hybrid at 11%, while gasoline/flex-fuel (E-85) made up 7%.

This graph shows the operating costs (all parts and labor) net of fuel per mile for 4×2 and 4×4 compact SUVs by age. The overall trend for both drive types is that the operating cost per mile is increasing.

The operating costs for 4×2 in year one was $75 per 1,000 miles, while in year nine it was $265 per 1,000 miles, an increase of $190 over the nine years. The average operating cost per 1,000 miles for a 4×2 compact SUV over the same nine-year period was $148.

The operating costs for 4×4 in year one was $52 per 1,000 miles, while in year nine it was $267 per 1,000 miles, an increase of $215 over the 9 years. The average operating cost per 1,000 miles for a 4×4 compact SUV over the same nine-year period was $153.

The study analyzed the average miles driven from 2010 to 2014 for the 4×2 and 4×4 compact SUV. The 4×4 compact SUV was driven an average of 1,458 more miles annually than the 4×2. The 4×2 compact SUV gets better mpg, at 24.2 mpg for the five-year average. From 2010-2014 the 4×4 was has an average 20.7 mpg.

The 4×2 historically has an average of 132 days between unscheduled and demand repairs. The 4×4 historically has an average of 86 days between unscheduled and demand repairs. The 4×2 historically has an average of 132 days between unscheduled/demand repair. The 4×4 historically has an average of 131 days between unscheduled and demand repairs.

The recent five-year average purchase price was just higher than $27,000.

The benchmarking survey derived data from more than 50 of its utility and municipal fleet benchmarking clients. The report includes data from more than 22,500 active compact SUVs, including the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, and Jeep Liberty.

The data being used shows patterns the company has identified from the average of the selected sample. To laern more about the data provided here, visit the Utilimarc website.