Why all the hate for SUV’s/4x4 vehicles?

[FluffyRabbitSocks]

Why do so many people on mumsnet hate SUV and 4 wheel drive vehicles? I don’t think it’s a correct reflection of the UK publics preference because you see so many of this type of vehicle on the roads and in car parks these days. I couldn’t get myself so worked up about what car a person chooses to buy and drive and really don’t think a hybrid Toyota Rav 4 or Honda CRV is any worse for the environment than a diesel MPV like a Vauxhall Zafira.

I LOVE mine!

They have a reputation as gas guzzlers. I've no idea how accurate this is for the modern ones. They are fairly ubiquitous nowadays and hard to avoid if you need a big car.

Because they are not needed for driving round town and doing the school run. But then I’m not into cars so what do I care. Seems like a waste of money to me.

I absolutely love ours. We’ve had them for the past 8 years and wouldn’t have a small car again, not that we have a choice now anyway with 4 DC.

They're too big for British infrastructure: the car parking spaces are too small, the roads are too narrow. It's annoying being behind or next to one because it blocks your view, rather than being able to see through their windows. E.g. there's a busy junction near where I live. A car can easily wait 5 minutes to turn right. If a car is next to them turning left, they can only see what's coming through the right-turner's windows. If the left-turner is a normal car and the right-turner is an SUV, there's no visibility so both lanes sit there until the SUV moves.

@momtoboys I love mine also. The driving position, the space inside, the awd for rural driving, the power of I need it and I could go on and on. It also has forward and reverse anti collision technology that brakes and steers the car to avoid an accident involving another car, adult, child, toddler, cyclist, animal or building if I fail to respond in time. 5 star rating for safety for both car passengers and other road users/pedestrians.

Eh? Roads are too narrow? Country lanes maybe but you do know we have many lorries driving around the UK that are much bigger than 4x4s?

Chelsea Tractors. School mums, barging their way through on the road, with everyone else bouncing off them. Parking anywhere, on double yellows, over people's drives, anywhere they fancy. Because they have a Big Fancy Car and are Better Than You.

😂😂😂😂😂

A lot of it is inverse snobbery fueled by insecurity because some people can't afford them and therefore have to convince themselves they don't want one and not only that, but that buying one is a Bad Thing To Do. It's already popped up on this thread. It'll derail soon into arguments about parking and the environment.

The roads are too narrow! Lol. They drive tractors down our single track lane. It's fine.

Depends which sort and where they are. If you're doing the sort of rural driving which needs 4wd, fine; if you're mostly driving alone or with no more than 3 passengers in urban environments then there are probably much better options.

Oh, the hyperbole.

If we are going full Mumsnet, then I have to tell you there is a world of difference between a RAV4 or CRV (cheap, chav cars) or a Range Rover (proper high spec, not the “sport” or “evoque”, which are chavvy) or Volvo x90. The former are Mumsnet gasp-and-judge-worthy. The latter, while arguably more polluting because they’re bigger and heavier, are more acceptable.

I dont know anyone local who doesnt have one tbh, apart from young just passed drivers but they are very quick to get one.

You cracker jack

@TallulahBetty I think you just have dicks at your child’s school none of that is SUV related.

And before I get told I don’t need a 4 wheel drive I would argue I do. I live in rural Shropshire at the bottom of a 2 mile steep incline that a normal 2 wheel drive car can’t make it up in ice, snow or really wet conditions as there isn’t enough traction. My children’s school is a 25+ mile round trip on A and B roads.

I only take issue with people who have one and can't bloody drive it like next door.

Right. People must always be jealous - bit of a lazy argument tbh.

round here they take too much of the pavement and they don't fit onto people's driveways, sticking out on to pavements. If you have the space to keep one then not so bad.
On the road, they take up more space obviously, potentially passing too close to cyclists etc.

What a load of bullshit.

It doesn't really bother me, except when one parks next to me in a small space and I can't get back in my car.

However, from an environment view it does feel like a step back.

We've spent all this effort on making engines more economical. Then rather than letting it benefit the environment, everyone's just got bigger cars/engines. So we aren't seeing the environmental benefit.

there is a world of difference between a RAV4 or CRV (cheap, chav cars)

Yeah a 36k car is cheap and chavvy

But they're much bigger and spacious than normal cars & you have no idea what people use their car for.

If a family of 4-5 is going to the airport or on a trip with luggage, very hard to fit everything in a normal car boot.

They're more comfortable to get in and out of, particularly if you have any knee or back problems.

Mine is a 2021 Mitsubishi with the Super All Wheel Drive system off their rally cars so very capable in that department. I mentioned the Toyota and Honda as I see a lot of those plus they now only make them in hybrid version, Toyota has for some years now.