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Original poster

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

449 replies

FluffyRabbitSocks · 24/02/2023 15:14

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.

OP posts:
theycallmestacie · 24/02/2023 20:06

PleaseJustText · 24/02/2023 19:58

I don't like them because they block my view of the road when turning. Also, in winter, the height means the lights are blinding me from my rear view mirror if one is behind me. I have a small VW Up!. I don't understand the argument about needing the space to carry children and their stuff. My DH has a Tesla and comfortably drove 4 male colleagues plus overnight baggage to an event 4 hours away.

So anything larger than your UP! shouldn't be driven?
I'm over 6ft. I couldn't drive one of them tbh.

Changingnametime · 24/02/2023 20:08

theycallmestacie · 24/02/2023 19:51

So, you can in fact find a safe space to cross the road?

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No, because I’m disabled and I can’t see around them or over them or get through the gap where they park, and it’s dangerous to edge out into the road near them, so I go to the end of the road where there’s a junction and more visibility -both for me and for other car drivers using the road.

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:13

ladykale · 24/02/2023 15:28

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.

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This is BS. We're a family of 5 and our estate is completely fine.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cars & vehicles
Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:14

herbaceous · 24/02/2023 15:46

I hate them with a fiery passion, unless they're involved in rugged rural pursuits.

They're bigger than necessary - no-one needs two tonnes of steel and a three piece suite just to get to Watirose - and the flashier ones seem mainly chosen to let everyone else know just how much money and status the driver has. They imbue said driver with a sense of superiority and invincibility on the road, and are inconvenient for anyone in a smaller car, as you can't see past them. People in smaller cars then think 'if you can't beat them join them' and so cars inexorably get bigger, congestion and pollution get worse, the roads are knackered from so many heavy truck-based chassis(es?) and you can't park so many cars on a street.

That's me, anyway.

This 💯

ladykale · 24/02/2023 20:16

@Justputitdown I have no idea what an estate is, but there is zero chance of fitting four large suitcases in the back of a normal car. Absolutely zero chance, and that's not even taking into account if you have to travel with a buggy or any equipment like golf clubs,

If an estate car is one with the long back, then no that's not a normal car and they are a bit ugly compared to most SUVs.

Many SUVs are aesthetically nicer than any other car that offers a similar amount of space. That's obv only my opinion though

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:18

All of the arguments against them here are valid.

I could easily afford one (just to head off the inverse snobbery argument) but I wouldn't buy one because honestly I think people who drive them are selfish, status driven c*nts who don't care if the world burns as long as they can drive their enormous, gas guzzling monstrosities (badly) around.

They make me rage like little else tbh.

SaturdayGiraffe · 24/02/2023 20:20

Does everyone on here buy their SUVs for cash? Seems a lot of money.

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:20

theycallmestacie · 24/02/2023 19:01

Why does it have to be about need? I don't need one. I just like them.

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But do you not care that you're more likely to kill a child if you hit one? Or the fact they're terrible for the environment? I literally cannot get my head around it.

Stellaris22 · 24/02/2023 20:23

@ladykale you could easily fit all that (and more) in an estate. We travel with huge canvas tents in ours, we looked at SUVs (no intention of buying one), and the boot space is laughable in comparison.

You know people got boot space wrong when you see people on holiday in SUVs needing a roof box.

Namechange828492 · 24/02/2023 20:23

My estate car boot is definitely bigger than the VW 4x4 I looked at, in fact i think my car is probably longer than a lot of 4x4, I might get a 4x4 for the next one but I have to say a lot of the park double yellows outside my school is by people in the porsche and RR 4x4s 🤣.

ladykale · 24/02/2023 20:34

Stellaris22 · 24/02/2023 20:23

@ladykale you could easily fit all that (and more) in an estate. We travel with huge canvas tents in ours, we looked at SUVs (no intention of buying one), and the boot space is laughable in comparison.

You know people got boot space wrong when you see people on holiday in SUVs needing a roof box.

I'm not disputing that, I was saying I don't know what an estate is, but a normal car is the size of an Uber and we can't fit luggage in a normal Uber when we go on hol. We have to get an Uber XL or take our SUV to the airport.

U.K. SUVs really aren't that big, I think people are usually just jealous and the minority of drivers that can't drive them, they assume everyone can't and those people are acting like knobs cs they have more money.

ladykale · 24/02/2023 20:36

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:18

All of the arguments against them here are valid.

I could easily afford one (just to head off the inverse snobbery argument) but I wouldn't buy one because honestly I think people who drive them are selfish, status driven c*nts who don't care if the world burns as long as they can drive their enormous, gas guzzling monstrosities (badly) around.

They make me rage like little else tbh.

I assume that you don't buy from any fast fashion stores? That's far worse for the environment but people have selective outrage.

If you want an aesthetically nice family car, SUVs are generally some of the nicer options.

Just googled to see what an estate looks like, and i rest my case!

herbaceous · 24/02/2023 20:38

Jealous. Obvs. If I could afford to buy something vast, excessive and vulgar it wouldn't be a 4x4.

N4ish · 24/02/2023 20:40

It’s selfish to choose to drive SUVs in urban environments. It makes the roads less safe for children, pedestrians and cyclists.

The whole ‘you must be jealous’ argument is ridiculous. I could easily afford to buy one but would never choose to drive such an antisocial car.

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:41

ladykale · 24/02/2023 20:36

I assume that you don't buy from any fast fashion stores? That's far worse for the environment but people have selective outrage.

If you want an aesthetically nice family car, SUVs are generally some of the nicer options.

Just googled to see what an estate looks like, and i rest my case!

Show quote history

I don't. I buy second hand 99% of the time and I never ever buy fast fashion because it's abhorrent.

For the same reason (and the safety of other road users) I don't prioritise the aesthetics of my car over the environment and I can't understand someone who would do that.

Stellaris22 · 24/02/2023 20:44

I think this thread is proving it's got nothing to do with being jealous of those owning SUVs. And maybe SUV drivers get their cars because they want others to be jealous? Weird reason to buy a car.

N4ish · 24/02/2023 20:51

Urban SUV drivers might need to keep a look out for the Tyre Extinguishers group.

Tyre Extinguishers & SUVs

QuertyGirl · 24/02/2023 20:53

@ladykale

Aesthetically pleasing? They look like margarine tubs! GrinGrin

We call them Bariatric cars

QuertyGirl · 24/02/2023 20:54

N4ish · 24/02/2023 20:51

Urban SUV drivers might need to keep a look out for the Tyre Extinguishers group.

Tyre Extinguishers & SUVs

Big fan of their work- hippies with lentils!

JackieDaws · 24/02/2023 20:54

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:20

But do you not care that you're more likely to kill a child if you hit one? Or the fact they're terrible for the environment? I literally cannot get my head around it.

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How about parents teach their children some road sense.

QuertyGirl · 24/02/2023 20:55

@JackieDaws

A car hits a child, it's the cars fault. No victim blaming!

JackieDaws · 24/02/2023 20:57

QuertyGirl · 24/02/2023 20:55

@JackieDaws

A car hits a child, it's the cars fault. No victim blaming!

No, 9 times out of 10 it's parents fault for not teaching kids to cross the roads safely.

QuertyGirl · 24/02/2023 20:59

@JackieDaws

Thankfully, the law disagrees.

Hand in your licence

CowboyHat · 24/02/2023 21:00

itsturtlesallthewaydown · 24/02/2023 15:57

  1. They use more fuel and pollute more than an equivalent car.
  2. They are far more dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists.
  3. They take up more space on the road, and so pass cyclists closer.
  4. They intimidate people in smaller, more economical cars and so it becomes an arms race as everyone buys bigger cars.
  5. You can't see over their bonnet at junctions, so it becomes harder to pull out past them.
  6. And most of all given the above, they are completely unnecessary. Mostly just a fashion statement.

A great summary.

I know someone who traded their golf in for an SUV recently so their kids would be “safer”. They bought a hybrid and were surprised to discover that the fuel economy was the same or worse than their old golf. Oh, and it turns out boots aren’t any bigger just because they’re higher off the ground. It just means the dog has higher to jump.

Idiots.

CowboyHat · 24/02/2023 21:01

JackieDaws · 24/02/2023 20:57

No, 9 times out of 10 it's parents fault for not teaching kids to cross the roads safely.

Show quote history

Wow. I can’t wait to see you use that as your defense in court!