Why do people buy SUVs?

[MuskIsACnt]

I need a new car and I’ve always had a small car but it seems every other car now is an SUV, so I’m wondering why and whether I need one.

The boot space is often the same as smaller cars, they’re more expensive and arguably harder to park. Am I missing some great benefit that I should be considering? Or does driving a big car just make people feel big (I used to drive a Luton van and that made me feel big)?

We've got one. My husband bought it because he likes them and you can fit loads of stuff in it. It is nice to drive to be fair, you can see everything and I guess its handy if the roads flood, we can fit 7 people in if we need to. For all the comments about people wanting a status symbol or whatever, you could say that about so many cars, but surely most people just buy a car 'cause they like it and it suits their needs.

I've just looked on a couple of car manufacturers websites (we ended up going for an older car in the end)
Lots either say small/ compact, then give suv as the next category. A few had a saloon option but some had zero

Because every other car that is offered is an SUV.

I didn't want one but it was the best option for us out of all the options. We have 3 DC so we need a reasonable amount of inside space and ordinary estate cars aren't any cheaper most of the time. It made more sense for us to lease rather than buy second hand and then have to faff around trading it in - we aren't car people and we don't want the hassle of breaking down or unexpected repair bills. We got a good deal (OK sure we got sweet talked by a very good salesman) including a warranty/guarantee.

Then we upgraded to the 7 seater which was an SUV as well, again because it was the most cost effective way to do it.

We will probably lease again when this lease is up.

We live rurally and lanes out of the village regularly have standing water across them, not just in the depths of winter. Our smaller (standard sized) car is much lower and has twice been damaged by driving through standing water. Sadly it wasn’t sensible to get another low car unless we moved house.

We have a "compact" SUV, an oldish Vauxhall Mokka. We both have mobility issues, and it's very easy to get in and out of. The driving position is good, it's surprisingly economical, and it's been (touch wood) very reliable.
It also feels safe, and that's important to me as a perpetually nervous driver.

Unless something has changed, the main reason to avoid buying an SUV is the environment. Although, that works for most cars because, however green they are, there are way too many of them

Because I won't fit in with the rest of the school mums if I don't have a massive Wankpanzer to drive 2 miles down the road in the suburbs for the school drop off. Also, I need to fit in by parking it badly over two parking spaces in the school carpark and leave it there for 20 minutes while I gossip with my pseudo friends at drop off, and then piss off the local residents by driving it back home over the wrong side of the road because I have no spatial awareness. Also, DH said I need have one to make his dick look bigger with his mates at the golf club.

If you live where I live, you'd agree with the above.

We live in a hilly area and take the car on holiday so need a good 4x4 for all weather and all conditions. We regularly used to get friends kids to school when there was snow.
We have a Honda and always have as we find them amazingly reliable.
We feel safer sitting higher up especially as we can see above others to what’s coming, crossing etc.
It can pull a heavy weight up hills without any problem.
We regularly drive long distances and want to be in a safer car, ie one that gives a better chance of survival in a crash.

If all we were doing was pottering around town and rarely going far we would go for a smaller car.

Easier to get in and out off.
And car manufacturers have taken lots of cars off the market, Fiesta, Focus no more.

I think it might be Puma and Kuga have more space for batteries if they are being pushed down the electric route

Shame you both need the car to fit in 🤣🤣🤣 isn’t your personality enough?!

Country bumpkin here and I drive a 4x4 so I can get out of my village when it floods or snows. I have large dogs and my car is a workhorse for me.

If I actually cleaned it wouldn't look out of place on a London school run, Minus the dents.

But what suits your lifestyle? The SUV market and 4x4 market exist for others who need or like them. If you don't need one don't buy one?

My husbands very tall so head room is an issue in a lot of cars, he has the type of job where he has to drive off road and needs to carry equipment. Need 3 full sized back seats with good leg room, all family are tall apart from me. Holiday in the U.K. driving so lots of boot space is good and seats are very comfy in a Land Rover .Youngest child was very sporty so needed space for all kinds of sports equipment.

Oh dear, someone's ego been hurt?

🤣🤣🤣

I never understood the logic of an SUV without four wheel drive- it's pointless.

Also the obsession with size of the vehicle, personally for rural living I would go for an older Defender, Hilux or my personal favourite a Suzuki Jimny.

Because I have a permanent back condition caused by a broken spine in my teenage years and honestly, getting in and out of an SUV-style vehicle is a thousand times easier (and more dignified!).

Also, DH has a car trailer that he often moves his old bangers classic cars around on, so my trusty old 4WD SUV is useful for that too.

I like the higher driving position . I’m perfectly capable of parking .

I took your comment quite seriously
Assumed you had a fitting in issue

😇

Being serious, I have absolutely no issues with SUVs or equivalents in the right environment. I have family who live rurally and have vehicles like these and that's the right choice for them. I just really don't understand the people near me with one child and a dog that choose these sort of massive cars (don't get me started on the trend for the massive pick up trucks as well!) when they are only doing a couple of miles at a time around the suburbs of London, and quite frankly are not capable of handling such large cars through narrow spaces.

Are you drunk?

I loved my humble little car m! But my family could never fit in (parents needing more leg room) and with a new addition to the family and always driving around it was important that the space at the back could fit everything for the kids. Plus I do lots of local work and often need the large back seat.

That’s my reason anyway. I was so shocked when I enter car parks and most of the cars are SUVs. They are great for big family life - but I’m looking forward to going back to a small car when the kids are grown up and I’m done being chauffeur.

I got an SUV but not a flashy brand. I hate how large it is but it’s perfect for waiting in when I’m dropping children off to their activities.

I have chronic all over pain, especially back and shoulders. I have a blue badge and can’t crumple up into low, small cars without hurting myself. My door is very tall. A one off I am more likely to get away with. Every day, no chance. As for dh, his is smaller. But he drives in the motorway long distance and it’s the safest vehicle in that regard. As someone upthread observes, SUVs have replaced estate cars. In the past he had an estate.

I find it is easier to load children in and out of car seats in an SUV than a car. Also, I feel safer in an SUV than a car when I’m on the road; I would rather not be the small car in a collision with a bigger car.

I don’t want to drive a big car as I have really bad special awareness and wouldn’t be able to park it. I really dislike all the very big cars on the road now. I think they take up too much space (in particular in car parks) and are often driven by people who think they own the road or are bad drivers who think their car always have right of way.

We are a tall family so the height of the interior make it more comfortable. Also getting in and out. We don’t go for the really big SUVs that you need a step ladder even if you’re 6 ft. Currently driving an Audi Q5.
My 6’3” DS has a Polo, he has the seat as far back as you can get it and still has to fold his legs up. It’s comical watching him get in it but insurance dictates the size of car. He’s 21 later this year so can be added on to the other car then.
We also live rurally so a more comfortable driving height for spotting on coming traffic.
The lanes can be very muddy all year round with a lot of standing water. Snow is not really a problem where we live but it’s nice to know you have 4 wheel drive if needed.

I used to live in the Pennines so I’m fully aware that 4 wheel drive only gives you a small advantage. Driving style is far more important. The only vehicle that is snow proof is the old Landrover Defender.

I learned to drive in a 1970s Volvo estate with no power assisted steering or gadgets to help you park. I prefer big cars and I’m comfortable driving them. DS’s Polo is the smallest car I’ve ever driven.

I have a small SUV (Ford Ecosport). I’ve had it for about 8 years and originally wanted it due to the height, as I live in a busy area where there are lots of parked cars.

It is not difficult to park and in fact is shorter in length than many sedans.

I am about due for a new car and had a quick browse over the holiday period, not really looking seriously yet. There were probably more SUVs that met my criteria than anything else.

But they do look cool. Not really a status symbol around here - plenty of other posh, expensive cars on the road.