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)?

What's the connection here? Why would a dim person drive an SUV?

If you read the thread you will see lots of people talking about why they have bought SUVs.

I has a couple when my kids were small. It’s easier to wrangle kids onto car seats. They’re also very easy to park, but UK car parking spaces are generally too small.

@MuskIsACnt country pursuits, driving through muddy fields, towing horseboxes etc, etc. they more often than not have parking cameras! my dh last vehicle had all round cameras but his new one only has reversing cameras for parking.

I had a Ford Kuga which is apparently classed as a "compact" SUV. Loved it, I liked the height but it was nice to drive and had lots of little compartments to keep stuff in, boot space was good although I don't think it was anything special. Useful for bad weather, we get a lot of flooding near here so a higher car is handier for that.

It was so expensive to run so I swapped for an electric especially as I was going to be driving a lot less. Much cheaper and better for the car when I'm only driving to the supermarket or the odd school run. I don't like it anywhere near as much but needs must.

Anything Range rover size is too big for me, plus too expensive and absolutely pointless. If someone like me wants to get one and basically set fire to a load of bank notes then that's their prerogative really. Some people genuinely need an SUV for whatever reasons like terrain or lifestyle.

What car did you go for in the end @Conkers2
I'm looking for something with a big boot space - an SUV preferably as I like the high driving position, but not a huge one and I don't want to buy an estate car.,

I know people always come on here talking about horses, and muddy fields etc, but come on, we know the huge majority of people buying SUVs are not participating in 'country pursuits'

Our big car is much easier to park.
It's able to carry more passengers.
The boots bigger too.

Because I want it and can afford it. That simple.

Live in the country, boot space for dog/tip runs/holiday luggage, spacious inside

I bought a car recently. I looked into small SUVs but once I found out the increased height at the front means you are far more likely to kill a child if you hit them it was a none starter. I don't actually blame people because the facts are not widely known and the marketing about 'safety' has been very effective

I've just downgraded from a big one to a not really one.
I had a Freelander 2. Fabulous car. I live quite rurally, have a large dog, grandkids and an allotment and it was my muck wagon and we also camp every year and could load it to the hilt (and on the roof)! Got through floods and horrible potholes.
BUT... the MPG was terrible, the tax was horrific. So I've sold it for a little nissan Juke... still a decently high position (I have arthritis in my spine and hips) but much cheaper to run. I'll miss the 4x4 in bad weather .
It was never a status symbol for me.. just a practical load lugger. I have no interest in flashy cars, just one that does what I need it to.

I really fancied a Mini but it was so low it was not comfortable :(

Test drive a few cars that suit your needs OP (SUV & regular).
The SUV types can have smaller steering circles and if you have all the sensors and mirrors, then parking is very easy.
The sitting position and seat adjustments are also much better - but that may be because of newer styles/tech.
My old car couldn't raise the seat up - so I could just see over the wheel (I am tiny). The SUV raises it up too - so visibility is much better.

Ultimately noone else can tell you - try and see if you like any. I needed a 7 seater so went for an SUV and was pleasantly surprised how easy to handle it was. Now I have an electric sedan - this is lower but almost as heavy as the SUV so is also a dangerous car.

Do come back and tell us what you bought. You'll probably need to name change though if you end up moving to the dark side and buying an SUV!!

well as many of you have pointed out SUVs are expensive therefore by definition only high earning people can ford them. Are
you saying that all high earners are stupid? Is that why they got the promotions is it? Logically the dumb people are the ones in the low paid low skill jobs who can’t afford anything better.

The Hyundai excel I had for 15years and 300,000+ kms, weighed not much more than my horse. So to tow the horse I needed a bigger car.

But what if you run over a child? I'm pretty sure you'll kill him/her. Don't you care?

Get a car that suits you, just because everyone drives a SUV doesn't mean you have to.

Some people need one as they live in the sticks with muddy, uneven, slightly flooded/icy country roads.

For the majority of people,it's just a car that looks good and 'shows status/wealth' (think range rovers). Then there's people who (imo) are nervous (and bad) drivers and like to sit up high to give them a false sense of security

I think it's just the style that's fashionable now. Unless you're driving country roads or towing (and have an actual 4x4, not just an SUV style car) they're not really needed.

We have wanted a car with big boot space and looked at a lot of SUVs but the boots were much smaller than expected. Got a Tesla in the end which has a huge boot capacity and is the best car we've ever had (shame about Elon!)

We have one because we usually go out with four adults in the car & there's a lot of space in the back. Also in the previous car our son's head (he's 6 foot 5) was pressed against the ceiling.
It is a beast and slightly embarrassing, but it's very comfortable and you do have that being in a van above the traffic type feeling.

2 Labradors; outdoor lifestyle; NE Scotland country roads; snow .

I love my SUV, it has never let me down.

I can see you're not serious so I think we'll leave it there

Because after 20 years driving MPVs: A Citroën PIcasso then a Ford SMax, I got used to a higher driving position. To be fair, when the DC grew up and I no longer had to cart uni stuff about, I had promised myself a proper sports car for my 60th birthday. Then life happened:

I developed osteoporosis and fractured two vertebra and have a touch of osteo arthritis.

Our mothers hit their mid 80s and became more frail, especially DH's. It's easier for them to get in/out of a higher car as well as me.

We or I still drive long distances: mother 100 miles, MIL and DS/DIL 240 miles, France 800 miles.

And also, I can afford a decent car and wanted one and it was my choice.

Just to wind up the haters a bit more, I like a bit of welly under the bonnet and wouldn't contemplate less than a 2L.

I have 4 children, a dog, and live in a village that can become fairly inaccessible in bad weather. I'm also 5'10" and hate driving a small car - I look like I'm wearing it.

I'm just pointing out your hypocrisy.

Headroom. My dh is 6ft 2 inches. With an suv he can comfortably get in the car without folding in half to do it and his head doesn't touch the roof once he's sat in it. I have drive a Vauxhall corsa. Plenty of room for me.

Haha, no, it’s a Beetle. But there are no straight panels on it. It’s not hard to park by any means but the straight sides of the truck means it’s easier to get it straight in the bay.

The doors are also shorter on the truck so you don’t have to open the door as wide to get out. It takes up more physical space in the bay though, obviously.