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Original poster

Why do people buy SUVs?

542 replies

MuskIsACnt · 08/01/2025 23:37

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)?

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Conkers2 · 09/01/2025 08:27

Re the safety issue

I agree, it was a worry for us. We didn't end up going for an suv in the end

However I do wonder all the people talking about getting big booted non suvs, if they've looked at the modern equivalents of their cars for example?

I used to drive a regular focus with an early 2000s which was a perfect mid car, the boot was like a tardis. When I went to upgrade I found the newer focuses had much smaller boots, and were more akin to a fiesta

Now the focus is discontinued.

We also drove a huyundi that's been completely discontinued

If you live in ulez areas or close to them, you are pushed into buying newer cars but newer mid size cars, and estates are vanishing in favour of suvs

I don't think it's fair to assume it's a status symbol, easily mislead erd people being reckless when your options are incredibly limited the second you want to put a buggy in the boot for example or god forbid a buggy and food shop

It genuinely is becoming a choice of a golf sized car or an suv

Gunnersforthecup · 09/01/2025 08:28

In terms of space for kids, I have been driving second hand Volvo estates (long, wide and low) for ooh about 25 years and they have been great in many respects. They have massive boots, they are very comfy, they have a lot of space for car seats and they are pretty safe in a crash for people inside the car and for pedestrians (at least, Volvo put a lot of effort into getting them as safe as possible). They were surprisingly inexpensive second hand and go on for a long time, though our Honda Jazz is much cheaper in terms of fuel costs.

My teenage son is very opposed to getting a SUV, and this will probably have a significant impact on our next choice of car.

dixon86 · 09/01/2025 08:31

Why do people buy SUV's?

Because a very clever marketing ploy has convinced everybody that has children that they have to have an suv

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Cars & vehicles
GeorgeMichaelsCat · 09/01/2025 08:31

I would buy a small one as I often need the large, high boot space. Don't see them as a status symbol personally.

icclemunchy · 09/01/2025 08:31

I need the height to get in and out. I'm disabled and it's nearly impossible to get in and out of little cars unless I have someone strong enough to support me

Conkers2 · 09/01/2025 08:32

Gunnersforthecup · 09/01/2025 08:28

In terms of space for kids, I have been driving second hand Volvo estates (long, wide and low) for ooh about 25 years and they have been great in many respects. They have massive boots, they are very comfy, they have a lot of space for car seats and they are pretty safe in a crash for people inside the car and for pedestrians (at least, Volvo put a lot of effort into getting them as safe as possible). They were surprisingly inexpensive second hand and go on for a long time, though our Honda Jazz is much cheaper in terms of fuel costs.

My teenage son is very opposed to getting a SUV, and this will probably have a significant impact on our next choice of car.

Sadly even volvo has mostly gone for a smaller estate selection and more suvs in their new ranges..

Eventually i suspect even some of the strongest suv critics will have their hands forced as the second hand market of estates continues to age and dry up

User19876536484 · 09/01/2025 08:35

Billydavey · 09/01/2025 08:24

True, but it’s for society to weigh up the balance of risks and decide what’s sensible. It may be we as a society should decide that the risk of cars is acceptable but SUV’s is not. Risk vs benefits (overall, it may well be for some people there’s a huge benefit in owning a large suv but on balance I tend to think the costs outweigh the benefits)

individuals will usually do what’s best for them, and that’s when society steps in and makes them do something different. Like recycle, or not speed, or buy safer cars.

Show quote history

What defines a vehicle as an SUV?

Ten years ago I had a KIA Sportage. According to its V5 it was an “Estate car”.

StinkyWizzleteets · 09/01/2025 08:35

Our ageing parents lived in very rural settings and in bad weather especially October to March getting there in a Yaris would be impossible so we had a big 4x4 suv.

Thankfully (? For another thread) the parents have all recently moved closer so we are going to downsize to a more town appropriate car. There are legit reasons for owning one.

TheAirbender · 09/01/2025 08:36

We have one SUV and one Fiat 500, so I guess our family balances out! We bought an SUV as (IMO) estate/saloon cars are the ugliest things known to man.

Gunnersforthecup · 09/01/2025 08:36

Volvo were apparently going to stop making estates and erm reinstated them because of public demand.

Although every car seems to be getting bigger and wider with each new model. It is quite alarming (and we may need to get our gate widened at some point if this goes on)

Billydavey · 09/01/2025 08:40

User19876536484 · 09/01/2025 08:35

What defines a vehicle as an SUV?

Ten years ago I had a KIA Sportage. According to its V5 it was an “Estate car”.

Edited
Show quote history

I don’t know. I think people talking about the safety issues do t really care about the label, just that cars designed to keep the occupants safer, at the expense of other people outside that car, might not be the right direction of travel for car design in the future and if people won’t make that decision individually then society as a whole should make it.

it’s like speed limits. One person might be very safe driving at 40 but society deems the overall risk too high so sets a 30 limit.

LandSharksAnonymous · 09/01/2025 08:40

I have a 4x4 (proper off-road one) - I have one because I have lots of dogs and when it gets icy or snowy around here you need one. Today, for example, my car is the only one that can get off the road I live on and onto the gritted main roads and the main roads are super quiet.

That being said, half the people with 'SUVs' have Audi A3 or BMWX5 and can't drive them - no idea how big their car is, no idea what side of the road is which, can't park in one space even though their car fits etc. Volvo drivers - XC90 types - are about the best when it comes to SUV handling but even they leave a lot to be desired.

Let's be honest, 99% of SUV drivers are men/women who want to flaunt their wealth to other parents on the school run. Outside of those of us who actually live in the countryside and those who are elderly/disabled (who find it easier to get 'down' as opposed to 'up' from a car) no one really needs an SUV.

DorianMeile · 09/01/2025 08:41

I bought mine because it was the most economical car I could afford and I can tow with it.

Vettrianofan · 09/01/2025 08:41

I miss driving a small car. Need a van to get around due to requirements. It's so annoying.

One downside of a small car I have had on loan from a relative recently though is It's so low down!

AIBot · 09/01/2025 08:43

UK roads and parking spaces are not built to take these US centric vehicle designs at scale.

Also Americans walk everywhere. We are fortunate to have walkable streets, but this leads to far more pedestrians proportionally, a lot of whom are children and young people. SUVs are more likely to harm / kill pedestrians.

NewNeolithic · 09/01/2025 08:44

MuskIsACnt · 08/01/2025 23:48

I’m looking for an EV so gas guzzling not an issue.

Show quote history

If you're buying an EV, the extra weight of all that bodywork makes no sense as it just limits range. Buy the smallest car that can accommodate your needs, with the biggest battery.

peacockbluefeather · 09/01/2025 08:45

Status symbol. Good for running over other people's toddlers.

ForkMeImToast · 09/01/2025 08:45

For us it's partly because everyone else in the area drives one and I hate being physically lower down than them. I'm already a very, very reluctant driver and that really wasn't helping. We also wanted to be able to fit three people in the back and have a big enough boot.

We don't drive a flashy one though - it's the most basic version of the car and I'm sure most Range Rover drivers wouldn't even consider ours a SUV as it's so much smaller than theirs 😅

Conkers2 · 09/01/2025 08:45

LandSharksAnonymous · 09/01/2025 08:40

I have a 4x4 (proper off-road one) - I have one because I have lots of dogs and when it gets icy or snowy around here you need one. Today, for example, my car is the only one that can get off the road I live on and onto the gritted main roads and the main roads are super quiet.

That being said, half the people with 'SUVs' have Audi A3 or BMWX5 and can't drive them - no idea how big their car is, no idea what side of the road is which, can't park in one space even though their car fits etc. Volvo drivers - XC90 types - are about the best when it comes to SUV handling but even they leave a lot to be desired.

Let's be honest, 99% of SUV drivers are men/women who want to flaunt their wealth to other parents on the school run. Outside of those of us who actually live in the countryside and those who are elderly/disabled (who find it easier to get 'down' as opposed to 'up' from a car) no one really needs an SUV.

Honestly lots of people do need suvs
If you are looking at newer cars and want to have a biggish boot for a pram etc then very quickly you end up pushed into the suv market.
Lots of the models of cars parents used to get are now remade into suvs

Nina1013 · 09/01/2025 08:46

I feel more comfortable driving a big car. We have one for towing a pony and another just because it was the car we chose (Range Rover). I’ve had small cars and while I agree, they’re easy to park, I found having to think about which car I had with me in relation to would X, Y, Z fit in the boot etc to be a huge pain. Now both have huge boot space, they’re good in all weathers and they have cameras and sensors so they’re easy to park anyway.

Nina1013 · 09/01/2025 08:48

Nina1013 · 09/01/2025 08:46

I feel more comfortable driving a big car. We have one for towing a pony and another just because it was the car we chose (Range Rover). I’ve had small cars and while I agree, they’re easy to park, I found having to think about which car I had with me in relation to would X, Y, Z fit in the boot etc to be a huge pain. Now both have huge boot space, they’re good in all weathers and they have cameras and sensors so they’re easy to park anyway.

Just to add though, due to ponies we need both cars to be capable in all terrains and spend a lot of time rurally. We aren’t just whizzing around an inner city in them.

Capricornandproud · 09/01/2025 08:49

Its the height I need - I’m 5ft 1 and travelling in a Golf feels like I’m stuck on a skateboard! Also I just love SUVs and jeeps. Always have. The power, the chunkiness, the feel, the space… I do drive a Land Rover and feel amazing in it. However I’m in my forties and only just treated myself to a ‘new’ one which 6 years old, and the fuel bill has been a bit of a shock!

Richiewoo · 09/01/2025 08:54

Pretentious twats.

BeAzureAnt · 09/01/2025 08:54

Farmer around here need them to tow. EV though if you want one, because after seeing the fires in LA, climate change is here. My friend lost his house

Packetofcrispsplease · 09/01/2025 08:56

We have one , it’s a PHEV ( so not gas guzzling ) we have a bank of solar panels so that charges it ( plus gives us domestic power and we sell back to the grid )
We also live semi rurally , in an elevated position and get snow ❄️
We need a reasonable interior and boot space because we have visitors who stay for fairly long periods of time and who need ferrying about , picking up with their luggage .
I find it provides excellent visibility when driving .
I actually tend to prefer a smaller car for nipping about , but this is what we need .