Why are there so many SUV's on the road?

[Sausagenbacon]

I've just had a wonderful cycle ride (we used to cycle a lot during lockdown but not since).
We really noticed how busy the roads were, which was unsurprising, but we also noticed that most people drive suv's now, which is a pita.
Why is this, and how do people afford them?

Ah, another MN we hate SUVs thread.

Everyone has different reasons for buying everything, but getting fed up here of meeting them on narrow lanes!

Thoughts and prayers

I love mine (it’s 12 years old and I bought it out of my own money)

Why?

3 kids, 2 being older teens and adult sized and it has 7 seats when required

I have a horse and it tows really well

Son has a topper and competes, it tows really well

It has loads of room for bikes, scooters, camping gear, sailing gear etc

Its high up and so I feel safe in it

I love it and it’s the best vehicle I have ever had

Because it has 7 seats and still room for a shed load of stuff, a boat on the roof and bikes on the back. Can tow around 3.5 tonnes easily and be comfortable at the same time

Or you could buy an SUV, load up your bikes easily and find somewhere to cycle safely off the roads?

Im planning on getting an SUV for my next car.

Primarily because of the potholes.

But also because I keep getting blinded by the headlights. So hope if im higher up it'll help.

Winter is really bad for driving cos of all the headlights

No , some of us buy them outright . I love my SUV and will another when my current one needs updating .

They’re really nice to drive.

An SUV driver is never going to care that a cyclist thinks they’re a PITA. I live in an area where loads of cyclists and cycle clubs come out from London for a lovely leisurely Sunday cycle. I think they are a PITA, cycling 2/3 abreast and having a lovely old chat on country lanes.

If you are including Qashqais in your definition.
I've got a 12 year old one. It's reliable, reasonable to insure and comfortable for my huge lumbering carcass.
Plus the dog fits in it nicely.
Parts are cheap and I drove it to Spain 3 weeks ago.

Nice try.

It's no longer simply a "personal choice" when it impacts the safety of other people.

I think they are a bit selfish. So much space taken up on roads and car parks that are not designed to accommodate them.

100% agree @Sausagenbacon I can't stand them. Most people who have them don't need them as they live in a town or city! (And some of them who do have them don't know the size of them and can't drive them properly!) I can't stand them personally!

(Awaits the stream of posters claiming the have an SUV and they DO need it because they live rurally......... ) 🙄

No , some of us buy them outright . I love my SUV and will buy another when the time comes

Exactly. You do have a good point, no? 😆

I think the parents of the girls killed in Wimbledon would agree, that nobody needs an SUV in an urban area, other than to show that they don't give a shit about anybody else.

My last car was an SUV but it's wheel base was no larger than an average car.

Higher seating (much easier when i did my back min) and larger boot.

I’m going to guess people buy them because they pay for the cost of them monthly, making them able to afford them. So many other people have them which means if you have a tiny car the risk goes up if there’s an accident. There’s more room to chuck stuff in. They look good. Myriad of reasons. I bought one outright because I wanted the room.

I’ve got 2, live fairly rural, bought outright, my husband works hard and we love ours, don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks

Because they fit all the diving gear in the boot. Or the pile of paving slabs. And the tree.

Couldn’t do half of what I manage alone with a small car.

😆As I was saying...................

Bizarre comments on here! Some are not very big at all. A large estate car is bigger than the mid sized SUVs. Looks like jealousy to me. Or some sort of communist society where we all drive state produced crap cars. Yes, I do live rurally, had my first Range Rover 33 years ago and currently own a Porsche Macan, BMW iX3 and a RR Discovery and I love them all. Please ride your bikes somewhere else. And yes, I’m a capable driver who can park, know the width and even be courteous to other pleasant road users - not cyclists who use footpaths and pavements.

Can I ask about the people saying they feel safer in one. Is that just because of being higher than other cars? Or would it feel equally safe being that bit higher up if everyone had SUVs and was at the same height?

I drive a fiesta and I feel a bit scared that more and more people's car bonnets are at the level of mine and my kids' faces.

There's also a nasty roundabout I have to use regularly where the exit to the right is set back, and when a car with a big bonnet pulls up next to me I can't see past them so have to wait for them to go first every time.

We're going to need to get a new car soon and I'm not keen on SUVs but wondering if we need to consider something a little bigger/higher so we're not putting ourselves at greater risk.

I have zero need or wish to cycle in country lanes. I frequently need to park next to SUV's -woh doesn't these days? It's what reverse/ parallel parking is for?!
I am guessing you have little need to navigate London roads given your ever so tetchy responses. I saw the thread, have queried what it's about, you have been rude, dismissive and unclear to many posting here with identical queries. Why bother to post if you can't cope with clarifying what your actual issue is?

I hate them. I'm car hunting and fed up with cars all being so much bigger these days. I have very little space to park one at home so I don't know what I'm going to do.

Even a bloody mini is huge these days.