To not understand the obsession with SUVs/4x4s?

[GinDaddy]

I'm genuinely curious to hear people's views below. Nearly every parent I know in my area has a 4x4 car of some sort. That's dozens of folk. The car parks at our local supermarket are covered in the things.

My AIBU is to ask, what is the obsession with these things? Why are they the "default" choice for parents now, considering so many folk can't park them properly, and our roads aren't set up for them?

I watched in amused horror yesterday as a lady with a Vauxhall Grandland X (yep...me neither) tried to park head-first in a bay in our local supermarket. The width of the thing was the issue, but once "parked", the rear of the car was practically touching the front of the neighbouring vehicle.

It was just absurd. Why is this car any better than an Astra estate, or in the same price category, a Skoda Octavia estate, both of which are narrower and better on fuel, and the Skoda which has extraordinary amounts of luggage capacity and legroom?

I think the answer is simple, it's an image thing. People feel their life is more exciting with DCs if they're in something that looks like it could climb a mountain at the weekend.

Only problem is, my DW and I find public car parks absurd at the moment as I find more and more of these hideous things parked terribly at every juncture.

The beauty of living in a capitalist economy is the prerogative of choice, helped by dollops of PCP finance handed out by every car dealer, meaning anyone can get into a boxy car on stilts.

But for goodness sake can people learn how to drive and park these things if they're going to be bought by everyone? Driving down streets with parked cars on either side is a game of "my car is bigger than yours, so move over", which is just embarrassing.

NOTE: I have no issues with envy here; we have a 6-year old estate car from a well known Bavarian marque with a three letter acronym. I don't ride 2mm off people's bumpers, and it serves our family's needs well.

I am late to the party but I have one because I see a chiropractor several times a month and lifting babies and pushchairs down to a low car kills me 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I hope that's alright with you OP!

I have a theory that you all can't bend or lift your kids around, and find it easier to get in and out of high vehicles because you aren't as ... err.. fit as people of parenting age should be. (ducks and runs for cover).

Genuine question, can some 4x4s be crap in bad weather? One of my neighbours has a 4x4, not sure what make, and it really struggled to get off our hilly road in icy weather. Other cars (normal ones), made it up ok.

@xingming

I have had osteoarthritis since I was a teenager. In addition, the discs in my spine are both crumbling and protruding so no, I’m probably not as fit and flexible as some others my age. Honestly, the height of my car is a godsend. I’m early 40s but sadly my spine as bones have aged a lot faster than the rest of me! However, I recently did a 3 mile open water swim so I’m not quite as feeble as you might think

I have a Discovery. Why? Because it looks good, it’s convenient for day-to-day use and it’s my money that pays for it so therefore my choice; funnily enough.

I don’t have to defend my right to buy what I like just because it offends you.

I have had 4x4 in both low cars - Audi and Subaru and also the usual higher car. I have a 4x4 Porsche at present.
Reasons:

1. I ain't getting stuck in the snow thanks.
2. My boot is filled to the brim on the school run/going to work. I like everything in the boot with the inside of the car just for people so it's safer. Not rooting round behind other luggage trying to get stuff out.
3. I wanted something fast. Miserable if I'm driving a slow courtesy car on MOT day.
4. Get the grandparents in on a day out.
5. Room for wheelchair for granny AND shopping.
6. I enjoy the sound of a superb engine.
7. My cash my choice and it looks bloody lovely.

Oh and I'm shit hot at parking.

Thanks for that @xingming, as stated clearly in my post, I have a disability caused by a severe car accident, which makes it hard for me to get in and out of the car, and get my children in and out. I do sport multiple times a week, in fact if I didn't I would be permanently, rather than only occasionally, in a wheelchair.

Ronsters yes SUVs with rear wheel drive can struggle. Your neighbours car probably isn't a 4x4 if it was struggling.

There's a particular type of BMW which is horrific in snow/ice.

Thanks Pasta, I think it is a BMW actually.

I live in zone 3 London, no need for anyone to have one around here, but there plenty of them. Someone at the end of our street has bought a Lamborghini SUV. It is the most good awful thing, bright yellow. I just looked them up and they cost £160,00+. No way it would fit at the local Sainsbury's.

All it does is make them look like a grade A cunt

I was not being pointed for anyone with a genuine disability. All the car companies make their young designers wear body suits designed to mimic limited mobility options to experience physical difficulties, and I am old enough to have friends with all the muscular-skeletal frailties. But there are a lot of people here who are clearly able-bodied enough to wrangle kids and child seats without duress but prefer to drive gas-guzzling monsters for the height and status.

I live a short distance away from the 'footballer belt' of Cheshire.

Every fucker's got one, and they're all white.

God yes I hate white cars, always have.

"I’m glad your car serves you well as you traverse all that terrain to get to your dh’s parents."
🤣

@Shmithecat2 with the seats down would not be boot space. I completely disagree. The boot, with the seats up is fuckingg huge in comparison to an suv or 4x4 or any other car I have seen. I can fit 4 adult sized bikes in there in one go

My only issue with them is that they don't seem to want to go faster than 40 in a 60. Drives me insane!!

And yes, it's a clear, dry day. And, yes, they don't have to go 60, but still..

tinkly I have an ancient defender that rarely goes on roads. The luxury functions include a music system comprised of a docking station and Bluetooth speakers, rags to demist the windscreen and a blanket for cold weather. It’s decrepit and battered. I’ve also test drove numerous 4x4 including the evoque and I’d bet the defender against any of them for the stuff ours get used for.

Don’t get me wrong I’d rather drive my 4x4 than our defender, and prefer towing a trailer out and about with it. But if I had to bet one against the other for towing strength or serious off roading it would be the slow, heavy, very basic defender. I wouldn’t swop mine for a new evoque, let alone a more modern one. It is indestructible.

There’s also no way I’d be comfortable letting teenagers off road an evoque. Forgetting the money, they are flimsy by comparison if you want utility function. Lovely luxury cars if you just need basic smaller 4x4 use though.

@XingMing I suffer with injuries from a car accident but thanks for the pointless reminder that my body has aged significantly because of this. 🖕🏼

@pastabest @Ronsters
Yes, for some peculiar reason, BMW released the X5 in a 2WD (rear) version. Absolutely pointless. About as much good on any more than a hard frost as a chocolate fire guard.

I seem to have an invisibility cloak when I meet one of these 4x4s on the road. Almost all assume priority whether it's actually their priority or not, and never give way. One came around the corner at speed last week and was looking right past me and my small car. My kids shouted "she doesn't even see you" but I had already swerved to avoid a collision.

Fine for the country maybe or motorways. But most should be banned from tight city streets. Maybe there should be an extra driving license test for certain sized cars.

Chav machines. I grow up in the country and most farmers dont use 4x4s. Yanbu.

Why would anyone be jealous of someone owning a 4x4 or an SUz

@Itsfineactually a berlingo has 775l of boot space with both rows in use. The XL has 1050l. My car (Disco 3) with both rows in use has 1192. .

I'm one of these people- I've already got my next car picked out and I'm not due to get one for another 2 years. It's a big merc, it parks itself so no bother then. It's purely because I like that it parks itself and I love the way it looks plus loads of space for kids