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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand the obsession with 4x4s

449 replies

Midlandsmum42 · 26/01/2021 12:46

I really don't understand why there are so many 4x4s on the road in cities and the country, half of the parents have them on the school run (when there was a school run). They are so bad for the environment and too big and unnecessary. They weren't needed in the past and aren't needed now. Completely understand why a farmer needs one or someone on construction sites but driving kids to school!!!

OP posts:
PattyPan · 26/01/2021 13:19

Totally agree OP. Can’t believe people are talking about safety features for their kids whilst simultaneously destroying the environment their kids live in!

umpteennamechanges · 26/01/2021 13:20

Because they're supremely useful...

We haven't been able to leave our estate for two days due to snow and our car being shit in snow.

We live in the country and have lots of local roads that flood.

It's easy to pick up furniture - I like to upcycle and re-upholster things

Lots of room for a couple of dogs, couple of kids, bikes, Christmas trees, holiday luggage and whatever the hell else you might want to chuck in

We'll be switching to a 4x4 as soon as we can and really miss our Q5.

Londongent · 26/01/2021 13:21

Are there really more 4x4's, or are they just SUV/crossover cars that are designed to look like 4x4's?

umpteennamechanges · 26/01/2021 13:21

Also it does feel very safe, you get a much better view of the road ahead and at roundabouts.

Lazypuppy · 26/01/2021 13:23

Car seat fits in better, and at a better height so i don't have to break my back bending down to get dd in and out. Pushchair fits in etc.

Mine is only a 1litre petrol so not sure why that is worse for the environment than someone in a 2litre vauxhall corsa?

Pukkatea · 26/01/2021 13:24

My friend is an engineer for JLR and he says the vast majority of their models aren't fit to be driven off road or in poor conditions, they are built to be status symbols as that is now their key demographic.

GappyValley · 26/01/2021 13:25

Mine is hybrid. 95% of my city driving is done in full electric mode, so it’s far less polluting than any other car I have owned
And it’s exempt from the congestion charge

The higher seats make it much easier to get kids in and out of seats; it’s comfortable to drive; the boot fits dogs, bikes, wellies and clutter without any issue

I live in the spiritual home of the Chelsea tractor 4x4 driver, but I would guess that more than half of the ones which have been bought in the last year are electric versions of a Range Rover, Volvo or BMW - all the lamp posts around us have got a car plugged into them to charge up

Rewis · 26/01/2021 13:25

There are plenty of 4×4 that are electric and not that big. I don't have a car but my parents past few has been that I occasionally drive. Their current one is a hybrid so not that horrible to the environment. It's nice to be higher up and it is pleasant to drive. There is a lot of snow here so it's easier to drive if the snow has yet to be removed. Also in our are the roads are wide. I did prefer my bf's ford ka when we lived in an old historical town where you had to go to the curb when someone was passing you on the other side of the road.

wewillmeetagain · 26/01/2021 13:25

Status symbol

DinnaeFashSassenach · 26/01/2021 13:26

@Pukkatea

My friend is an engineer for JLR and he says the vast majority of their models aren't fit to be driven off road or in poor conditions, they are built to be status symbols as that is now their key demographic.
That's probably a fair point. My Landrover is 23 years old and knows what mud is.
Heyha · 26/01/2021 13:26

Mine is old, dented and grubby so definitely not a status symbol but I don't think mine is the sort you're talking about (it's very obvious that mine does a proper job). Hate taking it into town though as it's horrible to park so generally don't!

We have a lot round us that have shiny 4x4 but can't possibly reverse/go up the verge when meeting traffic on our narrow lanes so I agree with you to a point in that many people who previously would have had a people carrier or estate have now gone 4x4.

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 26/01/2021 13:26

They are a status symbol on the new build estate we live on; owned by people who are a bit rough with a bit of money!

MargosKaftan · 26/01/2021 13:26

I dont have a 4x4. Dhs car (which soon will be the only family car as we don't need 2 anymore) is an estate car that width and length is about that of most 4x4s. Except you can't fit 3 car seats in the back. Oddly, even though its about as gas guzzling as most 4x4s and takes up as much space when parked, estates don't get anywhere near as much anger. They are cheaper though.

We have 2 dcs so this is a suitable family car for us. If we had 3 or more with at least 2 needing car seats, we'd have bought one.

We don't need a big car for every journey, but when we drop to 1 car, it needs to be suitable for all journeys.

Nopreservatives · 26/01/2021 13:27

@Pukkatea

My friend is an engineer for JLR and he says the vast majority of their models aren't fit to be driven off road or in poor conditions, they are built to be status symbols as that is now their key demographic.
This isn't true. The Land Rover family are the one 4x4 that is truly up to the job, should you need it to be. I did an off road driving thingy in my Discovery. I was amazed at the thing it could do, practically vertical rock faces etc.
Original poster
Midlandsmum42 · 26/01/2021 13:28

I also don't understand the need to be higher up, definitely not safer for other road users

OP posts:
randomsabreuse · 26/01/2021 13:28

Softer suspension, bigger tyres makes potholes less painful and less likely to damage tyres/suspension...

Due to the fashion for SUVs there are fewer estate cars around to buy, so to get boot space you give in and get an SUV.

We still have estate cars, both are very competent on snow on all season tyres.

natalienewname · 26/01/2021 13:28

@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus charming

What do the less rough people with money drive on your estate?

Or, the rough but poor people? But perhaps they can't afford to live near you. Although I can't say it sounds appealing, so lucky them

mygenericusername · 26/01/2021 13:29

My friend is an engineer for JLR and he says the vast majority of their models aren't fit to be driven off road or in poor conditions, they are built to be status symbols as that is now their key demographic.

What utter nonsense. I run Land Rovers and work in a specific area that gives me enough knowledge to say bullshit. Our land rovers are work horses both the new and nearly 70 year old ones.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 26/01/2021 13:29

I fully admit mine looks a bit silly on the school run. On the narrow, Victorian terraced street where the school is.

But... We don't just use on the school run. It's just to transport a 16ft Canadian Canoe on the roof. It's used for Scout Activities, including off road. It's used for family camping. It's used in the Alps in winter. We need 7seats sometimes. And it is useful on snow... Being how we live on a massive hill outside townwhen the Police shut the road to all vehicles but 4x4s and tractors.

It's shiny and pretty... But relatively small. (LR Discovery Sport)

Bananarama101 · 26/01/2021 13:30

Large SUV's are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian or cyclist at 30mph than a small car. I know it's natural to want to make you feel your own family is safe in one, but it's not going to do them any favours if they're hit by one.

There's also quite a few 4wd 'regular' cars that would manage just as well or even better in winter. To be honest, the times when you might actually need it are minimal anyway, and if you're worried about snow/ice then you'd be much better off having all season/winter tyres on a 2wd car. It'll do better on those than a 4wd on wide low-profile summer tyres anyway.

Original poster
Midlandsmum42 · 26/01/2021 13:30

surely an estate car will tick the boxes as far as space is concerned, we live in the country and there is no need for a 4x4

OP posts:
JabbyMcJabface · 26/01/2021 13:31

@DinnaeFashSassenach

Does anyone on here who dislikes 4x4 own a sports car? Just curious.
This.

So what if people by a 4x4 because they like them and can afford them. It’s no different to people who buy sports cars.

Sillyduckseverywhere · 26/01/2021 13:31

I Don't give a shit what you drive as long as you drive it competently.
Judging by the shitshow outside my house (near 2 schools) I'd say a large chunk of 4x4 drivers don't.

JabbyMcJabface · 26/01/2021 13:32

And I don’t use mine on the school run. I walk.

Hobbesmanc · 26/01/2021 13:32

Lots of SUVs aren't 4x4. They are bigger and feel safer