HMC: "By all means deride those 4x4's with zero and 1 star for pedestrian safety (I'll join you), but don't tar all with same brush. It's unhelpful. Why should smaller vehicles with deplorable statistics - and there are lots of these, slip beneath the radar.
I find all of this very political - but road safety should be objective and not dealing in stereotypes and generalisations"
Actually, I agree with you there, HMC, and the same goes for emissions, too.
But there is another cause behind people's aversion to 4x4s, and it is one which probably comes under 'irrational' - but is, imo 'understandable' and does, perhaps contribute to those statistics given by insurance companies that show 4x4 drivers to be proportionately more likely to both be in accidents and be 'at fault' in accidents.
People often 9including on this thread) say they find 4x4s 'intimidating'. They are bulkier and bigger than ordinat=ry cars, but it isn't just that. The reason people like them (often) is because they are chunky, they are built to be invincible, and they LOOK invincible. The marketing and advertising of them plays exactly to this image...they FORCE their way through mud, they are photographed from below, stark against the horizon on a mountain - in a parody of a dominant stag in the highjlands sort of way. Tho photography is always dat=rk, the filming is 'thriller' style, with lots of close ups of bends and speed. They are NAMED to be intimidating, or at least imposing.
I think it is disingenous to pretend that none of this affects people - either the reason they buy them, or the reason they object to them - it's part and parcel of what the thing is.
Hoodies, Niquabs and 4x4s all, like it or not, give an image of untouchability / hostility - however lovely, cuddly, socially responsible and human the person in them is. It isn't rational to respond to any of these things in a generalised blanket way, but there is foundation in it.
Unfortunately, some people who choose to buy and drive 4x4s DO drive as if they think they are Kings of the road and everyone else should get out of their way, like so much splashy mud in the ads. I think this is what is behind those insurance company statistics. Which show that a 4x4 is statistically 27% more likely to cause an accident against you than a normal car!
Many, many of the objections about 4x4s come from people in inner-city urban environments. Many people who post objections to them (like me) qualify that e are talking about that context. We have enough hostility and agression in our lives, in overcrowded streets, and 4x4s with thier consciously full-on 'I will deal with anything in my path' styling is a step we don't need.
Plus the fact that they represent something with a specification way beyond what anyone in an urban environment needs (with rare exceptions). A small or medium people carrier answers most of the requirements often quoted by 4x4 owners. So the chunky rugged look and image becomes even more glaringly the reason.
And if you buy something because you like it's image, don't be surprised if someone else finds it intimidating and reacts badly against it.
None of this (of course) is a justification with rudeness / abuse against individuals. But likewise, 4x4 drivers who two horses, live up mpountains etc, needen't take it personally when urban dwellers deride the fact that 4x4s block narrow streets more than other cars, and people simply don't like it!