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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To irrationally resent SUVs ?

408 replies

SavoirFlair · 30/01/2023 09:09

For those who have impossibly avoided the term, I’m talking about “fake 4x4s.”

A car that would have been a hatchback a dozen years ago, but is now wider, higher up, with fake 4x4 styling (flared wheel arches, roof rails, big plastic moulding).

I can’t stand them.

As someone who has owned two generations of Range Rovers when we lived off a track a mile or so from the main road, I realise people are free to lob back at me. but those cars had a purpose. We wanted to be comfortable; but we absolutely needed the traction and clearance that vehicle gave us.

Does anyone need what a Grandland X offers? A Mokka? (Jesus save me from that awful car. Worst on sale today - just buy a Corsa and stop being previous). Who needs a Sportage or a Qashqai? (the hallmarks of the aspiring, when years ago a Focus or a Golf would have done just fine).

The worst offenders for me are actually the so called luxury ones. BMW X5 is an abomination - can’t do anything off road, is massively wide on road, and two mums at our school park terribly with them and block the road for the other direction.

And that’s the thing - a large segment of folk who own them, can’t drive them properly. I go to the hospital car park twice weekly with my DD. If someone is careless (often are) and parks close to or on the white line… renders the next space completely useless. Which when hunting for the one or two spaces available for my vulnerable DD, can be infuriating.

We don’t need these things, but I get people love them for

• being “high up” (still doesn’t make the drivers any better at driving)

• Being “high up” to load DCs and allow elderly parents to get in and out without bending back

• some of them have a big boot

Ok, but my answer to all these three is..

an MPV. Cars like the Ford Galaxy, S Max, Touran, Alhambra - all high up seating, easy to get in and out of, massive boots.

But no.. the truth is fashion. Why buy a Corsa when you have a jacked up version. Why buy a 5 series when you can have an X5 and dominate the school run.

Meanwhile the greater fuel consumption, the materials cost to make the thing …

AIBU to irrationally hate these stupid wide massive things?

OP posts:
JudesBiggestFan · 30/01/2023 11:00

I had no intention of getting an SUV when we bought our new car last year. However, with three kids, two in car seats, options are actually really limited. We had a Citroen grand Picasso before but found the electrics a nightmare and there are very few other mpvs now - they seem out of fashion.
We looked at a really long Skoda estate car, but it was mega money and would have been a nightmare to parallel park.
So ended up with a Honda CR-V on cost, reliability and size grounds - it was one of the only cars the kids fitted comfortably in. I much prefer my little Yaris, but options really are limited with three kids...you can only go with what the market actually offers!

Original poster
SavoirFlair · 30/01/2023 11:04

JudesBiggestFan · 30/01/2023 11:00

I had no intention of getting an SUV when we bought our new car last year. However, with three kids, two in car seats, options are actually really limited. We had a Citroen grand Picasso before but found the electrics a nightmare and there are very few other mpvs now - they seem out of fashion.
We looked at a really long Skoda estate car, but it was mega money and would have been a nightmare to parallel park.
So ended up with a Honda CR-V on cost, reliability and size grounds - it was one of the only cars the kids fitted comfortably in. I much prefer my little Yaris, but options really are limited with three kids...you can only go with what the market actually offers!

Did the market not also offer

• Ford Galaxy (seats 3 kids across)
• Seat Alhambra (again seats 3 comfortably)
• Volkswagen Touran

etc?

OP posts:
JusteanBiscuits · 30/01/2023 11:07

I live in London. The number of our neighbours who have massive SUV's is utterly ridiculous! And not the families with kids doing multiple sports, or travelling long distances. My neighbour has an outlander, yet rarely drives outside of London in it. Maybe once a year to an air bnb in the countryside. It's utterly ridiculous. But these are all relatively new so are fine in the ULEZ. I really fail to understand the number of huge range rovers in our area!

Paq · 30/01/2023 11:07

I agree with every word OP. And I would add that they massive BMW wankers drive in the middle of the country lanes here in Cornwall because they don't want their precious car scratched, making it even more dangerous for everyone else.

YourWinter · 30/01/2023 11:08

I had an old Discovery when I was towing a horse trailer several times a week. I loved the square shape, I could see all four corners and that made it really easy to park. I also live down a farm track and when it’s really wet I’ve sometimes had to be towed out to the road in smaller cars.

Now I need to change my Kia Ceed estate to something that will fit three child seats for my grandsons, plus two dogs and a double buggy. Sorry OP but a Golf-sized hatchback won’t do!

Frabbits · 30/01/2023 11:10

SavoirFlair · 30/01/2023 11:04

Did the market not also offer

• Ford Galaxy (seats 3 kids across)
• Seat Alhambra (again seats 3 comfortably)
• Volkswagen Touran

etc?

Show quote history

The galaxy and alhambra are both larger than the CR-V.

So... yeah.

HelloBambinos · 30/01/2023 11:11

cadburyegg · 30/01/2023 10:53

Lol I have a fake SUV. Skoda Karoq. I bought it because it's comfortable to drive and I needed space for the kids. I used to have an Astra and it cost £100 to fill up a tank, the Karoq only costs £70, for the same size tank, so it's much more fuel efficient. A lot of newer cars are more fuel efficient than older ones. I can park it perfectly well, better than my Astra, because I'm sat higher up and it has parking sensors. A good driver will be able to drive any car. I don't get the outrage about cars on MN. Let people drive what they want!

I've just got one too! I love it. Out of all the cars it's the only one comfortable enough and at the right height for me with my disabilities and as you said it has space for the kids :) I hated car rides previously as my pelvis and lower back would become so uncomfortable but this car has been a complete game changer. Also the lower cost to fill is definitely a bonus. Parking is easy with the karoq for the reasons you describe and I agree with your point that a good driver will be able to drive any car whether an SUV or otherwise, so I don't see the need for complete and utter outrage at anyone who dares to drive one without a 'good enough' rationale.

xogossipgirlxo · 30/01/2023 11:14

Frabbits · 30/01/2023 11:10

The galaxy and alhambra are both larger than the CR-V.

So... yeah.

Show quote history

Also, they're ugly.

Slowingdownagain · 30/01/2023 11:17

I can't help but think that a lot of this SUV hate is just jumping on a bandwagon for chelsea tractor hate, and grouping all SUVs/ crossovers etc in one big group, without actually looking at the reality of the market and what it offers.

OP hates SUVs because they are big, inefficient and bad for the enviroment, but recommends MPVs which are often bigger and less efficient than SUVs (espeically newer ones). OP hates SUVs becuase people can't drive them despite lots of people saying they find them easier to drive than smaller, lower cars (and the fact there are shit drivers in all types of cars).

Not all SUVs are huge big range rovers (although the OP likes those for herself because they are comfortable), and many are increasingly efficient.

Frabbits · 30/01/2023 11:20

xogossipgirlxo · 30/01/2023 11:14

Also, they're ugly.

Show quote history

Most MPVS are fucking awful to drive too. I had a Renault Grand scenic as a hire car and it drove like an oil tanker on wheels. Shit fuel economy as well.

Catspyjamas17 · 30/01/2023 11:21

YABU. The shape of the car doesn't make it more polluting. And you can't get a large dog into a small hatchback.

I hate the big pointless gas guzzlers but not the overall shape, and many can be quite fuel efficient or fully electric. For one thing, my dad couldn't get into a small car after he has reduced mobilty in his hips, as they sit too low on the road. My mum has good mobility but still struggles getting into a small hatchback. SUVs seats are easier to get into for lots of people and sitting higher on the road means you can see what is coming over the hedges of winding country lanes!

Oakbeam · 30/01/2023 11:22

And I would add that they massive BMW wankers drive in the middle of the country lanes here in Cornwall because they don't want their precious car scratched,

Everybody drives in the middle of the road where I live regardless of what car they drive because the edges of the roads are full of potholes.

Lcb123 · 30/01/2023 11:22

I mean, I just hate cars. Resent that we own something that is such a killing machine (the planet and people).

JudgeJ · 30/01/2023 11:23

AnonWeeMouse · 30/01/2023 09:14

I think people should stick to cars the size of which they can handle.

Too many idiots go and buy big cars that they can't drive well. You see them in car parks, struggling to get their ridiculous vehicle into a space, making a 17 point turn to reverse into a spot and they still don't get it central leaving their passenger door so close to your door they evidently think Mrs Pencil Thin drives the car next to theirs.

It's not just SUVs though.
Estate drivers and drivers of those Sales Executive cars. They can't judge the size of the vehicle properly so it makes their lives harder just so they can Ponce about in car bigger than they need. TBF, the standard of driving seems to be so awful on the roads that I've given up my car, it isn't the pleasure it was 20 years ago.

Absolutely this, seeing the Chelski Tractors abandoned, not remotely parked, in a certain Waitrose car park in the way to North Norfolk in the summer is a constant source of amusement. I was once asked if I would move to another parking bay so she could pull through and remove the need to reverse out later as she found it difficult to manoeuvre in small areas.

Catspyjamas17 · 30/01/2023 11:24

SavoirFlair · 30/01/2023 11:04

Did the market not also offer

• Ford Galaxy (seats 3 kids across)
• Seat Alhambra (again seats 3 comfortably)
• Volkswagen Touran

etc?

Show quote history

What's your probelm with the Honda CR-V? Surely the fuel efficiency is about the same as the other cars you cite? Or maybe better. It's not like they went oh fuck it and bought an 8 litre supercar instead.

containsnuts · 30/01/2023 11:25

I do find those huge BMW 'monster trucks' with the wheels about a foot wide a bit excessive for city driving. What's the concept? Private jet meets tractor? Must cost a fortune just to replace a tyre. On the other hand, I'm hoping to get a Mokka. A bit higher up and more spacious but without being too imposing.

QuertyGirl · 30/01/2023 11:25

Lcb123 · 30/01/2023 11:22

I mean, I just hate cars. Resent that we own something that is such a killing machine (the planet and people).

People can't see beyond them

moonbows · 30/01/2023 11:25

As others have said, this is rational not irrational!!

Catspyjamas17 · 30/01/2023 11:27

Actually our Tiguan was easier to reverse park than the Ibiza we have now (swapped to smaller car because of young driver in household) because of all the built in parking aides.

All the people I see faffing about in parking spaces and not knowing the width/length of their car are in Toyota Yaris and the like.

Neededanewuserhandle · 30/01/2023 11:27

cadburyegg · 30/01/2023 10:53

Lol I have a fake SUV. Skoda Karoq. I bought it because it's comfortable to drive and I needed space for the kids. I used to have an Astra and it cost £100 to fill up a tank, the Karoq only costs £70, for the same size tank, so it's much more fuel efficient. A lot of newer cars are more fuel efficient than older ones. I can park it perfectly well, better than my Astra, because I'm sat higher up and it has parking sensors. A good driver will be able to drive any car. I don't get the outrage about cars on MN. Let people drive what they want!

I used to have an Astra and it cost £100 to fill up a tank, the Karoq only costs £70, for the same size tank
Eh? What miracle of fuel discounting have you devised here?

Picklypickles · 30/01/2023 11:27

Slowingdownagain · 30/01/2023 10:38

Oh for godness sake, can you not just take it at face value that I found it tricky to see out of a car because I was lower? Why do you find it so important to undermine or disprove that particular experience of mine? It's really quite odd and has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Show quote history

I don't have any problem with BMW's! I have a problem with people saying that they need to be high up or they can't see, I find that really worrying, especially as a short person who is often not seen by people driving those high up cars! Your choice of car doesn't have anything to do with me personally no, but every day the choices that other drivers of these kinds of cars make DOES impact me and other road users, that's why I get annoyed and why I don't like the amount of oversized vehicles on the road. The bullying of other road users, the abysmal parking and blocking of roads and pavements and the inability to reverse a few feet in a straight line forcing me to reverse a mile around corners etc! Most of all its the bullying I hate, the self-important expectation that all other road users must make way for their massive cars. I find the excuses people make for needing these types of car are often nonsense, they just don't want to admit that their choice of car is more about status and "keeping up with the Joneses" then it is practicality.

Catspyjamas17 · 30/01/2023 11:30

Cars generally are an issue, I accept that. We really all need to be walking, cycling, or pootling about in little 20mph max simple golf buggy type things for short journeys, only using hired pool cars for longer journeys but we aren't at that stage, and the car industry will lobby hard to never allow it. Therefore people buy cars of a shape that suits them.

xogossipgirlxo · 30/01/2023 11:30

Catspyjamas17 · 30/01/2023 11:27

Actually our Tiguan was easier to reverse park than the Ibiza we have now (swapped to smaller car because of young driver in household) because of all the built in parking aides.

All the people I see faffing about in parking spaces and not knowing the width/length of their car are in Toyota Yaris and the like.

Oh, Tiguans are great for maneuvering. They're very well constructed, much much better than estates which are only longer version of standard cars, where nothing else was adjusted. And they're really comfortable to drive. Actually sensors and camera in our Tiguan are down, and none of us CBA to fix it (my husband MIGHT do it in the Spring 😂), and it's still easy to park, reverse, you will fit everywhere.

Catspyjamas17 · 30/01/2023 11:31

xogossipgirlxo · 30/01/2023 11:30

Oh, Tiguans are great for maneuvering. They're very well constructed, much much better than estates which are only longer version of standard cars, where nothing else was adjusted. And they're really comfortable to drive. Actually sensors and camera in our Tiguan are down, and none of us CBA to fix it (my husband MIGHT do it in the Spring 😂), and it's still easy to park, reverse, you will fit everywhere.

Show quote history

And also if you park it next to a Range Rover or Porsche SUV, you realise what a completely reasonable size they are!

LaFemmeDamnee · 30/01/2023 11:32

It's always the drivers of massive SUVs that are far too busy to park in the car park outside of school and walk up, and instead choose to park on the zigzags right outside the gates blocking the whole footpath with the enormous doors while they offload their kids. Not saying it's only SUV drivers (oversized Minis do this a lot too) or all SUV drivers, but they do stand out as being disproportionately inconsiderate.