A proper diesel estate car like an MB E220d has a more usable cargo area than the typical SUV, rides comfortably and efficiently on the highway consuming less than 5 liters per 100 kilometers (fuel tank range is over 1200 kilometers), and has state-of-the-art safety technologies. In comparison, a SUV just gives you that extra confidence that no matter the weather conditions, you'll make it to your end destination because of the increased ride height, bigger tyres and 4WD systems. For most people that may be 2 or 3 days during the year, and the rest of the time they are paying dearly for this inefficiency.
I'm a huge fan of sports cars and cars that just plainly handle better on flat roads, but having a sports car that I truly enjoy driving versus my other car (a decent, recent SUV), the advantages with SUVs pretty quickly become apparent.
- Smoother ride over worse roads, especially under-maintained roads
- An extension of that point: more travel options. Dirt road? Sure, and the SUV probably won't get as dirty. Gravel? I can probably take it without worrying. Need to clear a curb? Doable.
- Better visibility, and that's even after factoring in everyone buying an SUV
- Marginal efficiency hit (like 10-15%), which most people ignore with electric SUVs anyway, but even with gas or diesel it's just not enough to stop people from buying anymore compared to when SUVs truly guzzled gas. As an example, I had a BMW from a number of years ago that my SUV today outpaces in average gas mileage despite unchanged driving habits and better engine output as well as increased weight for the SUV. People are essentially offsetting engine efficiency gains by buying more car.
- More car to absorb impact in the event of a crash.
I can see why people buy them even before egos start to get involved around just how big the cars can be.
Ah true, but as someone that might buy a (used) car in the next few years: trendiness & freshness do play into this as estate cars do lose points in my book for their "old-school" look as it was the type of car people had when I was a kid (and I am nearly 40).
So that together with the higher ride height, which makes getting kids in and out easier and almost no extra cost makes the SUV more likely to win than a similarly specced estate.
(and please keep in mind a "SUV" in Europe is not really the same as "SUV" in the states).
Or you use the SUV to carry your kids and stuff around. An SUV is bigger and more comfortable than most cars.
- Easier to fit car seats and people in
- Seats 8 (as opposed to 5) on the rare occasion that you want to
- Has four wheel drive, so handles better in the snow
- Has a trailer hitch for your bike rack, which is more convenient than trunk mounted ones.
- A roof rack for sheet goods
- Enough cargo space for suitcases, moving, or a trip to the home center
You can get by with a smaller car, but the SUV form factor provides lots of capability, which is nice to have whenever you want it.
I've got one sedan (an Accord) and an SUV (a Pilot), both have their place.
Most SUVs are intentionally just taller hatchbacks. They're maybe a couple mpg less fuel efficient than a similar sedan, but in return you get a more comfortable feeling car.
I don't think there's a very complicated question to answer - SUVs are sooo much more comfortable to get into and drive than regular cars that it's not a surprise they have become the default vehicle type for many people. I'm only 29 and having developed some joint problems I'm now buying an SUV for myself, purely because getting into a regular sedan/estate is a bit of a struggle, but getting into an SUV isn't. The same applies to the driving position - even in the uber-luxury saloon like the Mercedes E class the fact that you're sitting much lower puts a lot of strain on my legs, but sitting with my back higher up in something like the LR Discovery makes driving much easier.
I'm trying to offset the emissions aspect by buying a plug-in hybrid SUV - so at least my plan is to do 100% work commute on electric power alone.
This is an absolutely crazy response. In no world is a 15 year old economy sedan more comfortable for a highway commute than a newer SUV. The only argument you could make is fuel economy.
> There's no reason to buy a sedan when on the same footprint you can get an SUV with more room.
This is a popular opinion, but there are still advantages to a sedan. e.g. driving dynamics, weight and aerodynamics and therefore fuel economy, price, etc.
It's just that many buyers don't prioritize these things.
Well, I recently switched from a sedan to an SUV, so let me help:
1. There are rows of SUVs parked at most residential intersections. This way I can actually see what's going on at the intersection, and if I can safely enter it.
2. Less headlight-in-eyes issues.
3. More storage capacity in the trunk. Yay! I don't live in Madrid or London; I can't just stop by the nice little corner store on my way home and get fresh produce. I have to do trips to Costco and haul back a supply. This makes a big difference.
4. More room for fitting the kid's car seat in the back. Since car seats in close proximity to a driver's seat are dangerous (if they should impact during an, uh, impact), this is safer.
5. Better stability in our regional weather.
That's why I switched. Please be so kind as not to eat the serpent's tail: I don't care that if fewer people bought SUVs 1 and 2 would be irrelevant. I care that they -do- buy SUVs and this is my safety-oriented response to that reality.
My fiancee inherited an SUV when her parents moved back to their country of origin, and it really is much better than my compact sedan for moving furniture.
If you compare an european style SUV with a sedan / station wagon with similar interior volume, you will notice that the SUV is shorter, and thus easier to park, offers better visibility to the driver, feels roomier, and while less aerodynamic, is actually lighter, so there’s not much increased fuel consumption. Those are reasons why consumers might prefer those types of cars.
SUVs have bigger tires, and thus better grip. Much better snow clearance too.
Also, my parents both axels on their cars two times from winter pot holes.
Cars can be made cheaper, and it really shows. Budget car vs Budget SUV, It's not even close.
Also, electric battery range almost halves in cold weather.
An SUV typically handles better than (and is cooler looking than) a van, yet will still comfortably carry a family if that’s your life. Older folks with creaky joints like the height, so they don’t have to crouch into a sedan with its lower seats.
I don't know man SUVs might be more practical. But, I find them to look boring and for all old people. Sedans and hatchbacks definitely have a more fun look to them.
There is little justification in the modern world for driving a SUV.
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