Why are SUV's so popular?????

[plonky]

As an Australian (and a professional driver) I cannot fathom why SUV's (4WD's and cab chassis utes) are so popular.

I've driven them before (Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Ford F150 V8, Range Rover, Land Rover etc) and apart from being higher off the ground, they have all the dynamics of a 1950's Volkswagen.

They don't handle, don't stop, they use heaps of fuel and are unsafe in accidents. The interior space is about the same as a passenger sedan and the cargo area holds a bit more than a car boot.

The only think I could think of is the fact that for some unknown reason, most passenger cars in the States are front wheel drive (uhh) and people don't like big cars in front wheel drive. I think the engine options for SUV's are a lot better than in the passenger cars.

In Australia, both Ford and GM Holden wouldn't be that dumb to offer a front wheel drive large sedan. The consumer would hate it. Both the Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore are rear wheel drive, with both inline 6 and V8 options (5.7 litre LS1 in the Holden and 5.4 Litre DOHC 32 Valve in the Ford)

The 6 Cylinder cars offer between 205 hp (Holden) to 275hp (Ford) and the 5.7 Gen 3 has 310hp (Holden) and 350hp (Ford) as the STANDARD option motor. Both manufacturers have options of the 400 HP Callaway engine and a 400 HP Ford engine (both naturally aspirated)

No wonder Daimler Chrysler is desperate for a large rear wheel drive sedan to place on the Australian market. Hopefully it will have the Hemi V8 option and a Mercedes 6 cylinder.

This would have to be the only reason why SUV's have to be more popular than a good handling and powerful sedan. Both the Lumina and the Crown Victoria are PIG UGLY but it appears that Police Forces won't use anything unless it is big and is rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive is a shocker for high speed Police work!!!

[GUAM_SS/T]

I got a Durango because it dies snow heavily and sometimes often here in South Dakota. I have a family of 5 and the Durango can seat 5 with lots of cargo room or 7 with a little cargo room. For me it suits my needs better than anything else.

As for the couple with one child who own a cadillac escalade or some other big SUV and live in a warm climate in a big city. That's just pointless if you ask me.

I think a lot of people feel safe because it is big.

[plonky]

I apologise if anyone is offended by my question. I understand the need for that type of vehicle, especially in the country (that's where I live now)

I just can't understand that for a country that has built some great BIG cars (with RWD) why urban dwellers choose to drive SUV's.

As I said the only thing I could put it down to is that the large car market has bugger all to recommend it and consumers choose SUV's because they have REAL MOTORS and are Rear Wheel Drive!

I still think the dynamics of those types of car (truck?) leave a lot to be desired. The Ford Explorer, The Chev Suburban and the Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee are bloody dangerous around corners, won't stop and drink fuel like an alcohol peasant!

There has been a suggestion from some people in the Sydney metropolitan area that SUV's be banned. Now I don't agree with that, but I do think a lot of wankers in the city that drive these things only do it because they like being high up off the ground to see over the traffic jams.

[Ericmopar]

I know that not everyone who drives an SUV. is a jerk, but here in this part of California, they are clearly the "weapon of choice."
It's so common to see SUV.s tailgating, flashing high beams and cutting people off, that my friends and family notice when a SUV. isn't driving aggressively. When I see multiple vehicles running a red light, during the rush hour, it's almost allways, SUV. drivers, at the back of the pack.
We don't have snow around here and gas is expensive.
The makers of the "personal tank" know the aggressive driver is their market and show commercials on T.V., of Cadillac Escalades driving the wrong way through packs of cars on the road.
I just saw an advertisement in a magazine for the new Cadillac Escalade 500 hp. V-12. It's going to do zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in less than 6 seconds.
I think its time for government regulation, even though I don't really like government intervention.


Ericmopar,

[mpbiv]

IMHO it doesn't have much to do with engine package and drivetrain. Over here in the states there are also FWD SUV's and people buy them just the same, granted they aren't quite as big as the Suburbans, Excursions, and Expeditions so they don't bring the same status. In my eyes there are two major reasons why they are so popular: 1) False sense of safety 2) Status symbols.

And as mentioned before a noticeable amount of SUV drivers think they are behind the wheel of a formula car and drive with maybe a little more reckless abandon than the average Joe. Some of them like to also drive like they own the road, just the other night an excursion pulled into the center median from a side road leaving his backend sticking halfway into my lane, pretty much bringing me to a dead stop from 50mph on a busy highway with several other cars behind me. That was nothing compared to over the summer, a SUV driver rolled into my rear end at a stop sign because he was apparently so close that he couldn't see my tail lights. I guess in that sense I am a little biased.

Maybe some sort of special certification would be nice. I'd be all for it if it worked even the slightest amount.

[GUAM_SS/T]

I like my Durango because it's big enough for what I need without being overly large. I have also gotten the rearend sideways on dry pavement several times and it doesn't feel like it wants to roll over and play dead. My favorite Utility vehicle has to be the old Grand Wagoneers though.

[dwc43]

I have an older Ramcharger 4x4. It's a truck not an suv. It has a ladder frame under it and I dont consider it an suv. Most all suv's are based off of car chassis.
As for you saying there not safe yopu could not be more wrong. I hit a deer one night doing 65. Ran over it and pulled to the side. I saw a gmc van pull over. I'm thinking nice people still exsist and he's going to check on me. Wrong, he hit the other deer that jumped out from behind me. I drove home with just a bent bumper,broke grill,missing k c light cover and one bracket broke on the grill guard. The gmc got towed. Safety is there.
What I use it for? Pull race cars (pits are sometimes muddy fields), parts,tools,people to the tracks. Great in snow.
I will agree on the fuel milage thing though. I best 12 mpg with my 360 4 spd.

[bob9620]

SUV's are usually more practical than a car as far as carrying capacity, towing and they perform better in bad weather. Just mu opinion...

[J-440]

Ever notice some of the drivers in SUV's? The smaller the woman, the bigger the ride. Oh, and don't forget the cell phone. They jump from a mid-size passenger car and buy a tank then get a cell-phone and think they know how to operate one of these things.
Saw a guy at a gas station about 2 years ago when gas was only a $1.85 during that little stint that OPEC pulled. Driving a $55,000 Cadi Escallade bitching about how high the price of gas was!!
Funny how some Americans will pay $2.00 for a bottled water but start bitchin when gas prices go over a buck thirty!!


J-440

[dr.crypto]

Noticed quite a bit of bitching about SUV's out here in the Peoples Republic of California, but for my two cents work half the idiots in this state should be restricted to riding the bus and the other half need mandatory drivers education!! I agree with just about everyone that vehicles in this state are weapons and not modes of transportation. I live on I-15 and travel to Vegas fairly often, accidents with injuries and fatalities are a common occurrance.
My point is that just like guns, automobiles are TOOLS! If PEOPLE fail to use them wisely or at least with common sense then they are going to be dangerous.

I own a big giant Suburban because I use it to tow my show car as well as have the room to tote around 7 kids. (Hers, Mine and 1 Grandchild.) You are forgetting that I also pay higher insurance premiums, higher taxes and I pay for more gas that I choose to use, therfore I plan my trips wisely. I also pay more for repairs when necessary. My owning a vehicle like this is not infringing on anyone owning Honda Civic with a $10,000 stereo and a loud as hell fart cannon. If you want to legislate something, how about better enforcement of the noise pollution laws?

I disagree about more legislation, this state is determined to have the Democratics enforce and control every aspect of our lives. New laws are enacted everyday that absolutely make no sense, and old laws just aren't enforced except when it is convenient.

I fell better now. Time for more Prozac!!

Later,
Dave

[dwc43]

Originally posted by RP Racing-#940




Theres a BIG difference between your Ramcharger (is a SUV according to DOT's def) and the new ones. Yours was built for WORK, not for a smooth ride, easy to get into or whatever else Yuppies want in their 'trucks'. Look at the latest fad, crew cab MICRO bed trucks. What a joke. 4-5' beds? Just buy a frickeen minivan then. At least Nissan got smart and now is offering a 6' box at least.

As for perfoming better in weather conditions? Not really. Wheni had my old Sonoma 4X4, after a good snowfall guess how many of the usual 10-15 cars in the ditch on the way to work I saw were SUV's (and 4X4's)? Most of them. Hell SUV's dont even come with GOOD TIRES anymore. Got to use a car style tire for that all important "smooth ride". Durangos I do like, but totally impractical for me. Cant toos my racing tool box in teh back or haul 4X8 ply sheets in it. Cant toss a motorcycle in the back of it if need be.

I know d o t thinks it's an suv , but in most peoples minds this is still a truck. And can do the job of a truck.
I agree those funny looking things they pass for 4 dr truck car combos are a joke to see.
I also agree about the tires. The factory never puts the right size tires needed on these things. I run a 10 inch wheel with 32 x 11.5 r lt 15's. It handles much better. Almost car like. It does not ride rough either. I installed the right shocks which the factories mess up too. I run Rancho 9000's. Fully adjustable. I can change between 5 settings depending on what I need my truck to do. They are great.
I dont agree about the weather though. It's also not just the truck, but the driver in those bad conditions. I drove a semi for a little over a year one time and it will change your whole perspective on driving.

[dwc43]

Originally posted by RP Racing-#940


I call SUV's trucks too. But here in cheeseland it cost ME more to register a $8K 2wd dakota then some idiot with a $100K H1 Hummer. Silly huh? SUV's here are tagged as CARS and not trucks like they should be.

They figure out a way to stick it to you ever time dont they. They keep trying to get a wheel tax sticker started here, but in the end we all get to vote on it so it never passes. Are they dumb or what. Like we'd ever vote a tax in on ourselves. It's never even been close to going through. Even the state tries to get an income tax voted in. That may happen though someday I'm afraid. They want it 'cause it's easier to raise it if they want to than voting on sales tax increases.
O well, I vented and I think I'm ok now. I dont call those little car like things suv's. They cant do what a real truck can do.

[Frank]

I think some people drive SUV's because the need the extra room for their families.
I think some people drive SUV's because of the safety factor (real or not).
I think some people drive SUV's rather than mini-vans.
I think some people drive SUV's because they like the feel of a V8 in a full size vehicle.
I think some people drive SUV's because they live off the beaten path, and a car just won't cut it.
BUT, I think most people who drive SUV's do so because they're TRENDY.

Just my opinion, and my $0.02.

[GaryS]

Some people drive SUV's because they are practical for their particular situation. In rural snow country, they work well. Those same folks drove IHC Scouts and AMC Wagoneers and Eagles when they were still made.

Most drive them for the same reason they drive nails through their privates, allow someone to use a dirty needle to sketch barbed wire around their arms or listen to really bad music; they are sheep and would rather go through pain and expense to prove they are not individuals.

[Stoga]

To me, a SUV is really just a station wagon body added to a truck frame and cab. The problem comes in when someone attempts to drive one of these like a station wagon, instead of the truck that it is! I'm considering an SUV purchase in the next year, or a quad/crew cab Ram, 2500 series or higher. I really like the Durango, but I'm going to be towing a 5400 lb Imperial at some point so will need something with enough guts to tow a load of that size plus trailer. Whatever I get, I expect to end up with a fairly large truck. I see people wrecking these SUV's and I think it's because these people are just not used to driving large vehicles. If you toss someone the keys to a 3/4 ton or larger truck to someone who has only driven economy cars or imports, they are most likely, completely unfamiliar with how a vehicle of that size handles.
But, at least with a truck, it's different enough that people are more cautious. You put a newbie in an SUV, and it feels just like their regular car to them. Problem is, they get in a bad situation, and it doesn't handle or stop like car. And if they can't handle a truck in a bad situation, you can't expect them to handle an SUV either.
If I didn't need a vehicle of large capacity, I wouldn't buy an SUV or large truck.
I think most folks who buy them, shouldn't. And people putting passenger car tires on SUVs are just making the situation worse. At least they should be given some driving instructions in large vehicles so they don't expect their
Expedition /Surburban / Whatever to act or drive like their old family sedan or subcompact.

[onaprwl]

I agree with most everyone above. They are gas guslers, but you are much safer being hit in a SUV by a P/U than in a car being hit by a P/U. I know, I just hit a Pontiac with my F250 superduty that pulled in front of me. Car destroyed people in hospital very little lower damage to my truck under the bumper. Saw exact same accident that evening. Car ran red light and hit SUV in side. Driver of SUV not hurt some lower door damage(maybe more I didn't see) car totally destroyed. My wife has always loved trucks and when the first, Socalled SUV came out, the ford bronco she has had one ever since.She has had about 4 different kinds since then and I just got her a Hummer2. They say one thing you never want to do with a Hummer is.......RUN IN TO IT. The only thing more solid that moves would be a tank. So I gave up a little gas mileage for safety. As far as how people drive wiping back and forth in them like a race car, they say the car doesn't make the driver, they are probally already fools but the fact that they feel a lot safer in the SUV causes them to drive MAYBE a little less causious.

[DavidRo]

I also have an '01 Durango (wife's). Our Durango is definately not as bis as an Expedition or a Suburban. But for us it serves a purpose that a full size sedan couldn't. We had a full size sedan before the Durango. Whether we were getting groceries or going on vacation, with our 2 kids in the backseat it was hard to fit everything in the trunk. We usually ended up packing "stuff" around the kids feet. With our Durango the kids sit in the second seat, the third seat lays flat and that leaves plenty of room for luggage, groceries, etc. Not to mention we can haul 6 people comfortably vs. 4 in the sedan. So for us it's more of a convenience thing although I do like the look of our Durango. My .02.