Can someone explain to me the explosion in SUVs on UK roads?
Discussion
Genuine question and not trolling or looking to cause offence -
I'm a 36 year old driver, I like my cars, and when it comes to vehicles and personal taste, my view is if you like it, drive it etc. I'd have to say that considering I'm the owner of a petrol X type!
However I cannot for the life of me understand why every second new vehicle I see out there is a 2 wheel drive, 4x4 bodied car, and this often from a marque which has no history of or pedigree in making these cars.
My question is honest and simple. How did the nation's taste change so rapidly over the last ten years, to the point where we now have roads filled with cars that are
- Bigger on the outside
- Much wider than before
- The same room or more compromised on the inside
- Two wheel drive, so offering none of the benefits of the vehicle it's peacocking as
- Worse fuel consumption than an equivalent hatchback, saloon or estate
To try and convince myself, I've been looking around at boot sizes to see if maybe that's the thing. Yet a good estate car such as a Skoda Octavia often has more cubic volume.
Then I thought it might be interior space or something, yet my friend's X3 and my neighbour's Tiguan don't seem particularly spacious inside any more than a 3 series or a Golf would be.
So my only conclusion is that this must be a class thing or something? That to some (I stress, not all!) people, having a saloon car or hatchback is just not cutting it at the school gates or in the car park at work, and that the image of an 'adventure' car is everything?
I've heard the justifications. That the additional ride height makes it "easier to take out baby seats". That they like the "ride quality" of the car. That they need it to take items to the tip....but I still don't understand this. Please enlighten me!
(Disclaimer, I am not anti-4x4. Cars I would happily own in this order are Land Rover Range Rover (Classic & L322), Toyota Land Cruiser (80 and 100 series), Discovery I and II, Series III and Defender, and a G Wagen. I'd love them all to be honest.)
I'm a 36 year old driver, I like my cars, and when it comes to vehicles and personal taste, my view is if you like it, drive it etc. I'd have to say that considering I'm the owner of a petrol X type!
However I cannot for the life of me understand why every second new vehicle I see out there is a 2 wheel drive, 4x4 bodied car, and this often from a marque which has no history of or pedigree in making these cars.
My question is honest and simple. How did the nation's taste change so rapidly over the last ten years, to the point where we now have roads filled with cars that are
- Bigger on the outside
- Much wider than before
- The same room or more compromised on the inside
- Two wheel drive, so offering none of the benefits of the vehicle it's peacocking as
- Worse fuel consumption than an equivalent hatchback, saloon or estate
To try and convince myself, I've been looking around at boot sizes to see if maybe that's the thing. Yet a good estate car such as a Skoda Octavia often has more cubic volume.
Then I thought it might be interior space or something, yet my friend's X3 and my neighbour's Tiguan don't seem particularly spacious inside any more than a 3 series or a Golf would be.
So my only conclusion is that this must be a class thing or something? That to some (I stress, not all!) people, having a saloon car or hatchback is just not cutting it at the school gates or in the car park at work, and that the image of an 'adventure' car is everything?
I've heard the justifications. That the additional ride height makes it "easier to take out baby seats". That they like the "ride quality" of the car. That they need it to take items to the tip....but I still don't understand this. Please enlighten me!
(Disclaimer, I am not anti-4x4. Cars I would happily own in this order are Land Rover Range Rover (Classic & L322), Toyota Land Cruiser (80 and 100 series), Discovery I and II, Series III and Defender, and a G Wagen. I'd love them all to be honest.)
IMO it's 3 things:
1- Inherited "premiumness" from expensive 4x4s - they feel like they've got a 4x4 like that posh Range Rover/Cayenne/X5 etc etc which they covet.
2- Increased visibility of the road ahead. Ladies especially seem to love this, making them feel less vulnerable from being low down (note it's a self-reinforcing effect as more people drive a 4x4 rather than standard height car)
3- The perception that they "need" something more capable in winter than a normal car, despite not really having AWD or any credentials as such, or the weather to trouble any car lately, they want the big tough off-roader for self confidence.
1- Inherited "premiumness" from expensive 4x4s - they feel like they've got a 4x4 like that posh Range Rover/Cayenne/X5 etc etc which they covet.
2- Increased visibility of the road ahead. Ladies especially seem to love this, making them feel less vulnerable from being low down (note it's a self-reinforcing effect as more people drive a 4x4 rather than standard height car)
3- The perception that they "need" something more capable in winter than a normal car, despite not really having AWD or any credentials as such, or the weather to trouble any car lately, they want the big tough off-roader for self confidence.
Higher ride position leads to improved visibility, a feeling of greater security, it's easier to get in and out (more relevant for older folk or those with mobility issues) and as you mentioned, the ride quality can be better on our terrible roads.
I don't own one myself, just observations from being a passenger in a mate's Range Rover Sport. I appreciate this is a "proper" SUV, but those same benefits listed above apply to the "soft-roaders" such as Kuga and Qashqai just the same.
I don't own one myself, just observations from being a passenger in a mate's Range Rover Sport. I appreciate this is a "proper" SUV, but those same benefits listed above apply to the "soft-roaders" such as Kuga and Qashqai just the same.
I don't have one. However, I have heard from people with children that the height of the seats really do help with unloading heavy baby seats and child, especially if you have back problems. And I myself know that an elevated driving position is a nice thing, from having had a Defender for years.
So whilst I am sure there are aspirational elements to owning one, I think there are benefits too.
I would rather have a fast estate than an SUV, but aren't going to needlessly judge people who make choices different to my own...
So whilst I am sure there are aspirational elements to owning one, I think there are benefits too.
I would rather have a fast estate than an SUV, but aren't going to needlessly judge people who make choices different to my own...
Krikkit said:
IMO it's 3 things:
1- Inherited "premiumness" from expensive 4x4s - they feel like they've got a 4x4 like that posh Range Rover/Cayenne/X5 etc etc which they covet.
2- Increased visibility of the road ahead. Ladies especially seem to love this, making them feel less vulnerable from being low down (note it's a self-reinforcing effect as more people drive a 4x4 rather than standard height car)
3- The perception that they "need" something more capable in winter than a normal car, despite not really having AWD or any credentials as such, or the weather to trouble any car lately, they want the big tough off-roader for self confidence.
Plus "safer innit" and the roads just keep getting worse and worse in this country so a perception that this type of vehicle can deal better with pot holes.1- Inherited "premiumness" from expensive 4x4s - they feel like they've got a 4x4 like that posh Range Rover/Cayenne/X5 etc etc which they covet.
2- Increased visibility of the road ahead. Ladies especially seem to love this, making them feel less vulnerable from being low down (note it's a self-reinforcing effect as more people drive a 4x4 rather than standard height car)
3- The perception that they "need" something more capable in winter than a normal car, despite not really having AWD or any credentials as such, or the weather to trouble any car lately, they want the big tough off-roader for self confidence.
chryslerben said:
Plus "safer innit" and the roads just keep getting worse and worse in this country so a perception that this type of vehicle can deal better with pot holes.
Frankly, living in London which not only has potholes but also mountainous traffic calming measures, I can see the point of an SUV. I chinned the spoiler on a ZipCar Golf the other day on yet another of Lambeth's ridiculous speedbumps - a cooking, non-sporty family hatchback. Driving my own sports car in town is a painful experience now.A small, high car like a Skoda Yeti with a DSG box is an almost perfect city runabout.
Harry Flashman said:
However, I have heard from people with children that the height of the seats really do help with unloading heavy baby seats and child, especially if you have back problems.
The raised height will also delay the time when a toddler can climb in by themselves. This necessitates you lifting a heavier toddler from ground level for longer.The potholes thing is a good shout 
I know what people mean also about the ride height thing. I can imagine it gives some folk a feeling of greater security, feeling more planted on the road and can see ahead of them. Though surely if every second car on the road becomes an SUV, then we'll all need SUVs on stilts to get back the perceived advantage here?
My neighbour was telling me they're jacking in their Land Rover Discovery II (finally succumbed after all the bills). He said he needs 7 seats, I was suggesting S Max, Verso, the usual. He said "wife won't have anything other than a 4x4" despite us living in a tarmac-ed suburb, so that got me thinking about the segment and its popularity.
I know what people mean also about the ride height thing. I can imagine it gives some folk a feeling of greater security, feeling more planted on the road and can see ahead of them. Though surely if every second car on the road becomes an SUV, then we'll all need SUVs on stilts to get back the perceived advantage here?
My neighbour was telling me they're jacking in their Land Rover Discovery II (finally succumbed after all the bills). He said he needs 7 seats, I was suggesting S Max, Verso, the usual. He said "wife won't have anything other than a 4x4" despite us living in a tarmac-ed suburb, so that got me thinking about the segment and its popularity.
I think people look at SUVs and think they're more prestigious than a normal car, even though 99% of the time they offer literally no benefits to the owner at all.
My other half liked the Qashqai which she didn't need but liked the look of. Test drove it and realised it was overpriced, oversized for her needs and the Ford Focus she ended up buying drove a lot better!
Thing is people I work with know I'm a car nerd and I've been asked about what cars people would consider and all that. One colleague was looking for a car for a family of four, of course they ended up with an SUV but really couldn't see the benefit of it over a good sized hatchback or saloon.
My other half liked the Qashqai which she didn't need but liked the look of. Test drove it and realised it was overpriced, oversized for her needs and the Ford Focus she ended up buying drove a lot better!
Thing is people I work with know I'm a car nerd and I've been asked about what cars people would consider and all that. One colleague was looking for a car for a family of four, of course they ended up with an SUV but really couldn't see the benefit of it over a good sized hatchback or saloon.
Mercutio said:
- Bigger on the outside
- Much wider than before
- The same room or more compromised on the inside
Thing is, all cars have got bigger overall without increasing interior space. Isn't it all to do with improving side-impact protection and lowering NVH levels? - Much wider than before
- The same room or more compromised on the inside
The visibility thing is a funny one. Yes, you can see over more stuff that's ahead of you in a crossover, because you're sat higher up. But the visibility in every other direction has got far worse in all types of modern car, again because of crash protection, and crossovers are probably the worst of all for this.
People like to sit higher up for increased visibility and feeling of superiority.
People like to be able to get in and out of their cars, normal cars are fine if you're svelte and have the core strength and dexterity of a teenage gymnast (like me, ladeez) but most people buying new cars these days are 35+ and out of shape.
People feel like they're getting more car for their money - which in a way they are but not quite as much as they think.
People think they're getting trickle down kudos, they think their Quasquai is sort of just like a Range Rover really.
People like to be able to get in and out of their cars, normal cars are fine if you're svelte and have the core strength and dexterity of a teenage gymnast (like me, ladeez) but most people buying new cars these days are 35+ and out of shape.
People feel like they're getting more car for their money - which in a way they are but not quite as much as they think.
People think they're getting trickle down kudos, they think their Quasquai is sort of just like a Range Rover really.
Harry Flashman said:
Frankly, living in London which not only has potholes but also mountainous traffic calming measures, I can see the point of an SUV. I chinned the spoiler on a ZipCar Golf the other day on yet another of Lambeth's ridiculous speedbumps - a cooking, non-sporty family hatchback. Driving my own sports car in town is a painful experience now.
A small, high car like a Skoda Yeti with a DSG box is an almost perfect city runabout.
Having driven through London recently I'm quite inclined to agree with you.A small, high car like a Skoda Yeti with a DSG box is an almost perfect city runabout.
I'm surprised people haven't taken up crewing one of Hobart's Funnies with a fascine on top to get past some of these traffic calming measures.
High driving position, perceived safety, illusion of 'rufty tufty ruggedness'. With the current state of car development and the road conditions we have nowadays performance and handling are largely irrelevant, even fake off-roaders are fast enough and go round bends well enough so people don't really care about the dynamic downsides.
Ultimately most cars (above the most basic) are bought for some capabilities that will never be used. Nobody pushes performance cars to the limit of their abilities on the road, same as almost nobody actually uses their proper 4x4s off road, people just enjoy the knowledge that their car could do those things. Given that 99.9% of the population don't have the first clue about what makes a real 4x4 work off road then the manufacturers might as well save money by not actually fitting them with any off-road hardware at all. The customers will be happy as their illusions remain unshattered but they get more mpg and less flobbery on-road handling.
Ultimately most cars (above the most basic) are bought for some capabilities that will never be used. Nobody pushes performance cars to the limit of their abilities on the road, same as almost nobody actually uses their proper 4x4s off road, people just enjoy the knowledge that their car could do those things. Given that 99.9% of the population don't have the first clue about what makes a real 4x4 work off road then the manufacturers might as well save money by not actually fitting them with any off-road hardware at all. The customers will be happy as their illusions remain unshattered but they get more mpg and less flobbery on-road handling.
Mercutio said:
I've heard the justifications. That the additional ride height makes it "easier to take out baby seats".
There is a grain of truth in this, although I would argue it's not the ride height, but the height of the door aperture that goes with a taller vehicle. The same attribute is also shared with a people carrier, and remains for me the only justification for those too. Getting a newborn baby into a modern child seat through a normal door opening, while not impossible, can be very tricky. Between the side bolster on the seat base and the top of the door aperture, you can be looking at no more than 40 cm or so. Given the delicate nature of the cargo, the fact that it cannot be guarantted to be co-operative or still, this can be awkward, and that little bit of extra height on the door aperture of an SUV or MPV makes this significantly easier.
BUT
It is not impossible, and the second a child can get itself in and out of a car seat (ours were managing regularly by the time they hit 2 years old), this goes away.
That said, people should drive what they like, and I don't think anyone should have to justify what they drive to anyone other than themselves. There is no justification in the UK for a car with the kind of performance that most of us own or want to own, but it's personal choice.
Of the people I know with SUVs, most cite the elevated driving position and the enhanced forward visibility it offers as the main thing they like about the car. It's a fair point, IMO.
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