Why the split on SUV's?

[Slow]

Why is PH so separated on views of SUV's? For example the thread on "worst cars on sale today", people are saying Audi Q7,x5, RR. Yet I see people who swear by them also.

It's up to people to choose what they want to drive. Yet people seem to almost detest these larger cars.

I completely see the appeal of a large 4x4, having recently got a FFRR and had my mum owning 4x4s since I was 10. They have so much space, happy in snow, can tow should it be needed, good on the single track roads near mine as you can see over everything, good visibility in town also. Pretty much does everything you need of a car except be sporty.

Only downside is poor fuel economy and slightly harder to park from my 2 month ownership with one.

[Challo]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=134...

This one lasted 37 pages and covered most hate of the SUV. Personally like them and don't see the issue.

[jamieduff1981]

I don't hate them.

I'd never spend my own money on one though because I enjoy driving.

I have a relatively cheap double cab pickup truck to do the stuff my cars can't do. I'd never sacrifice the benefits of a proper car to spend serious money on an SUV though.

Forgoing everything good about cars to have a luxurious SUV then having to avoid any utilitarian usage because you'll damage your 22" alloys or mark the soft grain leather and plush carpets doesn't seem to add up to me.

Proper car for normal and fun use. If you need a 4x4 tool, get a 4x4 tool. I can clean the bed of my pickup with a pressure washer and mash through snow without too much concern.

[ging84]

I don't think i've ever seen anyone suggesting anything like Range Rover, an X5 or a Q7 is the worst car on sale today, or even anything along those lines.
There is a lot of who wouldn't want one, because 4x4s are not their thing and a lot of hostility towards owners and drivers from some. No one really has a problem with the cars themselves, it's the crossovers and the 'soft roaders' people have a problem with.

[DonkeyApple]

Because a lot of people seem to think everyone else is looking down on them. Others just have anger issues and use any old excuse to vent at minority groups. Some are just stereotypical bitter Brits.

And on the other side, some people feel the need to try and look wealthy to strangers, others need to feel physically superior to strangers and some just need to follow the crowd.

As with any group of weiners, when they meet it's like the World Dogging Championship. All cocks and s.

Edited by DonkeyApple on Monday 1st June 18:51

[vikingaero]

You have every right to own a SUV as I have the right to dislike them.

Reasons:

(1) Often slow/inefficient - OK there are M/V8/V10/V12 models but these make up a tiny %.
(2) They take up too much road/parking space. Why should I struggle to get into my car because your behemoth has parked too close/badly parked? It's not up to smaller car owners to sacrifice space for you or for car park providers to give you extra large spaces.
(3) The drivers. Goateed Company Director or ste school mum who can't drive or park.
(4) Majority of Cashcows etc are FWD so are more a styling exercise rather than functional.
Etc. Etc.

[Blib]

Mrs B. just bought herself a Subaru Forester. She describes it as, "A tall estate". She has a point.

[vikingaero]

I do quite like the RR as there is genuine off road ability rather than the phat tyred X5

[valiant]

vikingaero said:

You have every right to own a SUV as I have the right to dislike them.

Reasons:

(1) Often slow/inefficient - OK there are M/V8/V10/V12 models but these make up a tiny %.
(2) They take up too much road/parking space. Why should I struggle to get into my car because your behemoth has parked too close/badly parked? It's not up to smaller car owners to sacrifice space for you or for car park providers to give you extra large spaces.
(3) The drivers. Goateed Company Director or ste school mum who can't drive or park.
(4) Majority of Cashcows etc are FWD so are more a styling exercise rather than functional.
Etc. Etc.

On point 2, they aren't that much bigger than a large estate in most cases. I was semi-seriously thinking of changing my focus for a 5dr Shogun for no other reason than I quite like the look of them and when comparing dimensions, the Shogun was only 50cm longer and actually narrower than a Focus estate. Yes it was a lot taller but the sky is getting any lower so not really relevant.

i

[vikingaero]

valiant said:

On point 2, they aren't that much bigger than a large estate in most cases. I was semi-seriously thinking of changing my focus for a 5dr Shogun for no other reason than I quite like the look of them and when comparing dimensions, the Shogun was only 50cm longer and actually narrower than a Focus estate. Yes it was a lot taller but the sky is getting any lower so not really relevant.

Whilst some SUVs have a similar footprint they are fat-wide. The problem with the "tallness" is that your average SUV driver cannot place the vehicle correctly on the road. When they overtake parked cars or drive down narrow lanes they are way over the fair space for each road user.

[alock]

valiant said:

On point 2, they aren't that much bigger than a large estate in most cases. I was semi-seriously thinking of changing my focus for a 5dr Shogun for no other reason than I quite like the look of them and when comparing dimensions, the Shogun was only 50cm longer and actually narrower than a Focus estate. Yes it was a lot taller but the sky is getting any lower so not really relevant.

But they are taller and boxier. This massively reduces visibility for the car behind. With a line of normal cars it is easy to see the brake lights of several cars in front.

This means I normally leave a much larger gap to a large 4x4 in front. If everyone had to leave 4 second gaps instead of 2 second gaps you half the road capacity.

[Baryonyx]

vikingaero said:

Whilst some SUVs have a similar footprint they are fat-wide. The problem with the "tallness" is that your average SUV driver cannot place the vehicle correctly on the road. When they overtake parked cars or drive down narrow lanes they are way over the fair space for each road user.

This, absolutely. They're big bulky, awful looking things and often driven by talentless oafs who treat them like they're twice as wide as they are because they've no spatial awareness.

[T5R+]

People hate them because most seem to be driven by grade 1 c0cks or c0ckesses.

They are big and impractical, drink fuel, can cost a lot to run and are slow.

Yes I own one with all the bells and whistles (V8 with Brabus / air suspension / cameras for parking / etc/ etc) BUT only use it when we are going out as a family (3 teenage boys at 6' plus and best part of 80-100KG/each) - rest of the time use a big saloon as is a better all round package.

If I could only afford one vehicle - I would not go with a RR/Q7/ML/X5 as am a petrolhead.

However, some owners that I know absolutely love their 4x4 - even the ones that never have need of the rear seats.

[ch108]

Baryonyx said:

This, absolutely. They're big bulky, awful looking things and often driven by talentless oafs who treat them like they're twice as wide as they are because they've no spatial awareness.

I used to occasionally get a lift in a Kia Sportage. Nice enough inside but i didn't think there was any more interior space than you would get in a large hatchback or estate, so couldn't really see the point having the bulky exterior. Plus i wouldn't fancy trying to change a wheel on it (if it actually had a spare), or buy tyres for it!

People who own these type of cars also always mention a high driving position as a plus. I can see the point that it is probably better for putting a baby in its seat without having to stoop to do so, or for older folk that find it more difficult to get in or out of a normal car. But in years of owning conventional cars I've never thought that any of my cars were too low to see out of.

[Dog Star]

One word describes them for me: vulgar.

They're the modern day equivalent of one of those dreadful houses with fake columns outside the front door. So gash.

[tr7v8]

Not quite sure why people get concerned about fuel use or running costs, my Boxster costs more to run & is thirstier than an MX5 does this wind you up as well?
My Grand Cherokee replaced an S Type Jag. It is within 1/2" the same size on width & length & weighs 100kg more. It has been considerably cheaper to run than the S Type was, aside from fuel which I don't pay for anyway. But it does have space for transporting nieces to from uni with 1/2 ton of crap, DIY building stuff for the house refurb etc.
As for driving I find dheads normally driving saloons are the issue.

[tr7v8]

Not quite sure why people get concerned about fuel use or running costs, my Boxster costs more to run & is thirstier than an MX5 does this wind you up as well?
My Grand Cherokee replaced an S Type Jag. It is within 1/2" the same size on width & length & weighs 100kg more. It has been considerably cheaper to run than the S Type was, aside from fuel which I don't pay for anyway. But it does have space for transporting nieces to from uni with 1/2 ton of crap, DIY building stuff for the house refurb etc.
As for driving I find dheads normally driving saloons are the issue.

[Bungleaio]

I loved my RRS but now it's gone I don't really miss it. It made a great noise, it was swift and it handled well especially considering the size. I deliberately bought the supercharged V8 model though so it had all the tweaks to make it go better than a more traditional 4x4.

[clarki]

I drive an evoque as my everyday wheels, you should see the stick I get!! lol

However for me it's perfect for day to day use and a very soothing place to be after a hard days work.

So many pluses for an SUV over a car for everyday use for me that I really couldn't go back (on my 3rd now).

I fine my all mod cons RR for the week and my sparse MX5 for the weekend the perfect combination tbh. Just as well i'm thick-skinned!!

[Bungleaio]

I loved my RRS but now it's gone I don't really miss it. It made a great noise, it was swift and it handled well especially considering the size. I deliberately bought the supercharged V8 model though so it had all the tweaks to make it go better than a more traditional 4x4.