Why the hate for SUV convertibles?

[cerb4.5lee]

SUV's do polarise opinion for sure. I understand the dislike(they are big/brash/don't actually drive that well if you enjoy driving). Plus an Estate car does pretty much everything better for me(although I like the higher driving/bit more ground clearance of a SUV).

I do find the current buying trends fascinating though, and SUV's seem to be replacing saloons/hatchbacks/estates. SUV's do seem to be where the money is for manufacturers now and I do wonder how long it will last.

[Alex_225]

Bill said:

Alex_225 said:

That's not to say all SUVs are bad or unnecessary but seeing a car park full of Mokkas, Kugas, Kadjars and Qashqais is quite uninspiring and I suspect in 20 years time they'll all be forgotten ready for the next trend!

A car park of Astras, Mondeos, Meganes and Notes, or 320ds for that matter, is even less inspiring.

I'm not sure less inspiring but similarly uninspiring that's for sure. Cars for pure function are rarely going to be the most fascinating. At least you might hope for a hot version of one of the above though haha

[Boosted LS1]

Bill said:

Alex_225 said:

That's not to say all SUVs are bad or unnecessary but seeing a car park full of Mokkas, Kugas, Kadjars and Qashqais is quite uninspiring and I suspect in 20 years time they'll all be forgotten ready for the next trend!

A car park of Astras, Mondeos, Meganes and Notes, or 320ds for that matter, is even less inspiring.

Most car parks are uninspiring because they're full of bland 'look a like' cars. I guess that's partly down to safety legislation and people keeping up with the Jones's.

[FIREBIRDC9]

Because its an answer to a question that literally nobody asked......

That and they look like crap

[Bill]

Alex_225 said:

I'm not sure less inspiring but similarly uninspiring that's for sure. Cars for pure function are rarely going to be the most fascinating. At least you might hope for a hot version of one of the above though haha

Exactly. But if you're going for a white goods car why wouldn't you choose the one that's easier to get into and with better ride?

[DoubleD]

An SUV is just a tall hatchback, its no less of a trend/fashion than any other car style. All car types were new at one point and these are no different.

[white_goodman]

SUV convertibles aren't exactly a new thing are they? In the 90s, we had Vitaras, Jimnys, Fronteras, Daihatsu Sportraks, Freelander 1s, Wranglers etc. I had a Jimny softop as a company car briefly and it was horrific at 40mph+ but kind of fun just pottering around with the roof off!

I don't think that I can hate the Evoque Convertible. It's probably not a car that I would buy myself but when most crossovers are so bland and boring, it's difficult to hate something for being a bit different. It does look a bit odd though, probably because it's quite tall but has a short wheelbase and no B-pillar unlike the 90s SUV convertibles, which I think balanced out the styling of these taller vehicles a bit more and also unlike those cars, it doesn't have a rear tailgate which makes it a bit useless in practicality terms. Reminds me a bit of a mk1 Golf cab at the back! Saw a new Evoque the other day and thought it a bit bland and boring compared to the original. Secretly, I was really quite a fan of the styling of the original 2 door coupe version!

[pigeyman]

Because they are terrible rubbish.

[Panamax]

I thought Range Rover had tested and killed the whole concept of convertible SUVs with their short attempt at selling Evoque with a folding top. But today I encountered a VW T-Roc cabriolet for the first time. Bizarre thing. Will it catch on and start a new craze? Can't see it myself.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/t-r...

[Sensei Rob]

Looks faeces.

Cabriolets these days are too big. The belt line is too high, making drivers look too small.

[anonymous-user]

It's for those who want to live out their real life Barbie fantasies.

[The spinner of plates]

Ah, if they sell a few to yummy mummys and deluded retired people then what's the harm eh.

[David Beer]

Here’s mine

[anonymous-user]

Panamax said:

I thought Range Rover had tested and killed the whole concept of convertible SUVs with their short attempt at selling Evoque with a folding top. But today I encountered a VW T-Roc cabriolet for the first time. Bizarre thing. Will it catch on and start a new craze? Can't see it myself.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/t-r...

its been on sale since 2020, you've seen one and I live in a place you'd expect to see plenty and haven't seen a single one. I expect it will be quietly dropped

[captain_cynic]

There have been loads of soft top fourbies from the old Suzukis to Jeep Wranglers.

But you're thinking of a soft roader, FWD, "Mum Tank" SUV. Seeing as most are just jacked up hatches there is no reason that you can't just put the version of that hatch with the roof lopped off on stilts and call it a CSUV.

Apart from the fact that it will look like a bag of arses and be even more impractical than the normal height version.

Will still sell though, especially to the lands that taste forgot like the US, China, Essex and Cheshire.

[Spleen]

Panamax said:

I thought Range Rover had tested and killed the whole concept of convertible SUVs with their short attempt at selling Evoque with a folding top. But today I encountered a VW T-Roc cabriolet for the first time. Bizarre thing. Will it catch on and start a new craze? Can't see it myself.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/t-r...

I'd rather eat a teste than be seen in one of those. What a horrible thing.

[NowWatchThisDrive]

Panamax said:

I thought Range Rover had tested and killed the whole concept of convertible SUVs with their short attempt at selling Evoque with a folding top. But today I encountered a VW T-Roc cabriolet for the first time. Bizarre thing. Will it catch on and start a new craze? Can't see it myself.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/t-r...

That is absolutely dreadful! Even worse than the convertible Evoque. Out of proportion size-wise and looks like a Barbie car.

All-time best in class for "convertible SUVs that should never have been" (as opposed to purposely designed soft top off roaders which are perfectly acceptable) surely has to go to Octopussy's finest

[DonkeyApple]

Someone earlier probably hit the nail on the head. It's already a little amusing that the really high door levels on many SUVs make it look like a toddler is driving, take the roof off and the proportions are wrong for a convertible.

The new Defender would seem a logical vehicle to look the roof off on but blokes less than 6 foot are already looking like they struggle to see over the doors so I suspect a soft top would end up looking silly despite it being on paper probably quite desirable.

[sociopath]

David Beer said:

Here’s mine

Not as ugly as the gazebo

[David Beer]

sociopath said:

Not as ugly as the gazebo

You are quite right. When the svx had to give up the garage, lock down !,
I needed something to keep the bird poo off. It will go down the copse now the garage is clear.
When in the garage the roof is not on.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&url=https%3A...

Edited by David Beer on Friday 4th February 07:53