With nearly a third of all cars on UK roads now an SUV, these have become increasingly popular vehicles with drivers looking for a new car that can easily meet the demands of everyday family life. In 2017 alone, there were more than 817,000 sales of SUVs. The SUV market’s growth has only reflected the demand for drivers wanting a versatile vehicle that not only suits their growing family but looks great and can also work with their lifestyle. With petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid models now available, there's likely to be an SUV that suits your family. But before you head to the nearest showroom for a test drive, you should make sure you know whether an SUV is right for you.
Room And Manoeuvrability
One of the features of SUVs that make them particularly popular is the large amount of room they offer. Not many average family-sized vehicles can compete with the storage capacity you will get with an SUV. If your family needs to regularly travel with a large amount of equipment, then you’ll find it particularly useful. However, this generally relates to the larger and more expensive models. Smaller SUVs on the other hand, can’t rival other family cars who offer bigger boots for less money. SUVs have long hyped because of their maneuverability in poor conditions. As many SUVs have four-wheel drive, they have long been hyped for the maneuverability and helping to prevent skidding and slipping in wet and snow conditions. Also, if there are times when you need to head off the beaten path, an SUV can manoeuvre across uneven ground, while providing passengers with a comfortable ride.
Size And Driving Position
There have been a staggering 114 brand new SUV models launched since 2015. All the different SUV models on the market offer size and height that’s become the main attractions for many buyers as it gives you a good view of the road and means you don’t have to bend down to get into the car, which is helpful when you need to lift young children into their seat or transport anyone with restricted mobility. For many people, the size of the SUV itself, which is often wider than a normal car and set on higher wheels, it provides a feeling of safety when driving and peace of mind that any children onboard may be safer. But there have been occasions of SUVs rolling over at high speeds, so you do need to ensure you drive with care and within the speed limit.
Cost of Fuel And Emissions
SUVs with four-wheel drive are generally more expensive than the equivalent sized hatchback, despite there not being much difference in size. As the car is generally heavier than a regular saloon, it will take more fuel to drive it. With the loss of fuel performance inevitably comes an increase in fuel costs, but with the rising cost of fuel, many people may find it uneconomical and too expensive to run an SUV. The emissions that SUVs give off is much larger than a smaller car, which is related to the increase in fuel that an SUV requires. As it uses more fuel to do basic driving functions, it leads to more emissions being pumped into the atmosphere, leading to a larger carbon footprint.
While SUVs may be an expensive alternative than an estate car, they provide plenty of space, offer a better driving experience and have a modern image that helps them to hold their value relatively well. For a growing family looking for a new vehicle, an SUV could be the answer but do your research first.
