ALT-2 The Benefits and Costs of Suvs
SUVS are ugly. SUVs kill the environment. SUVs waste a lot of gas and cost a whole bunch more.
You know what the funny thing is? If the car is an SUV, people will go right after you, not realizing that the guy driving the Camaro beside you is probably eating up more gas, faster than your SUV. Think about it...you're a family guy with a light foot who just takes the kids around. But the guy in the Camaro is probably drag racing on the track.
Which is better now?
SUVs are charged with a gas tax, and understandably...they do eat quite a bit. However why aren't there gas taxes on the V8's and V10's and the V12's coming from supercars and exotics of this day and age? My uncle looked into a Porsche 911, and it would be eating more gas than his Acura MDX SUV, yet we got dinged on the MDX and got away with the Porsche? HUH?!
Depending on the SUV you chose, the benefits could actually outweigh the costs. Consider the Toyota Rav4 SUV with the V6 engine. This vehicle gets 30 miles per gallon. A Civic gets not much more, Accord and Camry get roughly 33. Now you have an SUV that gets roughly the same gas mileage as midsize sedans? How is that not beneficial at all?
The SUV is higher up than most sedans and small cars, this allows it to plow through normal snow conditions with the higher ground clearance. This actually becomes a benefit if you're in the mud, dirt or snow for a long period of time. I don't think a Corolla will actually do well in snow compared to the Rav4.
The SUV tends to be a bit roomier, using the same economy chassis, which helps in many situations. It is much easier to sit in an SUV than in a car for a long haul, especially with five people.
The cargo area for the luggage tends to be greater in an SUV without a trunk and blocking a whole side of the car. Although a hatchback could do the same thing, the SUV does have bit better style, although boxy, is more efficient.
Pending on the SUV you get, you can seat up to seven people. This is great if you need that room and don't wish to drive a minivan for whatever reason. (I don't blame you.).
Benefits of having an SUV? Not bad at all. They may be a bit costly, a small SUV would be the same price as a midsize sedan. However there are times i've noticed where i wished i had the SUV to haul things in, because i didn't want to ruin the seats in my car since all of my cargo could not fit in the trunk.
Power hungry? SUVs can even deliver that, most engines found in sedans end up being put into SUVs. Another example (same one actually) is the V6 Rav4. It produces 260 horses...PLENTY to launch this beast to 60 in a mere 6.6 seconds. Not quick enough? Well you should know that the Porsche Cayenne S does the same 0 - 60 time. Now consider the Rav is smaller, less powered, and gets better gas mileage. Either way, performance, the Rav can do nearly the same (Could not handle at all if it tried).
Now. SUVs although higher up, in an accident, it can be MUCH more devestating to either the small car, van or the SUV you're driving. Not much help, but here's something, drive safer. It may not help, but if you're more aware and you drive safely, chances are, you'll probably avoid one.
SUV's same with the higher ground clearance, have a tendancy, although can handle very well, it cannot corner like a car. I need to make this clear....Any SUV with any sophisticated drivetrain WILL NOT stop the CAR FROM ROLLING OVER. IT WILL NOT. You may be higher up, but that doesn't mean you can do everything a car can do. YOU WILL ROLL YOUR VEHICLE if you try to mimic a car. Your center of gravity is higher up, and therefore it will cause the car to destabalize.
SUVs cost more. There's no doubt. YOu want an SUV that's on a small car platform. (Civic and CRV, Corolla and Rav4), the Rav4 and CRV will cost more, not to mention useless gas taxes. THey offer more for the value, however they will cost you more to begin with. Taxes and to create the car. If you wanted a car on the midsize platform (Accord and Pilot, Camry and Highlander)...expect to may much more for the SUVs as well. Even large cars (Cadillac STS and Escalade, Ford 500 and Ford Explorer). Same deal. SUVS will cost you more. It truly depends what you want it for.
SUVs also performance much differently, and for the power they have, you must realize they weigh much more than the car counterpart. Meaning, your SUV will be SLOWER to stop than a small car. You can not stop as you would in a small car. Even with upgraded breaks, it will take you longer to stop. Giving yourself that room. Remember, it may have the power and the gadges. It does not mean you'll be able to drive it like a car, despite how carlike the ride is.
These are essentially the main benefits and costs of having an SUV. If you can keep your foot off the floor and can drive safer, you may like the SUV, especially for the height, ground clearance and even the power. But if you drive it like you would a car....perhaps you should avoid it. You will be more dangerous to yourself and others.
However, there are SUVs that can entirely be very helpful with the economy and environment and even are cheap to maintain. But purchase price is much more. It truly depends if you need an SUV or not, even if you want it. Just remember, there's a good and a bad to having an SUV. It just depends on who you are, and how you drive and where you live.
