What do I need to think about if I’m considering an SUV?
What do I need to think about if I’m considering an SUV?
The SUV segment is one which has undergone massive growth in recent years. Helped no end by the sheer variety on offer to new car buyers, it’s an area of the market which continues to expand with each passing month.
But if you’re not driving an SUV at the moment and are thinking about making the switch, what do you need to consider? Let’s take a look.
Do I actually need one?
It might sound simple, but it’s a great place to start. Weighing up whether or not you actually need an SUV is a question well worth asking yourself. If you’ve been used to driving a smaller car, then the switch to a larger version does bring a little added stress when it comes to things like parking and navigating multi-storey car parks.
Plus, SUVs do often bring a slight penalty when it comes to fuel efficiency, so it’s a good idea to bear this in mind, too.
What size of SUV is the best option for me?
As we’ve touched on, the SUV is really broad at the moment with cars of all shapes and sizes available. At the top end you’ve got large seven seaters, whereas the more compact end of the spectrum has cars that nearly have the same kind of footprint as a regular hatchback.
So have a hard think about which one will work for you. If you need the extra space then, of course, a bigger SUV could be ideal - but going overboard on the sizing can have its drawbacks when it comes to ease-of-use.
How fuel efficient do I need an SUV to be?
As we’ve mentioned, most SUVs do tend to bring a slight penalty when it comes to efficiency when compared with something like a traditional hatchback or estate car. However, many SUVs are now available with plug-in hybrid setups which allow you to reduce emissions while also being able to drive on fully electric power for short periods of time.
So if you’ve got a slim commute or often do shorter trips around town or to school, then these plug-in hybrid versions could be a great idea because you’ll be able to do lots of your travel on electric power instead.
Do I need to tow?
A lot of people opt for an SUV for towing. Be it a boat, caravan or everything in between, you need to think about what type of towing capacity you’ll need in order to stay within the law. A towing capacity dictates how much a vehicle can pull legally - and any vehicle needs to be able to tow, bring along whatever that has inside it while comfortable moving the car itself and its occupants.
So if you’re looking at a larger boat or caravan, then you need to make sure that you’ve got an SUV with a towing capacity that fits.
Do I want an electric SUV?
Manufacturers have become wise to the crossover in popularity between SUVs and electric vehicles and, as a result, there are plenty of battery-powered SUVs available. Cars like the Skoda Enyaq and Jaguar I-Pace are great examples of this as they combine the spaciousness and high riding position of a conventional SUV but with that zero-emissions setup.
You’ve got loads of cars to choose from in this segment, too, so it’s a great one to go for if you like to have plenty of options to choose between.
Is four-wheel-drive something I really need?
It might seem strange to think that many cars that look like they could go here, there and everywhere don’t actually have four-wheel-drive, but it’s definitely the case. However, if you live in areas prone to ice and snow or frequently head off the beaten track then four-wheel-drive is something you’ll want to make sure your next SUV has fitted.
In contrast, if you spend more of your time on the road, then a two-wheel-drive SUV will be a much better option as they’ll be better on fuel and emit less, too.
