When SUVs surged onto American roadways in the 1990s, no one, it seemed, cared to call them by their given name. But people of all ages staked their claim, convinced the SUV was made specifically for them. City dwellers regarded them as “sweet urban vehicles.” People who lived in the suburbs preferred the clumsy but heartfelt “suburbanites’ ultimate vehicle.”
Everyone, it seemed, appeared eager to dispense with the word in the middle that confused matters: “utility.” Was this identifier the best the auto industry could come up with to describe a vehicle that offered far more room than a car but did not require a commercial license to maneuver?
By now, most people have dispensed with the word “utility” and use the snappier acronym almost exclusively, which is probably a good thing. City dwellers and suburbanites may drive SUVs for different reasons, but they seem to agree that SUVs leave cars in the dust. Chief among the reasons:
SUVs carry more people
The largest “family” models seat up to nine people (though not always with optimal leg room). Whether you’re transporting a baseball team or just a family that resembles one, SUVs are a practical way to round up and transport everybody in the same trip.
SUVs hold more cargo
Now there’s a word the automakers should have latched onto: “cargo,” which could mean kids but is broad enough to include sports equipment, groceries, furniture and a major trip to a big-box store – all items that would be cramped in car.
SUVs were made to tow a load
Fundamentally, cars weren’t designed to haul heavy loads. By contrast, many SUVs are equipped with towing ability; it’s a driver expectation right from the start. Hitch a motorcycle, boat, camping equipment or even a trailer with a horse to an SUV and hit the road with confidence.
SUVs often feature greater horsepower
SUVs need more “horses” to haul the kids, extra cargo and maybe even a real horse. The horses under the hood enable SUVs to navigate uphill climbs and meandering terrain with ease.
SUVs boast an elevated driver’s seat
Nobody wants to climb a step ladder to board an SUV, but even a modest climb (required by, say, a Honda CR-V) pays huge dividends: you can see traffic ahead (in the city or the suburbs); you can scope out far-off parking spaces; and you can see over low obstacles that would be hopeless to spot by car. Plus, many SUV drivers say the elevated position gives them a greater sense of confidence behind the wheel.
SUVs were “born” for the open road
Off-roading capabilities may have taken a back seat to SUVs’ exterior styling and interior features, but they’re omnipresent. In addition to more rugged transmissions and differentials, many SUVs boast greater underbody protection and features such as descent control and sloped hoods that make them ideal for open-road adventures.
SUVs don’t flinch in inclement weather
Whether a street is flooded with rain or covered in snow and ice, SUVs stand tough. Their components explain why: they’re heavier, offer more ground clearance, feature larger tires and seat the driver higher up. Like trucks, many SUVs come with four-wheel drive, also known as all-wheel drive. Fittingly, it’s a term the SUV introduced and brought into common usage.
Virtually every automaker makes an SUV, and the differences among them might surprise you. While it can be fun to review them online, there is no substitute for sizing them up in person at Valley Automall. After learning which features are important to you, our knowledgeable sales team can help steer you to the Simply Unbelievable Vehicle that suits your needs and personal style – no matter how you prefer to identify it.