The simple fact is that large SUVs thrived because there were no other options unless of course you wanted a minivan. Yes, there will always be a market for the SUV for those who truly use the utility. But many SUV (and truck) sales were to people who didn't really need them. So now that there are more comfortable/drivable/efficient/capable options out there the need for the SUV has been lessened. I'm not sure that there is a need for the Explorer other than it appeals to young people more so than the Edge. However, SUVs like the GX and Durango are losing their luster.

 

Yep...you hit the nail on the head. The main reason that big body-on-frame SUVs thrived was because automakers (due to CAFE rules and other factors) dropped the big, body-on-frame station wagons like the Buick Estate Wagon, Mercury Colony Park, Ford Country Squire, Chrysler Town & Country wagon, Chevy Caprice Wagon, etc.... Consumers needing full-frame towing and large-family/cargo hauling turned to large, truck-based SUVs as an alternative...and, of course, got all-weather 4WD/AWD as an added bonus. If large, full-framed SUVs are forced out of production by the next round of CAFEs coming up in a few years, you're going to see a fair number of angry voters...and politicians are going to have to give an account.


It's true that, outside of the ones I just listed above that turned to them because of lack of full-sized wagons, some people who buy large SUV's don't NEED them (I often see people driving around in them alone). But, for several reasons, they WANT them....(the allure of having 2-3 tons of metal around you for safety still attracts some buyers). For that matter, a lot of people driving expensive Porsches, Ferraris, Lambos, Astons, etc.... don't really NEED them either..........but they WANT them. And, we're supposed to have a free-market here in America....if you can afford to buy and run a vehicle, why not? I myself. for several reasons, choose not to spend large amounts on a vehicle, or buy full-sized vehicles, but the market (or the government) should not prevent you from doing so if you so choose....IMO, that's one's private buisness.

Of course, if large vehicles, for environmental or other reasons, can be made more efficient and less-consuming of the world's resources, (say, with diesels, hybrids, or other methods), then, again, why not?...I'm all for that. But then again, if the full-frames are still needed for towing, then that is something that manufacturers should still take seriously.

 

Correct, but it doesn't change our discussion. It is just as factual that it has been that way, with at least some Subies, for several years now.

Of course, the thread topic is full-sized SUV's, so I agree it's time to get back to that.

 

great post.

the OFFERINGS have broadened, with a wide variety of cuvs, bigger cuv/suvs and big and huge suvs. so sure, 'traditional' big suvs of course are going to get squeezed with a diverse product available.

i bought an explorer 4 years ago but do i really need it's body on frame construction or towing capacity (and fairly flinty suspension)? no, i don't, but i really liked its usable space and it has ZERO creaks/squeaks and feels like a tank. i could see me switching to an RX, Edge, Sorrento, or new Explorer next time.

 

Interesting, because even with the heavier-duty frame-rails, body-on-frame vehicles tend to develop rattles and squeaks faster than unibody-vehicles do. That's because, with the unibody, the entire shell is welded together in one solid piece, where, in BOF design, the upper-body is usually bolted-on, and the attachment-bolts can loosen up over time and allow more flexing.


It will be very interesting to see what difference there is (if any) between the old BOF and new unibody Explorer in tow-ratings. Tow-ratings, of course, are a major reason (among several) why buyers choose BOF SUV's, though as newer computer-designed unibodies have become stiffer and stronger, some of their tow ratings have gone up to compensate.

 

A majority of the Explorers have never towed and never will tow. The maximum towing capabilites of the new Explorer (from the specs I've seen) are roughly 35%-40% less than the peak towing capacity of the current BOF Explorer.

Modern BOF trucks/SUVs do not develop rattles or creaking any quicker than modern unibody crossovers today. They no longer have attachment bolts that loosen up over time. Of course the BOF configuration has other negatives like weight, center of gravity, stepover height, etc.