Why do people buy SUVs?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,472
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Mexico is my answer.
When I decided to move down there, I was warned that the highways were great, toll ones, but regular cars took a beating on the city streets and forget roads outside the city. Only an SUV could take the beating.
You should ask my Uncle how many cars he worked on had busted/badly worn shocks, and it was such a common issue you really didn't do anything unless the car sagged to one side or the noise got way too unbearable (true for taxi cab drivers).
When I decided to move down there, I was warned that the highways were great, toll ones, but regular cars took a beating on the city streets and forget roads outside the city. Only an SUV could take the beating.
You should ask my Uncle how many cars he worked on had busted/badly worn shocks, and it was such a common issue you really didn't do anything unless the car sagged to one side or the noise got way too unbearable (true for taxi cab drivers).
another reason is prices for minivans nowadays is getting way out of hands. prices for a loaded Limited Sienna or Odyssey Touring are comparable to RX350 and MDX, respectively. i remember 10 years ago a minivan was significantly cheaper than a comparable SUV. so for the same amount of money of course people would rather get SUVs unless they need that cargo space of minivan all the time.
Why do people buy SUVs?
- To each their own, not everyone like sedans, hatches etc..
- Line of work
- Hauling/towing/carrying
- Environment they live in
the list goes on..
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 40
From: CA
another reason is prices for minivans nowadays is getting way out of hands. prices for a loaded Limited Sienna or Odyssey Touring are comparable to RX350 and MDX, respectively. i remember 10 years ago a minivan was significantly cheaper than a comparable SUV. so for the same amount of money of course people would rather get SUVs unless they need that cargo space of minivan all the time.
Anyways, back to the topic on hand, I agree that I never really saw the purpose, but now that I'm getting older, its starting to set in that, when you have a family and have to haul stuff, you will need it. And not everyone can get over the stigma of driving a minivan.
Well you're wrong about half of what you're saying for starters. Few minivans are offered with AWD, and lots of people like that. A small third row is perfectly usable when you have younger kids. Minivans don't offer better performance than SUVs do. They don't put beefy engines into minivans. Bigger most certainly is safer also. When a Ford Excursion rams into a Honda Civic, or vice versa, who do you think is going to get hurt? Not the Excursion.
We can squeeze 7 people into our X5 diesel (with the third row option), or haul bulky cargo, it will tow like a champ, get nearly 30 mpg on road trips, rides pretty darned good and is quiet, will hit 0-60 mph in just under 7 seconds, drives and handles far better than many cars, oh and it will handle all weather being AWD. And yes, the high driving position gives great visibility too. All of that is why SUVs are so popular, minus the fuel consumption part for anything that isn't a diesel. But fuel economy figures on some of the latest SUVs including the new-generation X5 and the Acura MDX are now up to par with minivans, too.....
We can squeeze 7 people into our X5 diesel (with the third row option), or haul bulky cargo, it will tow like a champ, get nearly 30 mpg on road trips, rides pretty darned good and is quiet, will hit 0-60 mph in just under 7 seconds, drives and handles far better than many cars, oh and it will handle all weather being AWD. And yes, the high driving position gives great visibility too. All of that is why SUVs are so popular, minus the fuel consumption part for anything that isn't a diesel. But fuel economy figures on some of the latest SUVs including the new-generation X5 and the Acura MDX are now up to par with minivans, too.....
so many reasons and pros and cons, but i don't think it's really a valid question to begin with anyway because everyone needs different things. just like how some people can never see enough pros to buy luxury cars
i have yet to see a sedan with better cargo space than suv. seating comfort is debatable, but a car like lx570, the driving comfort is far superior than a lot of sedans out there. minivan is better on space no doubt, but better performance? hardly. better mpg? you don't want to compare the sienna to a v8 gx for example. more comfortable? a nice suv from any brand can beat the ride comfort of minivan easily
i am not even trying to say suv is better or minivan is better or sedan is better, just different cars for different people
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: GA
We needed a minivan with a 3rd kid on the way, but there was no way my wife wanted to drive or be seen in one. Minivan would've been tons more practical and economical, not to mention i could've bought a much newer one, but alas, i'm a new owner of the 2003 LX470 one-owner with 120K on it. I think in addition to the raised driving position, the extra space inside helps as well.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,472
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by alakita
but there was no way my wife wanted to drive or be seen in one
But, the fact is, like it or not, a minivan is often the ideal vehicle for many families, though currently, the only AWD minivan left in the American market is the pricey Sienna AWD, which can sell at a price well into Lexus territory. So, that might rule one out for families who cannot afford that kind of price.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 31, 2014 at 09:06 PM.
oh and they're awesome.
/comfy
/great visibility
/no jamming stuff into a trunk
/no bending over if you're tall
/great for long trips
/great for group outings
. No one type of vehicle can do it all.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,472
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You'd be surprised at the number of drivers I've seen who actually try that.....use a compact car like a Chevy Suburban. And they wonder why the transmissions burn up. 
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 1, 2014 at 09:40 AM.