Is It Time To Ditch Your Saloon For An SUV?
Posted by admin at 8 September 2017, at 12 : 54 PM
It’s no secret that SUVs are becoming more popular. Back in 2007, when Nissan first launched the Qashqai, SUVs went from cars that guzzled gas and cost a fortune to run, the ultra-practical vehicles that were at home on any terrain. There was no longer any need to buy something rugged, like a Land Rover or a Jeep, just to get extra versatility and space. Car companies had found a way to put all those features into a compact package which was just at home driving around on city streets as it was hauling you over mud tracks.
Many drivers, therefore, are asking themselves whether it’s worth giving up their saloon for an SUV. Saloon cars have been in decline ever since the turn of the decade. Not only is their market share being chipped away by spritely hatchbacks, but they’re also getting squeezed from the other end of the market: sports utility vehicles.
In fact, the problem is getting so bad for saloon cars that they’re now almost entirely restricted to the executive market, particularly in Europe and Asia. Saloons, it seems, are on the out.
But why?
Versatility
Perhaps the biggest draw of cars like the Subaru Outback is the fact that they’re so versatile. SUVs, once synonymous with Humvees, are now pretty much the ultimate family-friendly vehicles. The Outback, for instance, won this year’s Best Family Car award, a title that it’s held for several years now. And it managed to do this, all thanks to the four-wheel drive, relatively low price, safety features and resale value – it’s a car that holds its own against the smaller saloons.
SUVs are a holiday maker’s dream. Vacations often take you on journeys you never expected and can’t always anticipate. Whereas saloon cars struggle with things like ground clearance and torque on rough terrain, SUVs are made for these kinds of environments, soaking them up as if they weren’t even there.
Space
SUVs also offer families a lot more space. The extra height above the rear seats and the truck means that it’s easy to get children in and out of the car, as well as put pretty much anything you want in the boot, including large items like grandfather clocks.
Safety
SUVs, including those made by Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota are also widely lauded for their safety features. Subaru, for instance, uses EyeSIght driver assist technology which monitors the road ahead and will brake automatically if the driver doesn’t first. It also offers the same technology when the driver is reversing, preventing bumper scuffs and damage to other people’s cars.
Because they have more space, SUVs are often also able to cram in more features at a lower price than saloons. There’s no longer such a pressing need to reduce compact everything down so that it fits in the chassis of the car, allowing for larger, more reliable components. It’s no wonder that many SUVs go on to last more than 10 years.
The bottom line is that SUVs are fast becoming the sensible choice for many families. And they will continue to do so for many years to come.