What’s the Right SUV for You?

SUVs or sport utility vehicles is the general term used for a class of vehicles that are similar to a station wagon, but are built on a light truck chassis. SUVs are very popular because of their four wheel drive capabilities, which enable them to be used for daily driving or for off road trips with the towing capacity of pick-ups and a seating capacity of a minivan or a large sedan. People with large families or those who like off road adventures are usually the ones who go for the SUVs. There are different classes of SUV available in the market, which can be classified into three general groups based on their size.

The first group consists of compact SUVs such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Rav4, and the Ford Escape. They are built on a truck like frame, which offers excellent refinement. These are usually designed for small families and offer the greatest comfort. Some features you can find in a compact SUV are a variable drive system and enhanced fuel efficiency. Next are the Midsized SUVs which are built on the frame of family sedans and station wagons. These are designed for small families and offer a large interior room for passenger and cargo and great engine performance with its six or eight cylinder engines. Users are guaranteed excellent fuel economy, easy maneuvering and handling, and a very smooth ride. The most popular midsize SUVs are the Chevy Blazer and the Ford Explorer. Both are excellent to take on camping, hiking, or skiing trips. The last group of SUVs is the large SUVs which are a popular choice among large families. It has a seating capacity of eight to nine people and has an excellent payload capacity. Popular models include Suburban and Ford Explorer. Premium models from this group such as the Hummer produced by General Motors offer elegant and classy interiors, enhanced safety features, and advanced technologies.

With so many groups to choose what’s the best SUV for you? Remember this simple rule when it comes to choosing an SUV; as you go bigger in the size of the SUV, you also move up in the engine power, towing ability, seating capacity, and price. So base your decision on your need for each of these features.

Price

Compact SUVs are naturally the least expensive among the three. You can find models that have prices that start at $20,000. Midsize SUVs on the other hand vary greatly in price with the base models amounting to the mid $20,000 and other models reaching to the mid $40,000. Large SUVs especially those that are considered luxury vehicles start at $40,000 and can reach up to $100,000. Determine your budget and from that you will find what group of SUVs you are in the market for.

Engine and Fuel Economy

The different groups of SUVs use are built in with different engines and accordingly have different mileages. Compact SUVs run with four to six cylinder engines and achieve mileage figures in the mid to upper 20s. Mid sized SUVs carry a standard six cylinder engine and average in the upper teens while large SUVs using V8 engines reach between 12 and 20 miles per gallon.

Safety

An important thing to consider is the safety features that come along with your SUV. Luckily regardless of group or price, these SUVs are built in with important safety features such as curtain airbags, rollover protection systems, and stability control. However, because SUVs are still harder to handle than most cars, it would be better if you read up on the braking and handling performance of the SUV models that interest you before buying them.

Luxury Features

If you are into comfort and luxury, you might want to consider first the basic and added amenities that you can get from each group. Compact SUVs come with only the basic amenities plus a few simple upgrades such as CD changers, automatic climate control, and leather. Mid sized SUVs have a variety of convenience features and also have luxury amenities as options. When it comes to luxury, large SUVs offer the widest range of luxury variants although there are also options for more rugged use.

Interior Space

The number of passengers you can seat is an important consideration in choosing an SUV model. If you have a small family, a compact SUV can be right for you because it can seat up to four or five passengers. Mid and large sized SUVs are generally for larger groups and families because they offer a third row seating option thereby letting accommodate more passengers. Interior space also deal with cargo space and as a rule, the larger your SUV the bigger also is the space afforded to your cargo.