Are SUV’s The Right Choice?

Sports utility vehicles or SUV’s have always been loved by Indian customers from a long time. Sports Utility Vehicles possess a non definable appeal about them. Why are SUV’s so appealing? This mainly has to do with the rugged styling and powerful exteriors that we witness on SUV’s. Most SUV’s look downright rough and tough and this is something that is easy to fall for if you are a prospective car buyer. However, before splashing your cash down for that SUV you have always desired, take some time to think your decision through. Are SUV’s the right choice for you? Experts and car industry professionals have long debated about the pros and cons of buying an SUV. 

SUVs in India

What emerges out of all such debates and discussions is the steadfast love people have for rugged cars and this holds true for India which has had a long tradition of well loved and appreciated SUV’s. Mahindra & Mahindra was one of the pioneering companies in this regard along with Tata which also brought out some really functional SUV’s. No one really remembers which was the first SUV to come out in India. However, the origin of SUV’s lay in the humble yet powerful jeeps that ruled Indian roads for many decades. Jeeps are now the sole privilege of the armed forces and very few mainstream customers.

However, there was a time when everyone had a thing for these stripped down, rugged off roaders which were powerful, functional and extremely capable. Driving a jeep tested your physical and mental abilities to the fullest. Jeeps could navigate all terrains with elan and lasted long. Their service record was impeccable and they were a huge draw with army men and civilians alike. The humble Indian jeeps gave way to SUV’s as a little more luxurious and feature rich package, albeit in a more attractive and appealing manner.

SUV’s provided the total offroading experience backed by superior handling, ride quality and increased safety. Alongside, modern day SUV’s kept practical comfort and luxury needs intact while offering a power packed ride at the same time. This was loved by Indian customers and they started purchasing modern SUV’s with gusto. Contemporary SUV’s started gaining a firm footing in India but this trend starting diminishing with increasing population inflow into major cities and the rapid urban sprawl. Alongside, the increasing number of cars on roads and shortage of adequate parking and garage space started proving to be a major hazard.

Narrow city lanes and by lanes did not quite help either. This made customers shy away from SUV’s and opt for hatchbacks or even sedans in some cases. SUV’s started losing their once coveted fan following even though they were still being bought for commercial and business purposes. They lost steam as a mainstream consumer car to be bought and used without any business, commercial or familial purposes to justify the buy. Alongside, the rising costs of SUV’s were another problem that forced car companies to produce these behemoths in limited amounts. The Indian government created new taxation laws, according to which, almost all SUV’s would be more expensive.

Car manufacturers had no choice but to pass on the burden to the customer. This made a huge dent in the sales figures of major car manufacturers and companies. As a result, the viability of SUV’s as the right choice for Indian roads began to be debated and this continues till date. There are many pros and cons to owning an SUV. Here are some of the top things you should keep in mind before buying an SUV.

The advantages of buying an SUV

Needless to say, SUV’s also offer a plethora of advantages. SUV’s are hardy and rugged cars and offer fabulous support for all terrains. They are perfect for dusty, cracked and poor roads and even hilly and mountainous areas. SUV’s can combat bad weather conditions and other obstacles with ease, being natural off roaders. Those who have a passion for off roading can only indulge this with SUV’s as they can go where no other car can.

Alongside, contemporary SUV’s come with loads of luxury features and comforts for passengers. They are packed with top end safety features as well. SUV’s are in general, safer than most other cars because of their height and body weight. They are fabulous for towing purposes and are safer to drive because of the high seating position. Alongside, their powerful engines and good fuel consumption statistics on the highway make them ideal vehicles for travelling and taking long driving trips. Moreover, SUV’s can accommodate up to seven people and even nine in some cases, making them a natural choice for people with large families.

The disadvantages of buying an SUV

As mentioned earlier, the practical impediments in our daily lives are a big bane for SUV’s in general. SUV’s are huge and therefore difficult to maneuver and park properly on roads. They cannot be easily steered into narrow lanes and by lanes. Alongside, keeping an SUV requires plenty of garage and parking space which only a few can actually afford or possess going by space constraints in congested Indian cities these days. Moreover, contemporary SUV’s are very costly and this acts as another barrier towards owning the same.

SUV’s provide great fuel economy on the highways but on congested city roads they cannot be driven fluently and therefore provide lower fuel economy. Alongside, not many are confident of being able to drive these big beasts and this is another surprising barrier for many when it comes to purchasing SUV’s. You can also look at compact SUV’s which are a big draw these days. They are smaller and a little more power packed than other compact cars. However, these cars lack the power and off roading abilities of full fledged SUV’s and they do not have that imposing road presence that many of us fall in love with. If you are okay with the huge size, parking and driving constraints and practical aspects, you should fully indulge your desire to own an SUV.