The SUV. A Toorak Tractor or Smart Urban Vehicle?

There’s been plenty of debate about the rise in popularity of 4WDs and SUVs. You can barely move a metre through suburbia without stumbling across a BMW X5, a Honda CR-V, a Hyundai Santa-Fe, a Range Rover or any other of the many SUV type vehicles on offer today.

What’s the Difference Between an SUV and 4 Wheel Drive?
SUV (Suburban Utility Vehicle) is the term used for a vehicle that has a higher seating position, generally higher road clearance and sometimes 4 wheel drive capability. Most offer really flexible seating configurations and some can seat 7 passengers. The major difference between a 4 Wheel Drive and SUV is that 4WD’s have been designed for good off road ability and towing capacity whereas some SUVs are better suited to the urban terrain as they are only 2 wheel drive.

Why Buy An SUV or 4WD?
This style of vehicle has become the choice of families and sporting people for many reasons.
1. Versatility. For every day functionality, most SUVs offer a decent amount of load space – people and other - and usually in a very versatile format.  From multiple kids and all the baggage that ensues, to bikes, pets and camping gear, the sheer space an SUV offers is a big draw card.  Like cars, SUVs can vary greatly in size and function, from 3-door four-seaters to 5-door seven-seaters and a heap of fancy configurations thanks to fold down or even pull out seats.
2. Looks. To look at and to look out of! While some people simply like the shape of an SUV, the driver visibility that a taller ride height offers can also result in a more confident ride experience. It’s certainly a very different perspective, compared to a low slung sports car. Many models also offer a short wheel or long wheel base – depending on the overall length of the vehicle. If you’re opting for a short wheel base, be sure you’re comfortable with the ride as short wheel bases can often result in more body roll.
3. Off-road capability. Although it’s likely that a good majority of SUVs bought these days never see the dust of an off road adventure, for some, it is the number one reason to buy this type of car. Many SUVs offer two wheel and four wheel drive capability along with larger, more powerful engine variants to deliver great off-road performance and towing ability. What you need to consider is whether you want a 4WD that can be driven every day, or do you want a vehicle that can cope off-road and with towing the boat or horse?

Fuel Economy
Some SUVs are guzzlers. The Porsche Cayenne, for example, gulps about 18 litres per 100 kms. The good news is that many of the latest model SUVs are offered with diesel engine variants and are competitive when it comes to fuel efficiency.  The Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi only consumes 7 litres per 100 kilometres, which is less than some small cars! If you’ve looking for something even more eco friendly, you might want to check out the SUV hybrids on the market such as the Lexus 400h.

The Choice is Yours
There is a huge choice on the market starting with the Kia Rondo from the mid $20,000’s all the way up to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. This will set you back about $280,000 for the car and about $5,500 in fuel a year!

Tips for Buying an SUV
Before jumping head first into the SUV market, consider:
- Do you need off-road capability – 4WD or 2WD?
- Just how much space do you need – 3-door, 5-door, boot space?
- How versatile is the load space – bikes, dogs etc?
- How economical is it?
- Do you need 5 or 7 seats?