Aren't we obsessed with SUVs?

virhlpool on 17/06/2023 - 13:40
Last edited 17/06/2023 - 14:09

A few recent comments on OzB got me thinking about what we see on our roads lately.. Even the narrow or single lane roads are usually full of giant SUVs and a handful of hatchbacks and sedans 'hidden' amidst them. This is fast becoming more common as car companies want us to buy bigger, more expensive cars. I am not sure if anyone else feels this but in my eyes, SUVs are inherently uglier (as f***!) than sedans and hatchbacks.. too bulky and heavy for my personal liking, especially considering our roads (case of the American roads could be arguably different). No matter which brand and how expensive really, they just don't look as attractive.

Also, I never understood why small families in our country (even in major cities) opt for less cost-effective, uglier and more expensive SUVs vs much nicer looking, cheaper and more cost-effective sedans or hatchbacks. Parking lots in Australia aren't even made for SUVs at the most places - sedans barely fit there. Not that everyone goes to camping every other weekend or all SUV owners need to fit in prams either. For a couple with no kids or a family with one kid, sedans (if not hatch) are perfect and so much better looking, ay! I was in Europe in last holidays and I didn't notice that many SUVs there. Beautiful hatchbacks and sedans on the roads was quite refreshing, honestly.. compared to our increasingly congested roads where all you see around you is giant SUVs driving past, all looking quite similar. Btw, I have owned SUV in the past for extended family needs and now own a hatch which I love driving around. If I don't have more space requirement, I would prefer hatch any day even for daily commuting or even reasonably long distance driving; so much easier to deal with driving and parking in our busy urban areas.

What do you all think?

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

    • Euphemistic on 18/06/2023 - 12:30
      +3

      Buying 7 seater for ‘just in case’ is a thing too. We’ve got one and occasionally use the third row. 20-30 years ago you’d just squeeze an extra person or two in the back seat no worries, no fines. Now everyone needs a seatbelt and proper seating position.

    • p1 ama on 18/06/2023 - 12:32
      +1

      You can probably see most SUV drivers up sized due to space requirements. Imagine trying to fit a pram, child seats, groceries and other stuff in a sedan.

      I'm married, I have kids, I live with family members. I drive a Camry, I easily fit a pram, child seat, groceries and a whole bunch of other stuff in the car without any issues.

      • THL on 18/06/2023 - 14:55

        That’s good for you - but not everyone can do that. SUVs have more space at the end of the day, it’s facts. So naturally people will make the choice based on their needs.

        Personally I don’t mind SUVs but if there are good wagon alternatives I would prefer them. Unfortunately there’s just not enough choices here in Australia.

        • p1 ama on 18/06/2023 - 17:58
          +1

          That’s good for you - but not everyone can do that

          I find this argument a bit ridiculous - if you can't fit a pram, child seats, groceries, and other regular items in a sedan, then you're being deliberately obtuse.

          If you want to drive an SUV, that's fine, but most people do not "need" an SUV, much less the number that actually own them.

          SUVs have more space at the end of the day

          They don't though, most SUVs are just hatchbacks on stilts. I guarantee you that if anyone were to swap a regular 5-seat SUV with a Kia Cerato for a month, they'll be perfectly fine.

          • Protractor on 18/06/2023 - 19:11
            +3

            @p1 ama: Most ppl don't don't NEED kids either. Guess what?
            Most ppl don't need lightning fast internet,multiple TVs,5 bedrooms,3 bathrooms etc etc.Guess what.
            Welcome to humans

          • THL on 18/06/2023 - 19:49

            @p1 ama:

            if you can't fit a pram, child seats, groceries, and other regular items in a sedan, then you're being deliberately obtuse.

            Come on who’s being ridiculous? You’re judging others based what you can do, according to your own circumstances. Go ask every parents with 2 kids to fit 2 child seats, prams, groceries and their own bags - would they choose a Kia Cerato or Toyota Rav 4?

            If people want more room and practicality, they go for SUVs. How’s that being obtuse?

            They don't though, most SUVs are just hatchbacks on stilts

            Now you’re showing the bias and ignoring facts. A quick Google search will tell you SUVs generally have far better leg rooms and practicality than sedans/hatchback.

            • p1 ama on 18/06/2023 - 23:35
              +1

              @THL:

              Come on who’s being ridiculous? You’re judging others based what you can do, according to your own circumstances.

              You asked for a personal opinion, i.e. "Are you married or have kids OP? Do you live with many family members?", sure I'm not OP, but just answering the original question you posed.

              Go ask every parents with 2 kids to fit 2 child seats, prams, groceries and their own bags - would they choose a Kia Cerato or Toyota Rav 4?

              I'm not talking about preferences - I'm responding directly to the point that people "need" SUVs. People do not need SUVs. I guarantee you if you drove a Kia Cerato for a month, your life would be exactly the same except for not being able to show off to the parents' group that you drive an SUV too.

              Now you’re showing the bias and ignoring facts. A quick Google search will tell you SUVs generally have far better leg rooms and practicality than sedans/hatchback.

              Oh really now? https://www.truedelta.com/Toyota-RAV4-vs-Toyota-Camry-specs-…

              Front row legroom:
              Camry - 1,069mm
              RAV4 - 1,041mm

              Rear legroom:
              Camry - 965mm
              RAV4 - 960mm

              Whoopsies ;)

              • blaque on 19/06/2023 - 09:05
                +1

                @p1 ama: I drive a camry too, a hybrid 2012 model and the boot space is tiny - can only fit a full-size pram (try multiple prams at baby bunting) and that's that in the boot, other items will probably go in the passenger seat if there is no one there. Yes plenty of legroom but sadly not very practical, may seem unreasonable but just the way it is

                • p1 ama on 19/06/2023 - 20:51
                  +1

                  @blaque: Yes, but the point is that you manage just fine. I'm not arguing that sedans are "more practical" than SUVs, just that people do not "need" SUVs and that most can survive with smaller, more economical, safer cars.

                  • CurlCurl on 20/06/2023 - 09:23

                    @p1 ama:

                    just that people do not "need" SUVs and that most can survive with smaller, more economical, safer cars.

                    I see shades of China and North Korea in your statement.

                    Sheesh. How the hell do you know what I, my next door neighbour, my mate in the next suburb or anyone else needs?

      • Mahalo on 18/06/2023 - 20:38

        Have you ever driven a bigger car?

  • gleamnite on 18/06/2023 - 12:29
    +2

    I replaced my coupe with an SUV in large part because I was sick of being blinded from in front and behind by modern "low beams" at my eye level from SUVs.

    If you can't beat 'em, join 'em…

    • Thinkscape on 19/06/2023 - 09:55
      +2

      You’ve literally described the crux here.
      This idiotic approach led us to where we are now … urban wankpanzer arms race.

      • gleamnite on 19/06/2023 - 12:32

        Yes; though I hope that you're not literally calling ME an idiot! It became a safety issue for me; driving unlit bush/country roads at night, going around corners with extremely bright lights in my eyes and unable to actually see where I was going.

        • Thinkscape on 20/06/2023 - 09:01

          Nah mate, I sympathise. However that is NOT a solution, it's an arms race.
          While being blinded by road trains, utes and other vehicles with poorly adjusted headlights is a problem, the bigger safety issue is more people driving overweight, poorly handling, polluting trucks that are a grave danger to pedestrians and other drivers.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN7mSXMruEo

  • zeoko on 18/06/2023 - 12:36
    +2

    I like SUVs and we are a small family. The SUVs are great on utility. Lots of boot space, which can be extended to a great degree to fit a lot of things. I do use my SUV for furniture transport which we buy on Marketplace etc. When we go for weekend getaways we have lots of space to take things with us. It isn't cramped inside like a sedan. I'm never going back to a sedan ever. For a family, SUVs are great. For individuals, I don't know.

  • LFO on 18/06/2023 - 13:05

    Not so much obsessed but "strongly induced" to get them:

    Dealers have always stock on cheap (cheaply made, expensive to buy) SUVs
    Our streets/roads are infected with gigantic pickup trucks, 4X4 and SUVs. So timid buyers want to buy something equally large/intimidating.
    Obesity is a reality and obese people prefer larger truck-like vehicles: high ride in and out of the vehicle.

    Unfortunately dealers decided what we get.

    Doesn't matter a compact but incredible spacious vehicle like a Mercedes Benz Smart or Citröen Ami, etc etc are available, they are not imported.
    And it doesn't end there. Try to get a low cost two (2) door vehicle, a good old coupe. Plenty around the world but not here.

  • Ciderfizz44 on 18/06/2023 - 13:20
    +2

    Wagon ftw

  • gakko on 18/06/2023 - 14:16
    +1

    Cars should be taxed on tare weight (weight of the empty vehicle). That way people can still block my view of the road conditions, but at least they have to pay $ for it.

    • FoxJump on 19/06/2023 - 12:43
      +1

      They are — on rego.

      • gakko on 19/06/2023 - 13:56
        +2

        oh awesome! I'll have a closer look and find something new to complain about

        • FoxJump on 19/06/2023 - 18:14

          yes rego cost includes a weight tax. at least it does in NSW

  • bwad on 18/06/2023 - 15:13

    Strange post OP, I had sedans all my life (Holden Calais mainly) until they stopped making them. In 2020 I bought my first SUV.

    Reasons: I'm 198cm tall, I fit in barely any vehicles comfortably without hitting my head on the roof and legs under the steering wheel. I have chronic back issues and having a higher car to exit/enter from is a godsend. I live in a large city but go out country every 6 months I have to carry equipment and goods, also I don't want to get hit by another car or truck in a small hatchback. Many other reasons, so don't be too quick to judge why people are driving them. It was a no brainer for me.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 14:56

      Imo I don't think it's a hugely strange post.

      You've got great reasons for one. Op isn't attacking people with them more observing a trend.

      I totally respect that they're more comfortable for most people. I do find it sucks a little bit when it comes to cost and emissions. They're typically more fuel intensive and therefore use more fuel and more emissions than equivalent year and power/weight ratio cars. So they tend to cost more to buy and run. That said parts on smaller cars are starting to become harder to get as they get less common.

  • bowdo on 18/06/2023 - 15:40

    I don't think it's obsession with SUV's as much as a lack of other viable options like wagons. I love my BF falcon wagon, but it's a now a 15 year old car. The latest alternative is a holden SV6 ending in 2017.

    What am I left with? Either a sedan, a ford ranger (overkill) or an SUV. The other middle niche is just gone.

    • Ghost47 on 18/06/2023 - 16:27

      WRX Sportswagon?

    • gakko on 19/06/2023 - 13:58
      +1

      The SUV just makes too much sense for manufacturing. Why have 2 models to suit mum-n-dad and practical-bob when you can make one which more or less does both. The market forces have also pushed them that way with demand for SUVs just being up there versus the old station wago.
      I don't like big rig SUVs at all either, but the only silver lining is that a lot of SUV models are shrinking down to be basically a chunky hatchback.

      • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 14:57
        +1

        I also think with small cars it was a race to the bottom in terms of price. At one point many manufacturers had a small car that was sub 20k, there's a lot more margin on an SUV and they kinda leveraged people into trying one. After driving one for a bit you kinda feel like you're back in a gokart driving a small car.

  • hasher22 on 18/06/2023 - 16:30
    +1

    I definitely seen and assume SUVs in any size have been popular in Australia and is now increasingly popular. Funny enough, I am adding to the stat as my 2005 Yaris Hatch was rear ended and was totalled, so I decided to get a Mazda Cx3 while it's a small SUV, the larger ones are on the roads more.

    It's also car manufactuers pushing the SUV agenda on us.

    According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries stats, the top 10 models sold in Australia in 2022, 8 out of 10 were SUVs. Another stat shows more than 50% of new vehicles sold in 2022 were SUVs.

    So OP, you're not wrong.

    • Protractor on 18/06/2023 - 19:22

      and I will wager that in that 2022 data era, the 50% were way safer,more economical and roomier than the ones that keep getting quoted here in studies that are bagging SUVs.
      Cars are getting these basic improvements on every generation. Pretty sure car regos on SUVs are more expensive so that means more money for safer roads for the minority non SUVS doesn't it?
      SUVs are like big TVs . To begin with every man & his cavoodle canned them as over the top, unnecessary,guzzlers etc. Spin fwd and then today, how's that looking?
      I recall Straya has an energy conscience back around 2009-2010 and to the point where we cared about consumption, energy efficiency, efficient hose design etc, so much the govt was running courses to educate the masses and train ppl to audit houses to assist in reducing energy bills and improving comfort. As soon as the LNP got in, we started wasting and DILLIGAF'ing again. And here we are.
      The care factor today is single digit %

      • Vancomycin 1000mg on 20/06/2023 - 00:31

        Imagine comparing a shitbox, large, tastless, oversized shopping trolley to a stunning, beautiful crisp picture quality of 75" OLED TV.

        • Protractor on 20/06/2023 - 10:04
          +1

          Sorry, I'll use puffer jackets, next time

  • ColtNoir on 18/06/2023 - 17:06
    +2

    Mid size SUV’s are one of the big sellers for a reason.
    I’d never go back to a sedan, especially after moving up the coast. It’s almost a must have to deal with the poor roads so you can drive without having to angle out of some of the roads/potholes.
    To the point of needing a larger car. I had a Mazda 3 and a hilux at one point. You don’t get bullied nearly as much by tradies/utes in a larger car than you do when you’re in a smaller car. Another reason I’d not go back.
    Mid size SUV’s are a good balance for when I’m in the city and up the coast.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 14:59

      That said I've heard if you toss a pink numberplate on your SUV you might as well be in a jazz to a lot of the ute drivers lol.

      • ColtNoir on 21/06/2023 - 10:04

        Note to self, no pink number plates.

        On another note, Ford Ranger drivers (newer ones) will take on anything, including semi-trailers.

  • jacross on 18/06/2023 - 17:14
    +6

    Wagons are the far better choice for 99% of city SUV drivers but you didn't even mention them. The segment is dead from a marketing standpoint and that's a big part of the problem.

    • Thinkscape on 19/06/2023 - 09:58
      +2

      Drives less money for OEMs, less money for the whole chain (fuel, parts, service, insurance etc) 💰

      Better to advertise an overweight wankpanzer that a “real man would buy” or a soccer mum that “cares about their family safety” 🤮

    • ColtNoir on 21/06/2023 - 10:05

      On my rego renewal my Cx-5 is considered a wagon. They’re just taller now.

      • jacross on 21/06/2023 - 11:08

        It's clearly and unequivocally a compact crossover SUV. As a bureaucrat I'm very comfortable paying no attention to Government registration classifications but in a world with wagons and SUVs the design of the cargo space of the CX-5 clearly places it as an SUV.

        The higher ride is a meaningful and useful difference criteria though. For example the difference between my wagon (a Liberty) and the Outback (classed as an SUV in many cases) is only that the Outback is higher and has some cladding.

  • xmeister2k2 on 18/06/2023 - 17:28
    +5

    After browsing through the message I've noticed no one has mentioned people movers/mini vans.

    I've noticed a lot of reference to 'SUV's are maybe what people want'. What people don't understand that it's not what you want, it's what companies want to sell/market to you.

    To a certain degree, car companies have always marketed what they want to sell to you, and not necesarrily what makes sense. SUV's is a perfect example since they have been pushed globally as the only option.

    You were marketed how Commodores and Falcons were 'built to Australian conditions'. What exactly did that mean?

    In the case of people movers Australia has always gotten at best 2nd rate choice. It was either Tarago, Odyssey and eventually Carnival. Otherwise it was commercial vehicles such as Sprinters and Caddies.

    If you drove around North America in late 80s/90s and early 2000s they are everywhere. They were close to 9% of US market in 90s and now down to 2%. GM no longer makes mainstream passenger sedans/hatchbacks (if you don't count Cadillac/Corvette).

    Google Toyota Sienna in the US and tell me if you'd rather be in that or a mid-sized 7 seater SUV. More practical, can haul more stuff for equivalent size and cheaper to maintain.

    SUV's with all wheel drive capability are inherently more expensive to maintain and has less useful space than equivalent sized people mover.

    • ColtNoir on 23/06/2023 - 11:43

      When they stopped making Tarago’s the people movers stopped existing to me, lol.
      Long love the Tarago!

  • Bid Sniper on 18/06/2023 - 17:40
    +2

    Be hard pressed to find a cool wagon these days. Enthusiasts wagons are very expensive niche cars. Shame because these would be ideal. They are narrow but long so can fit lot of stuff but not take up lot of road width.

    Chicken and egg, manufacturers offer SUVs mainly and phase out smaller vehicles due to profit margins. They dont make the smaller vehicles intresting so people buy SUVs.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 15:01
      +1

      Yeah this too. A lot of small cars I noticed lacked the features of many base level SUVs. A lot of small cars were competing on price point so I think many features were getting cut out.

      Even a new station wagon almost just seems like an old car lol. But I agree, they're super practical.

  • Gabbatron44 on 18/06/2023 - 17:44
    +5

    Can't stand the SUV craze. Cars that are heavier and thus use more fuel, handle poorly, are slower to brake and go through brake pads faster due to the weight. They are higher which makes them corner poorly. The worse of the lot are the SUVs that are just regular cars jacked up on stilts or added plastic side panels to make them look SUV. Car parks full of SUVs that the car park lines were never designed for these giant SUVs and having them take up so much room it's hard to get out of a car. Doesn't take much for an misparked SUV to ruin it for the car park next to them. I hate not being able to see in front of them or when turning left at intersections and a giant SUV is there going straight blocking any view.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 15:04

      The lights on them when they're behind you are shit too. I drove one as a replacement while my car was in for repairs and the lights were so damn bright I thought I had high beams on. I also double checked and that wasn't the case. Double checked the flood lights were also off, but I can kinda see how people accidentally turn them on everytime they drive.

      Idk at least when I complain about the cost of living and fuel I'll know I'm not driving something that is unnecessarily fuel inefficient lol.

  • Cusack on 18/06/2023 - 17:57
    +2

    Next topic will be why people are obsessed with larger houses

    • Protractor on 18/06/2023 - 19:13

      Start at the beginning.
      Why are people.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 15:14

      Lol yes.

      "I spend all weekend cleaning my 5 bedroom, poorly layed out house and I married someone that just plays video games. What can I do?"

      Imo I understand larger land properties if you like growing fruit and veges, but even then I'd be aiming for something that I could run the robo lawn mower on. Go dog free then you don't need to worry about that.

      There's your next topic, why are people obsessed with owning animals.

  • CryssieJade on 18/06/2023 - 20:19
    +5

    I don't know. Maybe 'we' are obsessed with SUV's. I'm not. All I care about is fuel efficiency, safety and space for a couple of kiddos.

    I drive a 1.8L station wagon - the classic, efficient, spacious family car. Keep it simple 🙂

    I've only ever owned wagons or hatchbacks, and I'll never change from that.

    • CurlCurl on 18/06/2023 - 20:29

      I'm happy for you.

  • Mahalo on 18/06/2023 - 20:32

    I have two 4x4 which are bigger than SUVs. I like them. I also have a sedan and I’m going to sell it. Sedan is a lot faster on the road but feels too close to the ground when I’m driving it.
    I also go camping and need powerful wheels to tow the van and I think they look great.

  • altitudinous on 18/06/2023 - 21:19

    You are young. One day you will learn that it is easier to get in and out of a high driving position as it reduces pain, and there are other reasons to drive other than going to and from work and school runs.

    Until then.

    • Brianqpr on 18/06/2023 - 23:49
      +1

      Most SUVs are driven by relatively young people though.

      • Hackney on 19/06/2023 - 06:37

        Rubbish.

        • Brianqpr on 19/06/2023 - 11:20
          +1

          By relatively young I mean 45 or under. Usually people with kids, for obvious reasons. Had one myself when our kids were younger.

          Well put argument though.

    • Hackney on 19/06/2023 - 06:38
      -1

      @ Altitudinous, Spot on.

  • bobolo on 18/06/2023 - 21:32
    +1

    I own probably the stupidest SUV on the planet - a G wagon

    bulky on the outside, tiny on the inside, averaging around 20l/100km, won't fit into most carparks due to height, cost $1300 to service, everyone thinks you're a drug dealer or an a**hole

    And I love it.

    • jacross on 20/06/2023 - 08:08

      HAHA I looked that up and I hate it so much. If you want a jeep, get a jeep.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 15:08

      At the cost of a good house deposit I'd never want to admit to owning one lol. But I'd imagine it'd be great to drive, in an empty street haha. I think your description matches it perfectly, so at least you're a self aware arsehole.

  • Brianqpr on 18/06/2023 - 22:18
    +4

    It's not SUVs that are the issue, it's all the pig ugly giant Utes everywhere. Horrible looking things that you can't see past.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 19/06/2023 - 09:14

      Looking at you, Amarok - or whatever it’s called.

      It’s also a killer in accidents with most other vehicles, absolute murder weapon.

      • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 15:09
        +1

        Total shit car. I drove one at one point in time. Fantastic on corners and driving and all that but longevity wise it had nothing. It sounds shit when it's driving too lol.

        • WhyAmICommenting on 20/06/2023 - 17:40
          +1

          My wife backed into one in our Rio. They’re so high at the back it didn’t register on the rear alert beeper thing 😂 $800 later…

    • Flying owl on 19/06/2023 - 11:07
      +1

      This.
      Unless you are a tradees that need this for work, there is no reason to drive this monstrosities.

      Plus most people who drive this drives like a maniac.

  • Tleaves on 18/06/2023 - 23:40

    I would say we have more families than couples..?
    And I personally love costco and ikea - it's not that easy to go shopping and stuff all in a small hatchback.

    • jacross on 20/06/2023 - 08:09

      Wagon.

    • lancesta on 20/06/2023 - 15:15

      To be fair I can see the point here but it's often still cheaper to get things delivered from IKEA or whatever when it won't fit in the small car than the cost of a larger car. But yeah the hassle sucks

  • sathion on 19/06/2023 - 00:17
    +2

    There has been a huge shift in the market in terms of who is bring out which type of car.

    Most seem to be selling SUV's or large emotional support vehicles.

    Some still have a Sedan but they price them higher than a SUV and barely any of the major brands are bringing in any Hatches these days.

  • Hackney on 19/06/2023 - 06:36
    +2

    I have had close to 60 cars since having a licence(late sixties, early seventies) mostly if not all sedans, coupes & wagons.Latest? Small/Medium SUV.Why? Ingress & Egress,(back issues are also alleviated in many ways)it is without adoubt one of the most comfortable vehicles I have ever owned.I do also have a small sedan,for a runaround.Would I ever purchase a ‘normal’ car? Not likely.You name it I have probably owned it.So, to all you ‘anti’ SUV people out there, move on.They are popular for a reason, extremely versatile.That is what the purchasing public want, if they didn’t, would you not think sedans/wagons would sell so much better? Yup, go ahead & ‘downvote’ me because I am sure you will.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 19/06/2023 - 09:13
      +1

      No, I won’t. While I don’t think SUVs should be a fashion item, your comment makes a lot of sense.

      • Hackney on 19/06/2023 - 10:17

        Thx for that kind comment. I purchased mine for specific reasons, & not because they are the ‘flavour’ of the month.

    • FoxJump on 19/06/2023 - 12:40

      +1 on this.
      My 79 yo father can get into the Pajero easier than the Subaru XV; and definitely easier than the Prius C we used to have.
      Why?
      the jesus handle on the A-pillar of the Pajero and the step.

    • jacross on 20/06/2023 - 08:10
      +1

      Being crippled is a legitimate reason.

  • CuteWittleCorgi on 19/06/2023 - 08:31

    If I hit a kangaroo, I know what kind of car I'd rather be in (a Tesla Model Y SUV - one of the safest cars in the world).

    There's hardly any wildlife in Europe.

    • mapax on 19/06/2023 - 09:35
      -1

      You’ve got to be trolling, no one has sniffed enough Musk to be so delusional to think that a model Y is better in roo country than a 70 series with a 5 poster.

      • Bigsta on 19/06/2023 - 09:52
        +1

        Actually it might be,

        Teslas have bullet proof glass in the front and a very low center of gravity due to the battery, almost impossibile to roll them, i think if you slamed on the brakes and did not swerve in a 70 series and you had the mesh style bar that protected the raditator etc then yeah you would be fine but i think if the roo went under the 70 series or through the bar the tesla would come off better as there is no critical systems in the front and most likely the car would have stopped or avoided it for you.

        • mapax on 19/06/2023 - 09:57
          +1

          Nah, the yobbos with 5 posters don’t slam on the brakes for a roo. Part of my job is to remove roadkill and heavy steel bars just obliterate the relative fragile bones of a roo, if they were talking about buffalo or cattle it might be a different story.

          • Ultimate Gattai on 19/06/2023 - 20:09

            @mapax: Can confirm, I have driven behind these people when they hit animals despite having the time to slow down or stop (there's no way they didn't see that Kangaroo bouncing alongside the road for 10m plus). It looks really violent when they do hit them, and it doesn't always kill them outright either, so they're left half-dead on the road.

        • FoxJump on 19/06/2023 - 12:37

          you slow down and then accelerate just before roadkill impact.
          reduces the chance of ending up with a kangaroo body part on your face - cos the car nose goes up a bit.

  • Name on 19/06/2023 - 09:09
    +3

    For me it's about space and features - I can't take my sedan/hatchback off road and I can't fit all my camping gear inside a hatchback. I also do a lot of DIY work around the house and while I can fit a 1800x900mm sheet of ply in the back of my SUV I can't fit it into a sedan/hatch. I also can fit 2800mm lengths of lumber inside the suv too. I do have roof-racks but its just easier to load inside the cabin and the roof racks only have a 60kg load limit which can be easily exceeded once you get a lot of lumber/ply.

    /edit - i used to have a wagon but the newer model wagons have a smaller boot opening which prevents fitting in a lot of larger width products.

    /edit 2 - i also don't have any issues parking / driving around with it. I think that it is a non-issue as parking spaces are designed to be roughly 5.4m long and 3.3m wide - so regardless of the car you drive (unless it's a truck) you shouldn't have problems parking unless you just generally aren't good at parking/driving.

  • Bigsta on 19/06/2023 - 09:46

    BIGGER IS BETTER!!

  • netjock on 19/06/2023 - 10:24

    You need to thank SUV drivers. If it weren't for them interest rates would be 10% because everyone will have too much money.

  • mavis30551 on 19/06/2023 - 10:56
    +4

    we are the fattest country in the world (citation needed).

    Fat people dont like having to bend up and down on low cars.

    SUV's are for fattys

    • kokita on 19/06/2023 - 18:23
      +2

      I agree and that's me!!!!

      I can't enter small and low cars easily.

  • Flying owl on 19/06/2023 - 11:09

    I like my CX-5, it's spacious and I can always chucked my stuffs at the back of the car.

    I would buy a luxury sedan if I can afford it, but for the same purchase price, their maintenance would be way higher than my CX-5.

  • FloatingPoint on 19/06/2023 - 12:31
    +2

    I think the real problem is those oversized 4WD and/or with huge bull bar roaming in the city. They have their place in the bush, but driving these monsters in the city is just plain dangerous, especially to pedestrian.
    Looking at DCOA videos the drivers of those monsters are always the trouble makers. They think they have extra right on the road.

    • Dunks on 19/06/2023 - 13:31

      Any car is dangerous. Any car can kill someone. Pedestrians can also walk on the road at times, thinking the world must stop for them even when there is no crossing.

      • FloatingPoint on 20/06/2023 - 15:22

        So what is your point?
        What I meant is in case of any accident a large car with bull bar is more likely to kill pedestrian even at low speed.

  • trapper on 19/06/2023 - 12:42
    +4

    Once you have a few kids a SUV does actually make a big difference.

    It might be pretty empty when doing a school run, but that's not the only purpose of the vehicle.

    It will be packed full of stuff for a family holiday or camping trip.

  • Ipodisclassic on 19/06/2023 - 12:45
    +1

    I completely disagree. I’m assuming you’ve binge watched that “Not Just Bikes” urbanist YouTuber who claims that we should all sell our cars and commute to work using cargo bikes. But the reality is that SUVs being popular is not because there’s some shadowy cabal pushing them on people but rather people actually find them the most versatile car.

    I just bought my first car (Mitsubishi ASX) and I absolutely love it. I was initially looking at small hatches but decided that a bigger car would probably be the better option for the long term. I can comfortably seat 4 adults and have a decent amount of boot space. (This would be a squeeze in a hatchback). Or I can fold the rear seats down and have massive amounts of space to transport something like a washing machine. This would be completely impossible in something like a sedan. The fuel economy is pretty much the same. The higher driving position is easier to get in and out and the bigger physical size much it much more comfortable on a long trip. I’m sure the car “isn’t as fun to drive” or whatever but I don’t care. It’s just so much more practical for what I use my car for then a hatch or a sedan.

    “Get a station wagon.” I personally find station wagons ugly. The longer length makes them annoying to park and they have a far wider turning circle.

  • seannami on 19/06/2023 - 12:57
    +2

    We also have this habit of over-categorising cars as SUVs (a lot of small SUVs are kinda tall-ish hatches, some of the Telsas are listed as SUVs are more sedans). That may skew things a little bit- people are buying the least SUV looking SUVs (Corolla cross, Atto, Tesla X etc), but they are listed as being SUVs, so they make more SUVs or name things SUVs (MG4 is listed as an SUV in a few places and it's definitely a hatch).

    Spose you also end up at a tipping point- You end up trying to turn out of a street, but every time you are blocked by a mum-tank. You go to get your next car, are frustrated enough with being stuck between or next to these things and not being able to see that you want a higher position to compensate and poof, another SUV.

    I think the argument in the thread is mainly mid-large SUVs vs other cars (small SUV included). Other than being kinda boxy, not sure anyone is fussed about the size of a ZS, Cross model Corolla or a JUKE or whatever.

    I have to admit, I wasn't likely to get a small hatch anyway, but mainly because I need the space for Bunnings runs and stuff as I am in the middle of a sloooow house DIY, but a full sedan or mid+ SUV was going to be way too big so a small SUV was fairly spot on.

  • payless69 on 19/06/2023 - 13:07
    +2

    Norway is wealthy thanks to oil production and sales. Norway fosters the use of EV's with over 50% of new regos are EV's. Plenty of hydro and well insulated houses to have power to charge cars. No road fees for electric cars, less noise, more comfort.
    France has mandated huge taxes on larger engines. Banned short flights and made fast trains.
    Australia sells coal to India of questionable quality.
    China insight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SEfwoqKRU8

    • gfjh567gh3 on 20/06/2023 - 11:32
      +1

      Norway "fosters" - you mean, coerces the population by making ICE unaffordable with even more taxes
      France went all in on Diesel a few years ago, and had to backtrack.
      People are very cranky with Londons emmissions taxes
      Citizens aren't using EVs because they WANT to, they go to it due to Government 'incentize' i.e. it's not a market force.
      There's probably going to be a (failed) hydrogen push soon
      That said, I'm a fan of hybrids
      I do wish Australia "added more value" to our iron ore and coal… we should really have a world class nuclear program as well.

  • Dunks on 19/06/2023 - 13:30

    The bigger the better.

  • Bignudge on 19/06/2023 - 14:05

    Higher up and roomier :)

  • Emilia on 19/06/2023 - 14:12

    And here I am with my RAV 4 and Corolla Hatchback.

  • rmb112 on 19/06/2023 - 14:46

    I completely agree. The soccer-mum car pandemic has hit us hard… I recently saw a Mazda car review that pretty much said the SUV has less space (passenger and Luggage) than the sedan… I think it was between a mazda 6 and CX-5? I don't understand the dynamic of 1-2 child families needing a SUV. My parents got around fine in their commodore with a 4 child family.

    • mapax on 19/06/2023 - 15:51

      Didn’t the commodore only have 5 seats? How did it fit 6 people?

      • seannami on 19/06/2023 - 16:17
        +1

        Draw straws for the roof rack…

        My family used to do Melbourne to Gold Coast driving holidays every year. Me, brother, 2 weeks worth of luggage all in the back. We did it, we survived, it sucked but we lived. We also had two large dogs so when they came with us it was an experience… Of course if anyone was going in the dicky seat or similar third class options, it wasn't the dogs.

  • jakeau on 19/06/2023 - 15:13
    -2

    OP's post - everything wrong with the internet.

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