What To Put In Mind When Buying An SUV?

Regarding car shopping, part of the research phase is asking yourself a few different questions that could help you locate the right vehicle you need. For example, buying an electric car can come with a unique set of criteria to make sure that an electric car will fit well into your lifestyle. The same goes for an SUV.

Sport-utility vehicles are by far the most popular vehicle type in the U.S. Many buyers are drawn to SUVs for their elevated ride height, all-wheel-drive, improved off-road ability, interior versatility, and/or image compared with their car counterparts. They're available in various prices and sizes, ranging from small models not much bigger than subcompact cars to extended-length giants based on pickup truck hardware. Electrified models are getting more ubiquitous, with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full EV powertrains now widely available. You should consider some aspects before spending the time, effort, and money to obtain a vehicle like one.

SUV Types

Most modern SUVs, sometimes called crossovers or crossover utility vehicles (CUVs), utilize a structure that resembles a typical car more closely than a body-on-frame truck, as was more common in the past. Cars and SUVs within a brand may even share their basic platform. As such, expect better handling and ride comfort in crossovers than in truck-based models. Usually, they offer all-wheel drive and can handle moderate off-road situations, but they aren't typically designed for more challenging off-road conditions, such as rocks, deep water, deep sand, or steep inclines. Most car-based SUVs have a modest towing capacity.

There are still some truck-based SUVs left for those looking to do more serious off-roading or towing. These body-on-frame vehicles often share components with the automaker's pickup trucks.

·       Subcompact SUVs

Price Range: $20,000 - $30,000

One of the fastest-growing categories, subcompact SUVs, offers a slightly taller alternative to similarly sized subcompact cars, with which they typically share their underpinnings.

·       Small SUVs

Price Range: $20,000 - $30,000 - Luxury models hover around $50,000 or more.

These are well-suited for drivers looking for more room than a small sedan can provide.

·       Mid Size SUVs

Price Range: $30,000 - $50,000 - Luxury models can easily surpass $60,000.

For many families, mid size SUVs provide the best balance of power, interior space, cargo room, and safety.

·       Large SUVs

Price Range: $85,000 or more

There is plenty of power, interior space, and towing capacity with large SUVs, but many are very big, bulky, clumsy, and thirsty.

After choosing the right type of SUV that suits your needs, now you should consider the following:

1.   Price:

This is the primary factor that should be considered before purchasing an SUV. Do not just look at one price tag and decide to buy it without knowing what you are getting into.

In many cases, a used car may have more value for your money since buying a new one comes with additional costs such as taxes and registration fees. On top of this, new cars depreciate quickly as soon as you purchase them.

So, if you are looking for a car that will not lose its value over time and is of good quality, then used cars can be the best option. However, this is entirely subjective to your preference and budget.

2.   Seating:

Almost all SUVs carry at least five people. Some midsized and full-sized models include a third-row seat that increases passenger capacity to six, seven, or eight. However, many three-row SUVs have limited cargo space when the third-row seats are upright. Most third-row seats can fold flat when not used or nearly so, opening up additional luggage space.

3.   Interior Cargo Space:

The SUV's versatile seating configurations mean that all the space behind the front seats is available for cargo with the second-and third-row seats folded down. Look for flat seats to get the most out of the space. SUVs usually have a higher cargo floor than minivans, making heavy loading objects difficult. On the other hand, truck-based models typically have higher maximum payload capacities, so drivers can carry more weight. Most offer power-operated, hands-free liftgates, making it easier to access the cargo bay.

4.   Safety and Active Driver Assistance Systems Technologies:

If you decided that you want an SUV and have narrowed your choices to three or four different brands, then the next part you can look into is which safety features, as well as other features, you would want.

Safety is important, and after all, that is most likely one of the reasons you want to buy an SUV in the first place. Remember that some safety features like adaptive cruise, lane assist, and rear-cross traffic alert might only be available on higher trim levels on certain cars, so ask yourself which features are most important to you.

Some of the top safety features you should look for are:

· Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – This feature helps drivers control their vehicles during accidental maneuvers by braking at individual wheels to prevent skidding and keep your vehicle on track.

· Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) – This feature prevents the wheels from locking while braking under hard or emergency conditions.

· Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – This system alerts you when your tire pressure is low, which could be dangerous if not fixed quickly.

· Traction Control System (TCS) – This feature helps drivers maintain traction to the road by controlling the torque delivered to individual wheels.

5.   Handling/Performance:

Suv's have a high center of gravity, so it is important to consider how well the vehicle handles on-road, off-road and while driving through rough conditions.

The size of the SUV also needs to be considered because larger SUVs will typically have a more powerful engine and, in turn, will be able to tow larger trailers. If you are looking for an SUV that can go off-roading often, consider one with higher ground clearance.

6.   MPG (Miles Per Gallon) Rating:

Driving your daily commute with an SUV that gets less than 18/26 mpg can be very expensive. You are burning more money on fuel compared to a sedan or even a few other SUVs in its class. Also, some higher-end SUVs are not that much more expensive than other vehicles in their class.

Ensure you highly consider the MPG rating of the SUV and if your wallet can handle it without feeling inconvenienced.

Ultimately, you should purchase an SUV that best suits your needs. Whether buying a new or used SUV, it is important to do a little homework to choose a good model and follow it up with effective negotiation.