SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) is neither a sport vehicle nor a utility vehicle but a fancy name coined by an automotive manufacturer to lure an overpaid ambitious middle class who thinks they need a 2 ton vehicle to show off their success and rule the road. Currently compact and subcompact SUV forms are dominating the automobile market in India and sedan sales are continuously dropping.
Cars are one of our most expensive possessions after home and despite there being so many different body types, makes and models, we still have our favorite dream car. In recent years, people’s old time favourite sedans are getting replaced by the big and bold SUVs. 15 to 20 Years ago people wanted the hottest new sports car and now want masculine SUV. Let’s understand why the cultural dynamic has changed.
SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) is neither a sport vehicle nor a utility vehicle but a fancy name coined by an automotive manufacturer to lure overpaid ambitious middle class who think they need a 2 ton vehicle to show off their success and rule the road. Currently compact and subcompact SUV forms are dominating the automobile market in India and sedan sales are continuously dropping.
SUV prices have also dropped in recent years comparable to competing sedans. The lower price, comfort, go anywhere capability and more space have all helped the SUVs popularity fly. This shift is observed overseas as well. Consumer shift to buy bigger vehicles is more than welcome for auto industry. For OEMs selling SUVs is more profitable than selling midsize sedans. That’s the reason all major Auto manufacturers have jumped on SUV brand wagons. There are 38 SUVs launches currently in pipeline for the year 2021 in India. Premium car makers like Mercedes, BMW and Audi are expanding their SUVs manufacturing facility.
Most of the compact and subcompact SUVs are actually crossovers but still people are loving them. Let’s understand why Luxury Range Rover to Nissan Magnite SUVs are so popular in India?
Practical and Versatile
The silver line of an SUV is higher ground clearance. They are rugged and strong. The thirst for adventure is also gaining popularity. Bigger advantage SUVs have over sedans is ground clearance which means you don’t have to worry much about hitting the bottom of your car when you are driving around villages and off roads. SUVs are versatile when it comes to practical usage in day-to-day life. It can carry more cargo, it can move people, It gives you good visibility. Driver is sitting position is high to give a better view of the road. At night when lights are on; driver have a bigger broader view of the road. You can drive freely and it is a big selling point of an SUV. The option of versatility is huge.
Car enthusiasts hate this shift as they love more fun to drive and lower ground clearance cars.
Sporty
Today there are lots of stylish options available in the SUV market. SUV Design has improved substantially. SUVs are no longer ugly and slow. In 2020 SUVs look masculine and they have attractive body lines.
Spacious and Roomy
Spacious and roomy has been a huge development in SUV. Past 15 to 20 years, SUVs have become bigger, more spacious, and they have been able to accommodate more people and more cargo. 7 or 8 seater SUVs make SUVs a great mode of transportation as people mover. Many families enjoy road trips, intercity travel and want to carry everything with them. For those families, an SUV is the perfect vehicle that not only handles the daily commute but also performs well on highways. It is easy to transport stuff like groceries, equipment and supplies in an SUV because of its cargo space and shape.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Today’s mid-size SUVs are faster than a sports car 20 years ago. Fuel efficiency has improved substantially for SUVs. Even if fuel prices rise in future automakers don’t foresee trends to swing back to normal small cars. Perhaps consumers will shift to more compact and fuel-efficient SUVs.
Safety
If you are concerned with safety many of today’s compact and subcompact SUVs perform well in crash tests baring few exceptions. Be sure to check crash test scores from Global NCAP, Asian NCAP and ARAI online. SUVs have longer crumple zones and hence there will be less forces on passengers inside. The bulky design of SUVs may better protect passengers inside but its larger mass creates an increased danger for pedestrians and passengers in small cars.
It is of utmost import to understand how much cargo and passenger space you need. As well as road conditions if you need all wheel drive. Ultimately consumers need to decide whether they need such bulky not so environmentally friendly vehicles which are marketed as lifestyle choices.