SUV Buying Guide: Here's What You Should Consider

SUV vehicles are everywhere nowadays, all coming out with different shapes, sizes, and uses.

If you are in the market to buy an SUV, here is a SUV buying guide for you. According to MotorTrend, the abbreviation "SUV" stands for "Sport Utility Vehicle."

A taller roof, an elevated seating position, a vehicle with a higher height, and a cargo area that is open to the cabin are the general defining characteristics of an SUV.

These characteristics were essential to the development of early SUVs, which were designed to be more robust and utilitarian than cars at the time.

This is also the case with the vast majority of SUVs on the market today, which can be recognized by their larger bodies.

There are a variety of SUVs on the market nowadays, some of which are small and car-like in appearance, which increases their appeal for everyday use at the expense of their ability to go off-road. There are also large SUVs, midsized SUVs, and small SUVs.

What to Consider When Buying an SUV

• Seating

When buying an SUV, the first thing you should consider is your preferred seating capacity for the vehicle. Most of the SUVs on the market nowadays have the capacity to transport at least five passengers.

The passenger capacity of some midsized and full-sized models can be increased to six, seven, or even eight by including a third-row seat in the vehicle. However, there are caveats when you choose to install third-row seats.

This will consume more space from your back cargo, which makes the cargo space of your vehicles a little bit smaller. When buying an SUV, you need to consider how many people you shuttle or use your car with on an everyday basis.

• 2WD vs. AWD vs. 4WD

According to Consumer Reports, a consideration you need to make when buying SUVs is to make a decision if you will choose a 2WD, AWD, or 4WD.

The majority of SUVs based on cars have a front-drive basis and can be had with all-wheel drive. Although they seem similar and both supply power to all four wheels, AWD and 4WD are not quite the same.

Consumer Reports describes, "AWD is a lighter-duty system that stays permanently engaged or one that automatically routes power between the front and rear wheels as needed."

Through drive modes or differential locks, some more recent systems let the driver make independent changes. AWD often works well for navigating common inclement weather and rough terrain.

Traditional 4WD SUVs are becoming increasingly hard to find. For navigating challenging off-road terrain like boulders or steep dirt hills, they typically have strong low-range gearing. Look for automatic 4WD that can automatically engage based on the situation.

When choosing what type of SUV you will buy, you also need to consider the location where you are planning to drive your SUV. Are you going off-roading? Do you live in a tropical climate? Or do you live in an area where there could be snow buildup?

• Cargo

The cargo space might be something you also want to consider when it comes to buying an SUV. Some of you might be buying SUVs because of the space they offer. However, not all SUVs have the same cargo space.

Because the SUV's seating can be configured in a variety of different ways, the space behind the front seats can be utilized for cargo even when the second and third rows of seats are folded up.

It is advisable for buyers to look for seats that can be folded down in order to make the most of the available room. When compared to minivans, SUVs typically have a cargo floor that is higher, which can make loading heavy objects more challenging.

Truck-based models, on the other hand, typically have higher maximum payload capacities than car-based models, allowing drivers to transport a greater amount of weight. The majority provide power-operated, hands-free liftgates, which simplify the process of gaining access to the cargo area.

• Drivability

Another feature of the car you need to consider before buying is its drivability. When you are used to driving a sedan, switching to an SUV will feel very different.

It's possible that the vehicle's handling will feel relatively heavy due to its larger size and higher ride. Check to see if the vehicle squats or dives under high acceleration as well as forceful braking.

If you are a new driver or a driver switching to an SUV, most drivers will not have any trouble getting used to it, but you shouldn't assume that driving an SUV will be the same as driving a regular car all the time.

• Parking

Lastly, when buying an SUV or any car in particular, one should consider the parking space. A designated parking space where the car can be protected from heavy rain, storms, or snow is also advantageous.

Considering the parking space will also be beneficial since SUVs are generally much bigger than other small cars.