SUVs are great for carrying lots of cargo and have excellent performance in harsh weather conditions. Thanks to their bigger size, they also perform well in crash tests.
There are all sorts of SUVs – some look like a small car and others drive like a sports car. The one thing they all have in common is a high driving position and often come with four-wheel drive.
Definition초보운전연수
The SUV is a car that’s raised up off the ground to provide a higher driving position. It’s also typically big, has lots of boot space and is equipped with four-wheel drive. Today, there are a wide range of SUVs available, from slightly elevated hatchbacks and estate cars to gung-ho old-school off-roaders.
Originally, the term was used to describe large vehicles with lots of passenger and luggage space that were designed to drive off-road over tough terrain. They usually had four-wheel drive and rugged looks, which is why they developed a huge following amongst people who enjoy outdoor pursuits.
Over time, however, manufacturers cottoned on to the fact that most drivers of these vehicles would spend most of their time on tarmac and they began to focus on making them more car-like in terms of performance and equipment while still maintaining their off-road capability. This led to the modern SUV as we know it. It’s now a popular way for families to transport themselves in style and comfort. The SUV is also a great choice for people who want to do some off-roading from time to time, as long as they get the right tires.초보운전연수
Benefits
SUVs are designed with versatility and power in mind. This means that they are perfect for people who want to travel on rugged outdoor adventures and transport large cargo, like bikes and tents. They also offer increased handling on bad road conditions, thanks to their four-wheel drive and high ground clearance.
They also have larger interiors, meaning they can seat up to seven passengers comfortably. This makes them ideal for family trips and weekend getaways.
Lastly, SUVs have a higher seating position than sedans, which gives drivers a better view of the road ahead. This can help drivers avoid hazards such as potholes and fallen tree branches. It can also help them spot pedestrians and other vehicles more easily when driving in busy areas.
Another benefit of SUVs is that they have more storage space than sedans, allowing them to carry large equipment such as sports gear and luggage. They can even fit a bike rack on the roof, which is useful for travelling with family and friends. They also have towing capabilities, which can come in handy if you need to haul a trailer or boat.
Style
SUVs come in a wide range of sizes, styles and capabilities. Some are more on-road oriented, like the Subaru Crosstrek and Nissan Rogue Sport. Others are geared more toward off-roading, like the Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer.
The SUV market is crowded with new technology and innovative designs that offer an array of seating options, cargo capacity and comforts. In addition to all-wheel drive, expect a wide range of safety features, including blind spot monitoring and rearview cameras, as well as rear seat entertainment systems for the kids on your next family adventure.
Purists draw a line between SUVs built on truck platforms and those built on car-based unibody chassis, which are known as crossovers. The former are typically larger and have a wagon-like extended roofline, while the latter have more of an on-road stance with lower ground clearance. However, in practice, the lines are blurry.
Power
Unlike sedans, SUVs usually use larger engines that generate more power and quicker acceleration. The extra muscle helps them overcome rough terrain and hazardous weather conditions more easily. Some SUV models even have four-wheel or all-wheel drive for a more capable ride.
The increased size of the vehicle also translates to more space inside the cabin and cargo area for passengers and gear. The cabin can be configured with multiple rows of seats for extra legroom, a spacious trunk for luggage, or both.
Some SUVs are designed for more rugged use, like the body-on-frame Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. These types of SUVs often have four-wheel or all-wheel drive and a rugged exterior for greater capability in off-road situations.
Safety
SUVs are often thought to be safer vehicles than cars because of their size and weight. However, their larger size also means they have bigger blind spots and may be more likely to crash into pedestrians. In fact, a 2022 study by Consumer Reports found that in head-on crashes between SUVs and sedans, the driver of the sedan is 7.6 times more likely to die than the SUV driver.
Additionally, SUVs are more prone to rollover accidents than small cars, though driving defensively and following the speed limit can help reduce this risk. And because some SUVs are built to haul more cargo than others, they use more fuel.
That’s why it’s important for anyone looking to purchase an SUV to compare crash-test data and safety features. The safest SUV is the Volvo XC90, which received top marks in all of IIHS’ crash tests and five-star ratings from NHTSA for both front-crash protection and side-crash protection. Its only downfall is that its headlights earned an Acceptable rating and its child seat anchors got a Poor rating.