I have one hypothesis for part of the uptick: rear seat room for carseats. I consider myself the SUV hater of SUV haters, and I reject that you need one when you have kids (such is the idea in my part of the US), but...we bought one last year anyway, mainly to accommodate two rear-facing carseats with two adults in the front. There aren’t many cars that make this work, and you’d be surprised how big of an SUV you have to get to get any more rear seat space than a regular car. Not even most of the “mid-size” models.
Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
41–50 of 75 posts
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#42I have one hypothesis for part of the uptick: rear seat room for carseats. I consider myself the SUV hater of SUV haters, and I reject that you need one when you have kids (such is the idea in my part of the US), but...we bought one last year anyway, mainly to accommodate two rear-facing carseats with two adults in the front. There aren’t many cars that make this work, and you’d be surprised how big of an SUV you hav…
Pretty sure having kids is worse for the planet than driving an suv. The rest of your post makes sense though.
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#43[flagged]
I’m in the market for one. When you have two kids that are car seat age, two car seats eat up a lot of room in smaller cars. Then when you and your partner need to go somewhere, there’s barely any room for strollers and diaper bags. If they made roomier cars I’d be all for it, but they don’t. So I have to buy something that offers room. Some people don’t want to drive vans.
Families of four have comfortably taken even long journeys in VW Golfs in the past. I know, because my parents used to take us from northern Germany to Italy or Spain every summer.
Not to mention there are plenty of towns and cities where families get around by bike. Americans need to expect more from local governments!
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#44As with everything else, the answer to combating climate change is Miata.
Or a Subaru Brat for those with kids
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#45[flagged]
As a 30 year old, I buy an SUV (well, a crossover, technically) because its a good average between efficiency and carrying capacity. I don't want to have to rent a U-Haul every time I move something bigger than a breadbox. Two adult homes can presumably have a big car and a small car, and prefer to take the most efficient choice for the given trip (and have the shorter commute take the less efficient vehicle), but ge…
Congratulations for being part of the problem, then! This is a great example of how some people aren’t willing to trade even the smallest possible inconvenience, like having to rent on rare occasions, for public good.
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#46[flagged]
I remember reading somewhere that the biggest buyers of SUVs (albeit compact SUVs) are mothers / young parents who think minivans are too ugly. SUVs have lots of space for kids and a large boot to take everything from bicycles to shopping. And of course the better SUVs do have lots of safety features. Car manufacturers know this, which is why 7-seater SUVs are now a thing. Luckily they’re also working on hybrid and e…
Unless you have 3+ children, why would you need anything larger than a five-door car for basic errands/travel with family?
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#47I understand why even cheap crappy plastic SUV sell in IE AND UK so well, people are tired of speed ramps and those vehicles are great for driving through crappy roads and speed ramps in housing estates and minor roads in small towns that are cursed with speed ramps. Sitting high enough to see surrounding plus not having to slow down for speed ramps win win
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#48[flagged]
Why are you assuming it's boomers? SUVs and pickup trucks are popular across the entire age spectrum for a variety of reasons (perceived safety, cargo capacity, space and features to haul kids and their stuff around, better road visibility, etc.).
Also for some people their main car and their work care are one in the same. They need to haul their tools in the back of their truck and other things as well.
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#49I have one hypothesis for part of the uptick: rear seat room for carseats. I consider myself the SUV hater of SUV haters, and I reject that you need one when you have kids (such is the idea in my part of the US), but...we bought one last year anyway, mainly to accommodate two rear-facing carseats with two adults in the front. There aren’t many cars that make this work, and you’d be surprised how big of an SUV you hav…
Pretty sure having kids is worse for the planet than driving an suv. The rest of your post makes sense though.
This is a disgusting thing to say to someone with children. It's also not true.
Re: Soaring SUV sales keep carmakers on collision course with climate policy
#50Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is the reality. You also get cut off way less and that alone avoids plenty of accidents.
I drive a fair bit, and I'm here to tell you: The type of person who cuts another driver off does not do a lot of thinking about the relative consequences. I've seen plenty of tiny sedans with oversized tailpipes, wings and a dozen mod stickers cutting off big SUVs. Heck, they even dart in front of semis on the highway. They do not care if you're in an XC 90 instead of an S60.
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