Should we still be buying SUVs?

No

1 of 35

by Bonnie Ralph

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

As gas prices continue to increase in proportion to the decreasing supply of oil reserves, a question still managing to plague U.S. consumers is whether or not SUVs are a smart buying decision. The picture SUVs paint in the minds of consumers is more negative than ever, considering today's knowledge of global warming, rollover accidents, and poor fuel economics.

Studies have been taken since the controversy surrounding the vehicles, and most of them point toward the same conclusions. "SUVs inflict more harm on occupants than other cars do because of their size and weight, sport utility vehicles can cause considerable damage to smaller passenger cars in side-impact crashes" (Reuters). "SUVs do not provide superior protection for child occupants and that age- and size-appropriate restraints and rear seating for children under 13 years are critically important because of the increased risk of a rollover death an SUVs increased risk of rolling over during a crash offset the safety benefits associated with larger, heavier-weight vehicles" (Mortensen).

Other risks in owning an SUV include the increased risk of off-road accidents, and the habitual non-use seatbelts. "Unfortunately, many people who are killed (especially in rollovers) many times are not wearing safety belts" (Reuters). Due to the fallacy that SUVs are bigger, have more safety features, and are otherwise indestructible, passengers do not wear seatbelts as often as they do in cars which causes a much higher risk of injury or fatality.

Although SUVs do pose serious physical threats during accidents, recent models have begun to offer more safety features with better benefits to consumers. "SUVs are becoming more popular as family vehicles because they can accommodate multiple child safety seats" (Mortensen). They have more seating, more space, and better capacity for hauling groceries and other household items.

Some of the most popular SUV models today include the Honda Element, the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Ford Escape, the Mercury Mariner, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, and the Subaru Forester. As for gas mileage, according to Wickell, the 2005 Honda CR-V averages between 21-29 miles per gallon. The 2005 Toyota RAV4 averages between 22-30 miles per gallon. The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid averages approximately 40 miles per gallon, by far the most of all 2005 models available (2007).

The 2007 Honda Element's reviews seem to be mostly positive. "Element's rear passenger doors are half-size clamshell doors that hinge at the rear. The front door has to be open before the rear doors can be, and there's no 'B' pillar between the doors" (Fogelson). Safety features include an electronic stability control, traction control, advanced airbag features, 4-wheel ABS, child seat lower anchorage, energy management feature, side airbags, rear seat head restraints, and tire pressure monitors (Automotive.com). Reviews of most 2007 SUV models state the same features.

Pricing comparisons between two models from the same manufacturer, one SUV model and one car model, reveal differences which every consumer should weigh against all options, features, and benefits. According to the Cars Direct website, the 2007 Honda Element LX (Front Wheel Drive) costs $17,782. The Honda Civic DX 4-door Sedan costs $15,305. The 2007 Ford Escape XLS Manual 2.3L 4-door Front Wheel Drive SUV costs $16,234, versus the 2007 Ford Focus SE 4-door sedan which costs $13,070. In both cases, the SUV models are only a few grand more than the car models.

The lingering question in the minds of consumers is: do the positives outweigh the negatives? Many sedan-style cars have similar safety features without the risk of rollover, mechanical failure, high gas fill-ups, and issues. Also, hatch-back vehicles have adequate storage space with the possibility of additional rear seating capacity. Considering the extra expense, SUVs are not worth the worry. However, it is a decision every consumer must make individually, with heavy research in mind.

References:

Automotive.com. (2007). 2007 Honda Element Crash Tests. Retrieved July 4, 2007, from: http://www.automotiv e.com/2007/12/honda/ element/safety/index .html

CarsDirect website. (2007). Compare Cars. Retrieved July 4, 2007, from: http://www.carsdirec t.com/research/compa reresults?acodes=USB 70HOS041A0,USB70HOC0 21A0

Consumer Reports website. (2007). What to look for in an SUV. Retrieved July 4, 2007, from: https://www.consumer reports.org/cro/cars /what-to-look-for-in -an-suv-1205/overvie w/index.htm

Fogelson, J. (2007). 2007 Honda Element SC. Retrieved July 4, 2007, from: http://suvs.about.co m/od/honda/fr/07_Hon daElejf.htm

Mortensen, D. (2006). SUVs No Safer than Passenger Cars for Children, New Study Finds. Retrieved July 4, 2007, from: http://www.prnewswir e.com/cgi-bin/micro_ stories.pl?ACCT=1596 81&TICK=CHOP&STORY=/ www/story/01-03-2006 /0004241179&EDATE=Ja n+3,+2006

Reuters. (2003). Report: SUVs pose danger to cars. Retrieved, July 4, 2007 from: http://www.cnn.com/2 003/TECH/ptech/02/26 /hearing.suv.reut/in dex.html

Wickell, D. (2007). Top 9 Compact & Mid-size SUVs with the Best Fuel Economy Ratings. Retrieved July 4, 2007, from: http://trucks.about. com/od/suvreviews/tp /best_gas_rating.htm

Learn more about this author, Bonnie Ralph.
Click here to send Author comments or questions.