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Should we still be buying SUVs? My response is an emphatic NO. In fact, we never should have bought into the hype attached to them in the first place.

Let's address their so-called strong points:
1. They're safer than cars because they sit higher and are usually heavier than cars. This is completely false because they have a higher center of gravity and are 50% more likely to roll over in an accident. More weight just means it takes longer to overcome Newton's Second Law of Inertia. In other words, it's harder to stop.

2. Available 4WD makes them better to drive in bad weather. Generally this would be true, but most people equate the capability of their vehicle with an increase in driving skill. What they think this means is when the weather turns bad, they don't have to slow down and adjust to conditions. While 4WD will help you in the snow, nothing will help you in really treacherous conditions like ice.

3. Visibility is better in an SUV. Yes, you're up higher so you can see further, but it's very difficult to see what is directly in front of your vehicle, especially in a parking lot. SUVs also have huge blind spots. Manufacturers try to overcome this by putting big mirrors on them, but it doesn't always work.

4. Cargo capacity is better than a car. This is true to an extent, if you exclude station wagons. Besides, if you need to carry that much stuff, you're better off buying a minivan which will get better gas mileage and handle more like a car.

5. Available with V-8 Power. Why do you need that much power? How often are you going to tow 7,000 pounds? If you have to tow something every day, get a truck. And if you don't tow anything that often, simply rent a truck or full size van for that occasion. You don't need a 5500 pound, 400 horsepower grocery getter.

Add to this the fact that they have horrible fuel economy, even by the standards of the 1970's, have almost no resale value, and their maintenance costs can be alarming, especially with 4WD and special equipment. Call your local dealer and ask how much a differential control module is for any 4WD SUV and you'll have an idea of why you're warranty ends after a relatively short period of time. Something as simple as brake pads can cost well over $100.

Other things they won't tell you is if you're SUV has a certain kind of engine it will require more than 4 quarts of oil, which in turn means additional expense for routine maintenance. Some have a special tire size that are amazingly expensive.

IF their ride is comfortable enough that you don't feel the bumps in the road, that just means they're much less stable going through a turn, so the suspension isn't designed to handle well, it's designed for comfort. Which makes emergency maneuvers that much more treacherous. Conversely, if part of the sales pitch is that it handles well, it's probably going to ride stiffly, because you're driving a truck.

I've driven several makes and models of SUVs and found them all severely lacking in one or more areas. And I would never buy one, let alone drive it daily. Don't fall for the sales pitch that tells you how safe they are, because it's just not true.

Learn more about this author, Butch Campione.
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