8 Disadvantages Of SUVs That People Forget (Explained)

The popularity of Sports Utility Vehicles has increased over the years.

More drivers are enjoying the incredible features of these vehicles, but that does not mean that the SUV is the perfect automobile for you. 

Based on the survey of IHS Automotive, more than 22 million units of sports utility vehicles were sold worldwide in 2015. 

Interestingly, the increase in SUV sales ensured that it occupied 48% of the market share in the United States in 2019. 

This has shown that more people are interested in owning an SUV, and we want to address the disadvantages of SUVs that most people have forgotten. 

1. SUVs consume more fuel

SUVs are renowned for their excessive fuel consumption. The fuel economy of these vehicles is considered to be miserable. 

It is important to note that the SUV’s weight is one of the primary reasons for the measly fuel economy. The heavier the vehicle, the higher the fuel it will consume for operation. 

SUVs have several features, such as prominent wheel arches, wide tires and short overhangs that result in high drag. Their boxy designs and higher height also results in poor aerodynamics, which makes them consume more fuel.

SUVs with more drag are known to consume more fuel while at high speeds or driving long distances. 

Most SUV drivers fail to acknowledge that their car weight and drag contribute to excessive fuel consumption.  

2. SUVs pose a threat to other drivers and road users

Most SUVs are pretty heavy and bulky. This contributes to the fact that their accidents are more serious.

For example, occupants of SUVs were confirmed safe during crash tests, but the impact often wrecks the other vehicle. 

The weight of the SUV hinders its capacity to maneuver its movement, leading to the wreckage of the other vehicle. 

In most cases, if there is a head-on collision between a smaller car and an SUV, the chances that occupants in the other vehicle will be badly injured are high. 

Despite having a higher safety rating, SUVs risk the lives of other drivers and road users. 

During crash tests, SUVs have shown that they are susceptible to rollovers due to their increased weight and inability to maneuver.  

It is reported that the improvement in electronic stability control has reduced this issue significantly. 

But this does not change the fact that SUVs are more susceptible to flip over than sedans. 

3. SUVs are expensive

SUVs are often used to show off status, and it is a fact that we all know. However, we must admit that the cost of acquiring a sport utility vehicle is not cheap. 

You may need to rethink the insurance premium as it is one of the factors that most people fail to acknowledge.

Insurance premiums for SUVs are expensive, an essential factor that most people fail to consider.  

Despite their expensive nature, they are more prone to crashes than sedan vehicles. 

4. SUVs are known for poor visibility

While the height of SUVs allows a longer line of sight, it can lead to poor situational awareness. The large SUVs make it harder for their drivers to see the entire road clearly. 

For instance, the poor rearward vision of this vehicle makes it difficult for drivers to have a clear view when reversing their cars. This has led to a collision of SUVs with children and animals.

Over 15 metres of blind spots in SUVs were discovered by the National Roads and Motorists Association, which is higher than what you see in conventional vehicles. 

In the quest to meet ever-stringent safety standards, most SUVs on the market have now ballooned in size. The unintended consequences is that drivers can’t see objects lower than the trunks of their SUVs.

Unfortunately, that object could be the neighbor’s kids or the driver’s pet.

5. SUVs have a negative impact on the environment

Recently, there has been a call for a significant reduction in gas emissions to protect the environment. 

Driving SUVs that use more gas has negative consequences for the environment. 

SUVs utilize more gas for their operations, which is why most people call them gas guzzlers. 

The environment’s health is utterly affected by pollution triggered by the use of gas. 

Carbon emissions affect the planet as they are the atmosphere’s greenhouse gas with the highest emission levels. 

It causes global warming and influences climate change negatively.

Carbon emissions from vehicles also have a negative toll on the health of humans, as it increases the occurrence of respiratory diseases due to an increase in air pollution. 

6. Insurance Rates For SUVs Cost More

SUV insurance is usually more expensive than that of smaller vehicles, despite its status as a moderately safe vehicle. 

Before purchasing an SUV, you must remember that most SUVs have more safety features and are more expensive than sedans. 

The average SUV insurance is around $2,300 annually and is likely to change under the right circumstances. 

SUV owners tend to pay more for insurance premiums due to factors such as the vehicle’s value, weight and size.  

7. SUVs are expensive to maintain

SUVs are loaded with sophisticated components. If any of these components that make up the vehicle have faults, fixing it can be difficult and expensive. 

Compared to sedans and other automobiles, the cost of maintaining an SUV is higher. 

8. Require Big Space for Parking

If your parking space is small, you may have issues parking your SUV. 

SUVs are usually big, and they need a spacious parking space for them. 

Final thoughts 

There have been some false impressions about SUVs when it comes to safety. Most people who prefer SUVs believe that SUVs are safer than sedans. 

The oversized frame of the SUVs is one of the significant factors considered by enthusiasts of SUV brands, but safety is not all about the larger structure of automobiles. 

Though it has the edge over other smaller vehicles whenever there is a head-on collision, the same cannot be said when SUVs are involved in a crash while driving at high speed.

Most of the newer SUV models are incorporated with the Electronic Control Stability feature to alleviate the risk of rolling. 

If you want to purchase an SUV, you need to be aware of the risks and problems associated with the vehicle. 

You need to be sure that the SUV aligns with your lifestyle, budget and preference. 

It is important to take note of the disadvantages of driving an SUV before buying one. We hope all these points will help you make an informed decision whenever you want to acquire an SUV. 

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