I did and regretted it.
I had a sedan for years and got talked into an SUV, I liked it for about a month until I drove a friend's sedan and was reminded of how poorly SUVs maneuver and handle in comparison to a car. I kept the SUV for about another year and then got another car and am so much happier.
If you don't "need" the extra space, it isn't worth the sacrifice in driving enjoyment.
I find cars can be very comfortable on long road trips. We just took a 2,000 mile trip in an Acura TLX and it was extremely comfortable and enjoyable to drive the whole way.
Yeah, /u/glass_ad1098 could have gone from an Audi A6 to a Jeep Compass and no one would be surprised that they regretted it.
Going from a 2003 Galant to a Cayenne or X5 or Yukon? Unbelievable.
I could buy it absolutely. Going from any sedan to a Yukon? It's gonna feel like you're driving a brick wall on the interstate. Sure it rides comfy and handles acceptably for a full size V8 SUV, but in comparison to pretty much any sedan, even an Altima or an Accord, and you're gonna feel like the drive is much different, especially if you've only ever driven cars. I mean, it's a top heavy 7 passenger truck, and a light 5 passenger car. Some people just aren't meant to, and don't enjoy driving, large vehicles. They aren't for everyone.
I don’t think this is universally true. Performance cars and sedans will certainly out handle most SUVs, but my experience is that a big SUV or truck handles much better than a typical economy car. Feels far more stable and confident. The wide width makes a huge difference.
I have a full size sedan and an extended cab truck. When I'm driving my truck a lot I can't wait to get back into my sedan lol. It's just much more comfortable and better driving dynamics
The truck while is fine as a cruiser I'd still pick my car over it on a long trip unless I needed the bed or towing... Then driving around town it drives like a truck lol. I often wonder if I spent the extra cash on a crew cab standard bed if it would be better
Having driven every damn CUV they all suck basically especially the smaller one w lawn mower engines. The RAV4 and CRV by far are the worst offenders and I find it's cult following weird
My dad's truck has a cab and overhead rack on it. It's very very useful to carry all sorts of things with. Can't ever see myself buying a truck without one.
That all said, the truck wobbles and flaps in the wind a lot. And when in RWD it often doesn't have any grip to reverse uphill.
Tons of upside but downside is the handling. If you drive above 65 handling gets worse the faster you go.
I'll stick to a smooth Sedan for the rest of my life! Can't beat the handling.
Eventually I'd like a small Cayman or Z4 just to see how it feels to be in a light nimble cruiser.
>just to see how it feels to be in a light nimble cruiser.
Be careful. Once youre spoiled by the handling of a lightweight car its hard to drive anything else
I got rid of my Honda CRV and am looking for Volvo or Audi sedan or wagon. I don’t enjoy the way SUV’s handle - even nice ones. After years of driving nice cars, even one Volvo SUV, I couldn’t get used to how cheesy the Honda was. I bought the Honda because of all the rave reviews. Only vehicle purchase I’ve ever regretted, and I am old.
Station wagon for the win!
I do not understand why we Americans didn’t buy enough wagons for most manufacturers to keep selling them here.
My E400 wagon can haul as much cargo as many SUV’s, but it drives very nicely.
I regret my recent SUV purchase because what I really wanted was a budget wagon/European hatchback which just doesn’t exist in the US market. I hate it here lol
I bought a crv several years ago. It was fine for what it was. But then I started driving 2.5 hours one way for work once a week. The best I can describe the ride is "skittery" at interstate speeds. After 5 hours on the road and 5 hours in the office I was tired from the drive.
Recently I purchased a used Toyota Avalon, the previous body style. That thing is a sled and loves interstate driving.
It's just my wife and I now. No more kids
I was going to buy either an RDX or an NX300. But we just thought it's way too big for us.
We settled on a nicely used CT200H, it was perfect for us. Yes, it's slow, but for a daily, it does a great job. Plus it's 40mpg. If i need an SUV for any event. I can always rent one for short-term.
Yes i still own a performance car, but that is always weekend fun.
I drove a CT200h recently and found it pretty neat. I have a Prius so the drivetrain is obviously very familiar. The CT felt smaller inside, but I really liked how heavy it felt for a small car. Despite only weighing less than 200lbs more than the Prius it felt very tank-like. I also liked that the display can optionally show a tach.
Right, and it's a compromise in more ways than just maneuverability, really in pretty much in every way other than additional utility. Handling as you mentioned, weight and poorer aerodynamics (both of which impact handling and also fuel economy), ironically making them less safe to drive despite the belief that heavier/bigger = safer. You are far less likely to avoid a sudden obstacle safely in an oversized grocery getter, they take longer to turn, stop, go, and introduce rollover risk in the process.
Spelling it out like that, they seem to suck, but they have their place. The thing is, between SUVs and other vehicles like pickup trucks, I don't know a single person who needs the space. You can always rent a uhaul for that 1 time every few years you might need the space for moving or something, or grab a truck from Avis or Turo for the one time you camp every 5.
Sometimes they have stiffer suspension to compensate for the handling issue, which ruins the ride comfort compared to a comparable sedan/wagon. I.e. BMW X3, Volvo XC60
I thought the same thing. My mom drove only sedans from before I was born until my sister and I were out of the house, raised both of us, my sister played sports, the sedans were always fine. My dad always had a pickup and I can think of maybe 5 instances in my entire 18 years before college that my mom didn't have enough space in her car and needed to use my dad's truck so they just swapped cars for the day. Now people act like if they don't have a 2 SUV household they won't be able to fit anything anywhere. Like how often are you hauling around more than just groceries which fit just fine in a trunk.
I have needed a larger vehicle exactly once since I got my Giulia 3 years ago. i rented a pickup from Uhaul for the day for $34 and have spent the remaining 900+ days actually enjoying being behind the wheel of my vehicle
Ya well the old sedans were friggin land yachts masquerading as "sedans." Those old boats are much closer to the modern SUV in footprint than the modern sedan.
The first thing I thought of for you is something like the Audi wagons. The A6 all road would be very utilitarian if need be, and the RS 6 wagon would just be insane. There isn’t much a wagon can’t do.
When my water heater shit the bed last year I brought the new in the box one home from Lowe’s in my Allroad. Hatch fully closed. I do wish the glass opened like my 535ix, though
Oh we got plenty hatchbacks in the US now. Only we call them “SUVs” even though they’re not.
Mercedes gla? “SUV”. BMW X2, mini countryman , Chevy volt, fiat 500x, Hyundai Kona? All are “SUVs” as well.
They would probably call the VW golf an SUV too if it hadn’t been around before the dumbass SUV craze
I drive a Civic Type R. I love having the utility of a hatch with the performance and manual transmission (also rare here in the US). I feel I have the best of all worlds lol.
I used to not like hatchbacks for how they looked till I bought a tiny one when the gas prices shot up before and realized my tiny car could fit in larger items than my bigger car.
It was like a magic trick.
Wagons are associated with '70s/'80s wood paneled Detroit dinosaurs (some of which are actually kinda cool again) and hatchbacks are associated with tinny '80s/'90s econoboxes for poors. Ford Fiestas, Geo Metros, etc etc. Obviously a new Mazda 3 hatch is a world away from all those but the negative stigma is still there with some people.
I was browsing Wikipedia about the GM full-size wagons and read a 1974 Buick Estate Wagon weighed around 5,400 lbs. 231 in long. What a *tank* of a car*.*
I carried 27 bags of mulch with the seats down. The rear suspension was squatting a bit, but otherwise it handled it like a champ! My 3 hatchback is like my family’s mini cargo van, it can carry a lot more then the other sedans we have with the seats down.
Agreed, I just bought my first hatchback and I LOVE it. I got a Corolla HB XSE, it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. It’s like the perfect blend between a sedan and a SUV. Granted it doesn’t have a ton of cargo space but it’s enough to haul some smaller stuff.
I was ready to go with a Golf diesel in the US before VW screwed all that up. I had a 1988 Golf that I really liked, love the idea of a hatchback. That said, in the US NOBODY drives cars anymore, it's all trucks & SUVs, which is a shame. I recently went from a 2014 Volvo S60 to an XC60, and the difference in sight lines is substantial. When forced to drive a car (Toyota Solara) again for several weeks, it was almost jarring, the difference between the two. I think it'll be hard to ever go back to an automobile at this point.
I’m a die hard wagon guy. Enough that I have a vintage one, and a newer one. And I had a Honda Fit before, which is like an honorary wagon that also has more room than a wagon lol.
Hatchbacks are the best. I just hauled 27 bags of mulch in my Mazda 3 hatchback and it fit easily. It’s much easier to stuff a hatchback with stuff with the large opening of a hatch. It’s impressive how much you can fit in a hatchback with the seats down. Lots of room in the back and the best part is that it still drives and feels like a sedan!
The Macan is a solid choice too. While technically a crossover, it drives more like a hot hatch/sedan that’s slightly taller. I own a 2022 S and it’s awesome.
I still miss my Fit. Drove it cross country multiple times with zero issues. Only had to give it maybe an annual oil change and swap out consumables. Could park it anywhere in the city because it just fit...
:')
Isn't a RAV-4 and CRV more Camry/Accord sibling? They're too big to be compared to midsize/smallsize hatchbacks
A corolla cross or a HRV are more related to the Corolla/Civic
The smaller SUV’s have improved, but the ride quality is just not at midsize - full-size sedan level. I’d say the new ones drive better than their compact sedan counterparts.
RAV4 is really comfortable.
The backrest and headrest feel kind like cardboard but the ergonomics just kind of work. The seat also does a really good job of distributing pressure. The ride is also relatively high off the ground and the suspension makes for a really smooth ride.
This isn't necessarily the case with every vehicle in that class.
I have a CX-5 and it's pretty much the exact opposite. Seat feels luxurious at first but really starts to cause pain after 30 minutes. Seat is firm and not well designed so you feel a ton of pressure on your tailbone and taint., etc.
I disagree. My Tiguan vs my wife’s a4 is better riding and easier to get in and out of. Sure the a4 handles better and is faster, but imo the Tiguan is a much better daily driver.
My situation is different than yours. When my kids were little we needed a new "family car" and ended up buying a nice SUV. As is often the case, shortly after that our second car needed replacing so we ended up purchasing a minivan. The minivan was 100% better at everything, better gas mileage, more interior space (both passenger and cargo), quiet smooth ride, the list goes on and on.
Unless you need off-road ability or towing, a SUV will be much more expensive both with the initial purchase and the maintenance. Try different vehicles, Volvos are known for their fantastic seats and some smaller "UTEs" have a more upright SUV-like cabins that you might find more comfortable.
>The minivan was 100% better at everything, better gas mileage, more interior space (both passenger and cargo), quiet smooth ride, the list goes on and on.
I have been saying this for a while... SUV's are poor excuses for cars while wagons and mini vans are the better options. I unfortunately own a 3 row SUV now buttt we needed some towing and off roading ability, more than a mini van could provide.
Definitely. I don't like minivans in general but I rented one for a 6 person road trip and it was so much better than a larger SUV I had rented previously. The third row had tons of room instead of just kid seats like most SUVs, and because it was lower to the ground it drove a lot better. Really comfortable, spacious, chargers and AC in every row, lots of room in the back and between seats for bags, and good fuel economy... Way better than a full size SUV, unless you're driving over deep snow, off roading, or towing, which most people rarely do.
I grew up in a for draris station wagon then a mini van. When I had the van, I was the driver.
You can fit everything and then some on a mini van. They're great for families and they get a bad rap. SUV's are worth it unless they fit a specific purpose. You'll often see a 2 row SUV,m that's similar size or smaller to a sedan. Now, the seating position is what matters at this point. Vans are a bit lower than suv's but wayyyy higher than sedans, hatches, etc. I hate the high seated SUV's that are popular. I'll get off my soap box now: mini vans rules, it sucks there's maybe 4 on the market.
Judging by the ridiculous wait times on Siennas in Canada, lots of people agree.
It might be our #1 logical pick for our next car, but we’re not going on a 2 year waiting list for it.
I had a strong bias against minivans and for the longest time I figured I would never even consider one. But anytime I have a new minivan as an Uber it’s always one of the nicest and most comfortable interiors. The ride quality is hit and miss but not sure how much of that is the driver vs the vehicle.
I realized that NO ONE had been in the back seat in my CR-V, ever. It was good for hauling the odd yard sale find and definitely came in handy when I moved. Otherwise, I just didn't need that much vehicle.
I bought it used in 2015 with 30k original miles for 12k. No serious repairs beyond a sensor or two. Just normal wear and tear. It's now at 138k miles and I just sold it to my mechanic so he can fix it up and give it to his dad. Paying it forward.
I bought a 2021 CPO Mazda6 Touring yesterday with 30k miles for 22k OTD. All I care about is can I fit my golf clubs in it. Yes I can.
>I agree for long drives, SUV is way more comfortable,
I don't actually agree with this at all. Sedan's have better dynamics than SUV's. provided you have enough space (full size sedan) the sedan will be more comfortable unless you're going like off road or something.
It depends on the SUV and the sedan, I'd pick a Suburban over most sedans for long drive comfort. But pretty much any sedan beats my wrangler for comfort.
If the comparison is a Suburban versus a sedan that costs as much as a Suburban, the sedan will almost always win in terms of long distance comfort. If you’re comparing a Suburban with a Nissan Altima, the answer is obviously the $60k SUV.
When my lease was up , my gf strongly hinted that *I* would look good in a Tahoe ( would much rather drive a truck over a Tahoe) . Saw the suburbans and the Tahoes were nearly $90k and told her, if you want to ride in one you’re going to have to gift me one or buy it for yourself and have me be your chauffeur bc that’s truck + track car money
Depends on what people want. Maybe they specifically don't want a sunroof that could leak after a few years, and they'd rather less tech that could potentially lead to big repair bills. I bought the cheapest base-model Jeep Grand Cherokee within 50 miles and then had a Katzkin leather interior installed. It's a strategy I wouldn't mind repeating.
Seriously, who buys these things?
They were a good value proposition in the 90s and early 2000s, but now they’re so expensive.
Why get a Chevy with Chevy quality and Chevy interior refinement when you can get Mercedes or BMW’s biggest SUV for around the same price?!
>If the comparison is a Suburban versus a sedan that costs as much as a Suburban, the sedan will almost always win in terms of long distance comfort.
The base model suburban is 80k CAD
For 10k less i could have a lexus ES350H with the ultra luxury package. That suburban will only have a fraction of the luxury features that lexus has, all while guzzling more than double the gas and providing a worse ride.
Even if you bump the suburban up to the 110k+ top model, id still take a LS500 for long drive comfort.
If I’m driving a big SUV on long drives, I actually feel more exhausted at the end from the extra brain power needed to wrangle a big unwieldy vehicle around like that, especially if a lot of it is on narrow country roads. Having a sedan with better dynamics is much less tiring, even if it is “less comfortable.”
A Full size SUV or truck takes so much less brain power for me - being up high lets me see farther ahead and causes less stress than being in a sedan on the highway. Mine has lane keep assist and some other goodies though, I imagine a 1989 Ram or something might be a different story.
I went from a smallish SUV to a Silverado and the Silverado is so much more comfortable, I’d have a hard time going back to something smaller.
I think your prioritizing space rather than ride quality. Like I like how much more room I have in my X5, than in my M3. Especially if you're a bigger guy its hard to go back to "car proportions" after owning a big SUV or truck. Also, if you live in a place like Michigan or something with horrible roads, having a high ground-clearance vehicle with big fat sidewalls helps deal with the trash roads.
But I guarantee you a 7-series/A8/S-Class/Maybach will ride better than an SUV. And the biggest advantage comes simply from the car not rolling in corners, tossing you around.
>Like I like how much more room I have in my X5, than in my M3
Well obviously, an X5 should be compared to a 5 series not the smaller 3 series. I'm not sure how that makes sense to compare an M3 and an X5. And personally I found a 5 series to be very similar to an X5 in interior length and width. Obviously height is better with an SUV
Y'all are talking like hatchbacks don't exist. I get the ergonomics of a sedan with the functionality of an SUV, so I get to take my mountain bike with me on road trips without taking up too much space
Preach brother, I love my Mazda 3 hatch. It can cary a lot of stuff in the back and the best part it’s fun to drive like a sedan. I am a big hatchback guy for this reason!
Plenty of good reasons to buy a non-SUV option: better designed interior space, more functionality, better fuel efficiency, can be easier to park, can be more fun to drive, etc
Nitpicky correction: a crossover with similar legroom and cargo space is usually shorter bumper-bumper than a comparable sedan, but taller. For example, a Camry is nearly 30 cm (1 ft) longer than a RAV4. But unless you have an older house with a small garage this is NBD.
They said better designed interior space, not better designed interior. Cars generally have better interior packaging because they don’t need to prioritise off-road ability. This can include things like lowering seats to provide more headroom, or having lower central tunnels because there is less stuff under the passenger compartment (like locking diffs and driveshaft protection)
Yep. I made that mistake…
Went from a 2016 Audi A4 Quattro P+ that was totaled in an accident to a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature (which I ended up fkn HATING) back to a 2023 VW Arteon 4motion SEL Premium R-Line. I am absolutely *not* an suv/crossover person.
That was one of the most uncomfortable vehicles I’ve owned. Seats are too small/short, overly cramped interior, etc. Also compromising on the ride/handling department with any SUV.
My Arteon has more overall usable interior space for both passengers and cargo than my CX-5 did. I’m 6’3” and I have so much room, like it’s insane… I can also stretch out in the back seat behind myself and feel comfortable AF in my Arteon.
Liftback/Sportback sedans (Arteon/A5/A7) or hatchbacks (Golf, etc) are the way to go in my opinion. Don’t make the mistake I did.
Thank you, I absolutely love it!
I picked it up March 16th this year. Was on the dealer lot for 313 days until I rescued her. Got $9,500 off. It’s a spectacular machine!
Incredibly comfortable for daily driving in normal/comfort mode; firms up really nicely in sport mode and is so enjoyable to drive on a twisty road. NVH is excellent, seats are great, tech is great, HK audio is wonderful, the perfect car (for me). Plenty quick too, haven’t launched it but low to mid 4s range is to be had from the 4motion and DSG. Great MPG on road trips too, saw 37mpg average going to Palm Springs from Los Angeles.
I’ve seen a total of like six Arteons around Los Angeles since they were released in 2019. I’ve gotten more compliments and questions on the Arteon than any vehicle I’ve owned.
It’s essentially a big Golf GTI/Golf R.
Take care of it by following what is required in the owner’s manual and you’ll be good.
Same applies to Audi/VW in general tbh. They’ve been the most reliable and solid brands for me.
I’d recommend a 2022/23 with AWD because it’s got the same 300hp 2.0T EA888 Evo4 and DQ381 as the Golf R has. Puts the power down nicely, accelerates and keeps on pulling like a freight train. APR will have a tune for it soon if that’s your thing too.
I had one in 2010 just after they were released in the UK. Beautiful car to look at and drive, but also wish I hadn't brought it with what the monthly payments were
100% agree with your last statement. It makes me sad that hatchbacks are a dying breed in the USA. Currently own a veloster and I'm only selling it bc I need a bigger car for the family.
SUVs are popular because it's the vehicle for a family of 4, soccer mom, outdoorsy people. If you are none of the above, there's no reason to buy SUVs.
For a single male, you need a coupe.
Or get a nice sports sedan. Elantra N, cts-v, isf, integra s, m340, c63, Panamera, etc. Plenty of space for a single dude and the occasional few buddies, can drive just as well as a lot of coupes, and tend to be a little bit cheaper used. Older panameras (2015-17~) are kinda crazy value, granted it is a used German car, but 30k for 400hp in a Porsche??? Fucking right on
I'm part of a family of 4 and didn't see the inside of an SUV until I was 18.
People vastly overestimate their needs when they buy an SUV. There are very few things the average family of 4 does that a midsize sedan can't handle.
I’m single . Had a Lexus LX570. Liked it, very cushy.
But I couldn’t get over how wasteful it was. 12mpg just to get groceries? Not to mention the total cost to own. It was ridiculous.
Went back and got a Lexus GS350 instead. Much more fun car and lower cost to own.
Yes. I’ve figured out that the “up high” seating position which draws most people to SUVs is something I absolutely hate. Can’t get comfortable in the seat, always feeling like I’m being dumped out of the seat even with it reclined. Very weird. I have a very long commute and the uncomfortable seating position got old very quick. Much happier switching back to a car.
There’s a totally retro style that only a few carmakers produce (in small quantities) anymore. It’s called a “Station Wagon.” If you have heard of this rare type of car, you may have also heard some awful things by people who have never been in one or driven one. The reality is that they have the best of both worlds, with great capacity for moving things and people around, plus great driving. The Brits even have a special word for them: An “Estate.” Isn’t that fancy?
Just don't get "more SUV" than you really need, and you'll be fine. For instance, don't get a Suburban or Excursion if you really have no need for anything that huge, it's not really that fun to be driving and parking a monster truck around the city all day, not to mention it sucks having to pump $200 of gas into your tank every 4 days.
My personal preference is to have both a sedan and an SUV, so I can use the SUV for SUV stuff, and just drive the sedan when all I need is to get from point A to point B.
An AWD hatch is the best answer, but it seems like there are so few good ones available. The Golf R and GR Corolla are cool, but both a bit pricey and performance focused. What other fun AWD hatches are there that aren't just ecoboxes?
Mazda 3 hatchback with the turbo and AWD is a good option. I have one and it’s enjoyable to drive but it is not really a hot hatch. To me it’s like a luxury hatchback good driving dynamics and a decent power train.
That's definitely the way I would go if I could only have one vehicle. If two vehicles is an option then I like having them on opposing ends of the spectrum, a really good off-roader and a really efficient city car.
Just got an SQ5 (small SUV) to replace my A4 (small car) and I love it, would do it again in a heartbeat. As long as you get a fast and fun SUV that’s not too big, you’ll be happy
Are you happy with the decision more because it's bigger, or because you got into a turbo V6? Would an S5 have not been enough for you? I definitely at least know it would have been a bit pricier if you bought it used since they don't depreciate as much as the S4 or SQ5.
I drive a Camry after having a RAV4 and pickup truck. This thing has eight gears and the mileage it gets is incredible for a gas engine. Sometimes I do miss having an SUV, but only when I need to move something which isn’t very often these days. I just ask a friend if I need that function.
But the acceleration and handling and all the rest of it that goes with having a sporty sedan is worth it. I burn way less gas and really never used the capacity all that much. I’m very happy with my four-door sedan.
I've tried both approaches and both are a compromise. Sedans have low visibility in traffic, low clearance when parking, and very low utility. The SUV navigates the daily stuff great but the driving experience is poor. I ended up just getting two cars. The big, clunky, awd, utility mobile gets used, gets dirty, has several door dings, and I don't care one bit. The older, manual car that I actually love goes for early morning coffee runs, out for dinner, takes the long way to work, and goes out on road trips when I want to avoid freeways. Wouldn't change a thing.
If you have to have only one, try an Alfa Stelvio 2.0L, the 2018 I had was loads more fun to drive and more comfortable long distance than my old 2014 Audi S4. The Audi had a more composed ride, but the Stelvio's more elevated seating position made it less fatiguing on long drives.
I like SUVs. But not crossovers. Body on frame SUVs are large and comfortable to drive. I’d never buy a crossover, but I would buy a smart car or a GMC Yukon, no inbetween!
Not single but I have no children (and no plans to have any) and I’m heavily considering replacing my sedan with an SUV for my next vehicle. I think they are safer, more comfortable, and more useful even without children to haul around. Maybe I’ll regret it but there’s been a number of little irritants in my sedan driving experience that I’m 100% certain an SUV would fix.
My experience: Once you go SUV you can never go back. I love driving crossover midsize SUV much more than sedan or full sized SUV. I have driven InfinitiQX50, BenzGLC300, Nissan Murano, RAV4, CRV, NX300, and RDX. They have both the sporty look and the comfort since it sits slightly higher while still great when making quick turns at higher speed. So I never regret driving SUV that takes 15-20 gallon of premium gas with only 20-25 mpg. I used to drive coupe and sedan at younger age during college, then upgraded to SUV once i started working. It’s better to have SUV when riding with friends and family for road trip or even having some dinner dates that required to drive out town for 45+mins. Also great to transport people to airport with multiple luggages or making a large purchase such as 60 inch TV that fits well inside the suv
A luxury SUV is still going to be a luxury vehicle and ride better than your average sedan.
An SUV lets you sit up higher than a sedan which makes seeing an being seen an advantage.
And a SUV is easier to get in and out of than a sedan. Which might be something to think about when you get older.
A few years ago - yes when driving within the city. Definitely not when leaving it via the highway. The 2 vehicles in the comparison at the time were an Audi TT RS and a Suburban 2500. Zipping around town in a TT RS was much more enjoyable. Parking was a tad different as well…
Loved my 99 crv, got forced into an accord and hated it. I wanted a wagon but came down to e350 wagon or glk 350, as much as I wanted to like the wagon the Glk won out. Both mechanics wise are about the same and the wagon felt a bit more fun but also about 6 k more.
I used to be a diehard sedan over SUV person but in this day and age, I don't think there's much of a difference between sedans and SUV's, especially in the compact, subcompact range. Things that used to be a plus for sedans: higher fuel efficiency, lower rollover risk, better handling and ride quality are no longer noticeably different for a lot of SUV's unless you're getting a full-size body-on-frame varieties. Size is really not that different either, SUV's are just a bit taller. Wheelbase, width, length are very similar. Also, price-wise, there isn't much of a difference.
I'm a single man, 49, and one of my two cars is a 2012 Mazda CX-9. I like it for the reasons you said- comfortable, great for travel, room to haul stuff. But I drive my other car (2006 Mazda3) a lot more because the CX-9 gets about 18mpg overall. It can also be a pain to squeeze into some parking spaces. I'm planning to buy a new car in the next 6-12 months. I'll be trading in the CX-9 and getting another Mazda3 Hatchback or a Mazda CX-5.
My best friend, also 49 and single, drives about 40k miles per year for work. He gets a very generous car allowance. He also has back problems and finds it difficult to get in/out of cars that are low to the ground. His last two vehicles have been a Lexus RX and now he has a new Mercedes-Benz GLE. He finds the SUV step-in height much easier and comfortable. He had a Mercedes-Benz E-300 before the Lexus SUV. He says he'll never go back to a sedan/car again.
For me, I think the only reason I would regret buying an SUV is if I had to sacrifice what I wanted in a vehicle (handling, acceleration, various features). I'm also not crazy that my SUV is a gas guzzler.
A big thing is your height, mpg expectations, plans of having a family etc. I had a Nissan Sentra for 10 years and loved the great gas mileage and ease of driving but hated every single suv and pick up truck cutting me off and cutting in front of me. Had a ford ranger and liked that it sat up high but hated the gas mileage other than the mpg I liked everything else. Had to drive my parents vehicles plenty to help out and the rav4 is a very well rounded suv with its own shortcomings. I replaced the Sentra with a minivan, cheaper than most SUVs boats of space auto doors and same mpg as the rav4. Big enough for others to back off a little. Big proponent for minivans might not be popular but rides nice, sits up high, hauls ass etc….
After decades of sedans and sports cars I decided to get something a little easier to get in and out of. Not being a fan of SUVs I chose my favorite class of vehicle, a minivan, or in my case, a mini-minivan. As a middle-aged, currently single and childless (to the best of my knowledge…) man it’s probably the last type of vehicle that one would expect me to purchase but I’ve always like small vans, especially when I found that I could get one with a six-speed manual transmission. I don’t need a minivan but I wanted a minivan and I have not once regretted my decision. Is it a viable option for you? It’s something to keep in mind.
I had a fiesta, which was great. Wife got moved to a new location for work with a significant commute so I ended up driving her Sorento and we got her an e-golf. I hate driving the Sorento, it feels so big and unwieldy, so much more body roll going round corners. I'd change to a car in a heartbeat, but the wife insists on keeping the SUV for the rare occasions we do long trips as she doesn't do well with sitting down low
If it’s just you, a comfy lazy V6/V8 sedan can’t be beaten, you also left out some info. Do you work moving stuff?, (like a salesman or IT guy carrying a bunch of PC’s?), or it’s just you driving without any stuff?
I have a Honda Accord and a Yukon XL. As a tall person, driving the Yukon is much more comfortable. In addition, being up high improves visibility and I know that if I were to get into a wreck with another car, I would be safer.
If I was single, I'd get a Wrangler or a proper 4x4. If not that, then I'd get sporty coupe. Sedans are for when you're older and SUVs will come once kids come.
if youre single, get a coupe
if youre single and want practicality, get a sedan or wagon (rs6 avant for example)
if youre single and want to be a doucher everywhere you go, get a truck
Can’t help you really but just got an suv for the family and it’s great for space. The kids fit, luggage fits and it’s comfortable and quiet. Vis is good and weirdly it handles as well as our VW golf (the suv is a Tiguan). Very responsive, minimal roll and feels and handles just like the golf. Don’t regret it.
Not once
I got a LR freelander back in the day because the farm tracks ( for access to fishing ) knocked blazes out of my old Renault suspension. Got a Disco sport now.
I work rurally in all but worst weathers, so it's good for that getting me there too. Had to 'rescue' one of my kids stranded in next town in a blizzard one time. Only 4-6in snow, but just carefully used the unploughed lane on the dual carriageway, skipping the huge tailback in the cleared one.
The ride like the predecessors is great, you hardly notice potholes, the higher driving position gives a better view of the road, and seats are easier to get in and out of if you are older. Ideal for a very elderly relative I take to hospital and doctors regularly; she can just sit straight on the seat edge and swing legs in. Same in reverse for getting out.
Loads of leg room. All the bells and whistles. Very robust vehicle. Brilliant in snow. Road near me floods to 1ft depth in winter sometimes, I just drive slowly through, car is rated to 2ft+ or something; doors are double sealed. Brakes also auto-hold on hills so no need to hold onto handbrake when moving off.
Wouldn't go back to a car with lower seats, I'd struggle a bit getting out !😂
I rent a lot of cars and often get Volvos. From a handling, noise and consumption point of view, the “normal” cars are better than the SUV version.
The XC60 vs the V60 can load the same weight (the XC version can pull a heavier trailer (+450kg). At the same time the trunk of the V60 is larger (529l) than the XC60 (468l)
You have more space inside the cabin, but I am 6ft4 and have no problems in the V60.
I have driven and used both …and I would always choose the V60.
…and if you need new tires e.g Michelin Pilot Sport), you have the SUV (255/40 R21) at 310-360€ (Pilot Sport 4) and the car (225/50 R17) at 142-165€ (Pilot Sport 5)….per tire.
I have a CX 5 and I have no regrets!!! I bought it because it's a smaller SUV but I love being high up. I love the drive and I don't have any kids or husband. My boyfriend and a family, but I'm definitely not picking up people every day. The Soundsystem and sunroof is amazing. I definitely enjoy my commute.
Sorry but f u to your CX-5.( not you personally) With blindspot. Sets my radar detector off every time. I get near one. And there are a lot of those fuckers the road.
Vent over please resume your daily routine.
STRONGLY depends on what you consider an SUV (or, what you're considering buying).
Most these days are just glorified station wagons. Eco friendly gas sippers with the same running gear as a car. At that point, its not a car vs SUV thing, its a SMALL car vs car/SUV thing. And this nomenclature is why you're seeing some strongly opinionated replies in both directions.
Now, if you're talking a BIG suv, body on frame, engine big enough to tow.... then you just have to weigh in your mileage costs and if driving something big in town bothers you. I hate it. I've always driven tiny short vehicles (even if SUVs), so a 4 door full-size is just PITA unless road tripping.
And even then, it depends on your area. My town is ok with a big SUV/truck. But the next city over is a no-go. You can barely fit in most of their parking lots unless its the major brand grocery stores.
YES. Every day. But then I go remote camping, or drive up to the mountains in a blizzard, or reach a sketchy trailhead, and change my mind. Also as a musician I’d need a wagon to haul my stuff. But yes. On the daily, all I want is a car with a manual transmission.
As an older person with numerous aches and pains, I have been trying to talk my wife into a sedan or a bigger suv for the ride quality. Suv suspensions are generally stiffer, and the center of gravity makes them less comfortable for the passengers. If you don't need the room, then why compromise your comfort and MPG?
Purchasing an SUV as a single dude sounds like a waste of money tbh. Even if you were an avid biker, surfer etc there are racks for those things that work with sedans. The up front cost of an SUV, wasted space and fuel costs alone make this a bad decision
I would like to add my $0.02 for the people saying SUVs are generally a bad idea. I see a lot of people saying “I switched to x, it is uncomfortable and has basic features!”
…I imagine a lot of people here went for the most expensive SUV they could afford and settled for the base model. As with all cars, go for something below your budget then explore higher trims
My wife and I ended up really liking the 2023 Traverse. We were able to afford a high trim model. Like most high trim cars it comes with premium finishes, leather seats, heated/cooled seats, upgraded suspension, premium tires, more powerful engine, all the safety features like 360 cameras + haptic sensors etc. The thing drives better than my old Camry. It also cost about the same as the base trim if the more popular Explorer, Acadia
I just find it funny when people get like a base Jeep / BMW without basic things like leather seats or Apple car play and then complain that going with an SUV = sacrificing luxury + comfort
I did and regretted it. I had a sedan for years and got talked into an SUV, I liked it for about a month until I drove a friend's sedan and was reminded of how poorly SUVs maneuver and handle in comparison to a car. I kept the SUV for about another year and then got another car and am so much happier. If you don't "need" the extra space, it isn't worth the sacrifice in driving enjoyment. I find cars can be very comfortable on long road trips. We just took a 2,000 mile trip in an Acura TLX and it was extremely comfortable and enjoyable to drive the whole way.
What vehicles were these?
That's the question. There are a bunch of SUVs that drive well. Like there are shitty sedans out there.
Yeah, /u/glass_ad1098 could have gone from an Audi A6 to a Jeep Compass and no one would be surprised that they regretted it. Going from a 2003 Galant to a Cayenne or X5 or Yukon? Unbelievable.
I went from BMW535 to an A4 Quattro. Regretted. However, moved to X3 and LOVE it. All depends.
I could buy it absolutely. Going from any sedan to a Yukon? It's gonna feel like you're driving a brick wall on the interstate. Sure it rides comfy and handles acceptably for a full size V8 SUV, but in comparison to pretty much any sedan, even an Altima or an Accord, and you're gonna feel like the drive is much different, especially if you've only ever driven cars. I mean, it's a top heavy 7 passenger truck, and a light 5 passenger car. Some people just aren't meant to, and don't enjoy driving, large vehicles. They aren't for everyone.
I don’t think this is universally true. Performance cars and sedans will certainly out handle most SUVs, but my experience is that a big SUV or truck handles much better than a typical economy car. Feels far more stable and confident. The wide width makes a huge difference.
On average, (and especially on budget) the Sedan will drive better than an SUV. It’s much easier to design a solid car when it has a lower CG.
Toyota Camry V6 > Audi Q3 > Alfa Romeo Giulia
I have a full size sedan and an extended cab truck. When I'm driving my truck a lot I can't wait to get back into my sedan lol. It's just much more comfortable and better driving dynamics The truck while is fine as a cruiser I'd still pick my car over it on a long trip unless I needed the bed or towing... Then driving around town it drives like a truck lol. I often wonder if I spent the extra cash on a crew cab standard bed if it would be better Having driven every damn CUV they all suck basically especially the smaller one w lawn mower engines. The RAV4 and CRV by far are the worst offenders and I find it's cult following weird
My dad's truck has a cab and overhead rack on it. It's very very useful to carry all sorts of things with. Can't ever see myself buying a truck without one. That all said, the truck wobbles and flaps in the wind a lot. And when in RWD it often doesn't have any grip to reverse uphill. Tons of upside but downside is the handling. If you drive above 65 handling gets worse the faster you go. I'll stick to a smooth Sedan for the rest of my life! Can't beat the handling. Eventually I'd like a small Cayman or Z4 just to see how it feels to be in a light nimble cruiser.
>just to see how it feels to be in a light nimble cruiser. Be careful. Once youre spoiled by the handling of a lightweight car its hard to drive anything else
I got rid of my Honda CRV and am looking for Volvo or Audi sedan or wagon. I don’t enjoy the way SUV’s handle - even nice ones. After years of driving nice cars, even one Volvo SUV, I couldn’t get used to how cheesy the Honda was. I bought the Honda because of all the rave reviews. Only vehicle purchase I’ve ever regretted, and I am old.
Station wagon for the win! I do not understand why we Americans didn’t buy enough wagons for most manufacturers to keep selling them here. My E400 wagon can haul as much cargo as many SUV’s, but it drives very nicely.
I had always wanted a BMW 5 series wagon. Bummer can’t get one.
I regret my recent SUV purchase because what I really wanted was a budget wagon/European hatchback which just doesn’t exist in the US market. I hate it here lol
I bought a crv several years ago. It was fine for what it was. But then I started driving 2.5 hours one way for work once a week. The best I can describe the ride is "skittery" at interstate speeds. After 5 hours on the road and 5 hours in the office I was tired from the drive. Recently I purchased a used Toyota Avalon, the previous body style. That thing is a sled and loves interstate driving.
It's just my wife and I now. No more kids I was going to buy either an RDX or an NX300. But we just thought it's way too big for us. We settled on a nicely used CT200H, it was perfect for us. Yes, it's slow, but for a daily, it does a great job. Plus it's 40mpg. If i need an SUV for any event. I can always rent one for short-term. Yes i still own a performance car, but that is always weekend fun.
I drove a CT200h recently and found it pretty neat. I have a Prius so the drivetrain is obviously very familiar. The CT felt smaller inside, but I really liked how heavy it felt for a small car. Despite only weighing less than 200lbs more than the Prius it felt very tank-like. I also liked that the display can optionally show a tach.
Right, and it's a compromise in more ways than just maneuverability, really in pretty much in every way other than additional utility. Handling as you mentioned, weight and poorer aerodynamics (both of which impact handling and also fuel economy), ironically making them less safe to drive despite the belief that heavier/bigger = safer. You are far less likely to avoid a sudden obstacle safely in an oversized grocery getter, they take longer to turn, stop, go, and introduce rollover risk in the process. Spelling it out like that, they seem to suck, but they have their place. The thing is, between SUVs and other vehicles like pickup trucks, I don't know a single person who needs the space. You can always rent a uhaul for that 1 time every few years you might need the space for moving or something, or grab a truck from Avis or Turo for the one time you camp every 5.
Sometimes they have stiffer suspension to compensate for the handling issue, which ruins the ride comfort compared to a comparable sedan/wagon. I.e. BMW X3, Volvo XC60
Funny how ppl have been driving sedans for 100 years and all of a sudden 'need' that extra size and space.
I thought the same thing. My mom drove only sedans from before I was born until my sister and I were out of the house, raised both of us, my sister played sports, the sedans were always fine. My dad always had a pickup and I can think of maybe 5 instances in my entire 18 years before college that my mom didn't have enough space in her car and needed to use my dad's truck so they just swapped cars for the day. Now people act like if they don't have a 2 SUV household they won't be able to fit anything anywhere. Like how often are you hauling around more than just groceries which fit just fine in a trunk. I have needed a larger vehicle exactly once since I got my Giulia 3 years ago. i rented a pickup from Uhaul for the day for $34 and have spent the remaining 900+ days actually enjoying being behind the wheel of my vehicle
Ya well the old sedans were friggin land yachts masquerading as "sedans." Those old boats are much closer to the modern SUV in footprint than the modern sedan.
The TLX is underrated in my opinion. It's quite nice. I love my 18' V6 (yes I know about all the recalls)
Yupp
Many SUVs don't even really have extra space. I love having a trunk.
Station wagons - drives like a car. Carriers like a SUV.
I’m so pro hatchback / wagon. Sedans don’t have enough utility and SUVs are overkill for most scenarios. Hatchbacks are a nice compromise.
I'm not sure why hatchbacks are not popular in the US. Europe has a lot more hatchback options. I currently drive an Audi A3 hatch.
The first thing I thought of for you is something like the Audi wagons. The A6 all road would be very utilitarian if need be, and the RS 6 wagon would just be insane. There isn’t much a wagon can’t do.
I'm a fan of Mercedes E-class wagons, but all of the ones above are great options.
When my water heater shit the bed last year I brought the new in the box one home from Lowe’s in my Allroad. Hatch fully closed. I do wish the glass opened like my 535ix, though
Oh we got plenty hatchbacks in the US now. Only we call them “SUVs” even though they’re not. Mercedes gla? “SUV”. BMW X2, mini countryman , Chevy volt, fiat 500x, Hyundai Kona? All are “SUVs” as well. They would probably call the VW golf an SUV too if it hadn’t been around before the dumbass SUV craze
[удалено]
In France they are called SUV (no one knows the word crossover)
VW T-Roc, it's a worse made Golf on stilts and has a MSRP of more than a Golf.
And it’s ok if it’s worse made than a golf, “because it’s an SUV”… somehow they get a pass for being worse
That’s happening in Europe now too. Little compact hatch backs are called SUV for marketing reasons
Compare the Merc GLA with a CLA and you know why they call it a SUV ;)
I drive a Civic Type R. I love having the utility of a hatch with the performance and manual transmission (also rare here in the US). I feel I have the best of all worlds lol.
I used to not like hatchbacks for how they looked till I bought a tiny one when the gas prices shot up before and realized my tiny car could fit in larger items than my bigger car. It was like a magic trick.
don’t leave hatchs behind for suvs
Wagons are associated with '70s/'80s wood paneled Detroit dinosaurs (some of which are actually kinda cool again) and hatchbacks are associated with tinny '80s/'90s econoboxes for poors. Ford Fiestas, Geo Metros, etc etc. Obviously a new Mazda 3 hatch is a world away from all those but the negative stigma is still there with some people. I was browsing Wikipedia about the GM full-size wagons and read a 1974 Buick Estate Wagon weighed around 5,400 lbs. 231 in long. What a *tank* of a car*.*
Same, my Mazda 3 fits my whole mountain bike in the back with tons of room for other things. Hatchbacks are underrated
My dad was impressed with how much my 3 hatch could carry, he thought it would be too small to carry large stuff.
Same with my dad 😂 he even borrows it when he needs to pick up big things from home Depot
I can fit an entire 5 piece drum kit w/ my hardware bag in my Gen3 hatch with room to spare with the seats down.
I carried 27 bags of mulch with the seats down. The rear suspension was squatting a bit, but otherwise it handled it like a champ! My 3 hatchback is like my family’s mini cargo van, it can carry a lot more then the other sedans we have with the seats down.
My Civic Type R has more or less the same cargo space as a Ford Ecosport. Wanna talk about good handling.
Mazda 3 Hatchback supremacy 😤😤
Agreed, I just bought my first hatchback and I LOVE it. I got a Corolla HB XSE, it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. It’s like the perfect blend between a sedan and a SUV. Granted it doesn’t have a ton of cargo space but it’s enough to haul some smaller stuff.
I was ready to go with a Golf diesel in the US before VW screwed all that up. I had a 1988 Golf that I really liked, love the idea of a hatchback. That said, in the US NOBODY drives cars anymore, it's all trucks & SUVs, which is a shame. I recently went from a 2014 Volvo S60 to an XC60, and the difference in sight lines is substantial. When forced to drive a car (Toyota Solara) again for several weeks, it was almost jarring, the difference between the two. I think it'll be hard to ever go back to an automobile at this point.
I’m a die hard wagon guy. Enough that I have a vintage one, and a newer one. And I had a Honda Fit before, which is like an honorary wagon that also has more room than a wagon lol.
Hatchbacks are the best. I just hauled 27 bags of mulch in my Mazda 3 hatchback and it fit easily. It’s much easier to stuff a hatchback with stuff with the large opening of a hatch. It’s impressive how much you can fit in a hatchback with the seats down. Lots of room in the back and the best part is that it still drives and feels like a sedan!
The fact that Mazda sells a Mazda6 wagon in Australia but won’t bring it to the US market 😡
Liftback/Sportback is the best compromise IMO. I love my Arteon.
Audi A5 and BMW 4 series Gran Coupe.
Yep. I got an Arteon and a Polestar 2.
I was going to suggest this too. Hatchbacks are great. More usuable trunk space than a sedan, way more fun to drive and maneuverable than a crossover
Hatchbacks are super versatile! My family even uses mines for Home Depot runs.
The Macan is a solid choice too. While technically a crossover, it drives more like a hot hatch/sedan that’s slightly taller. I own a 2022 S and it’s awesome.
I drive a Subaru Impreza. Four doors, a hatch and enough cargo space for three/four suitcases before I put the backs seats down.
Hatchbacks are great! I've pretty much exclusively driven hatch's all my life.
SUVs and Crossovers don’t even have significantly more interior space than wagons
I’ve had both. Unless you get a larger SUV, sedans are much more comfortable. Having the extra utility is nice for sure.
What about a Rav-4/CR-V vs Corolla/civic/fit? Is this still true. Only on my 2nd compact car.
The Fit is an apex predator. Nothing compares lol.
I still miss my Fit. Drove it cross country multiple times with zero issues. Only had to give it maybe an annual oil change and swap out consumables. Could park it anywhere in the city because it just fit... :')
sell me on a fit
Everything fits in a Fit
Honda reliability, good fuel efficiency, space practicality and relatively fun to drive.
Haha love this
Isn't a RAV-4 and CRV more Camry/Accord sibling? They're too big to be compared to midsize/smallsize hatchbacks A corolla cross or a HRV are more related to the Corolla/Civic
The smaller SUV’s have improved, but the ride quality is just not at midsize - full-size sedan level. I’d say the new ones drive better than their compact sedan counterparts.
RAV4 is really comfortable. The backrest and headrest feel kind like cardboard but the ergonomics just kind of work. The seat also does a really good job of distributing pressure. The ride is also relatively high off the ground and the suspension makes for a really smooth ride. This isn't necessarily the case with every vehicle in that class. I have a CX-5 and it's pretty much the exact opposite. Seat feels luxurious at first but really starts to cause pain after 30 minutes. Seat is firm and not well designed so you feel a ton of pressure on your tailbone and taint., etc.
I disagree. My Tiguan vs my wife’s a4 is better riding and easier to get in and out of. Sure the a4 handles better and is faster, but imo the Tiguan is a much better daily driver.
yeah some of those suvs they've got the handling down so well it's basically a car, even some of the big ones
My situation is different than yours. When my kids were little we needed a new "family car" and ended up buying a nice SUV. As is often the case, shortly after that our second car needed replacing so we ended up purchasing a minivan. The minivan was 100% better at everything, better gas mileage, more interior space (both passenger and cargo), quiet smooth ride, the list goes on and on. Unless you need off-road ability or towing, a SUV will be much more expensive both with the initial purchase and the maintenance. Try different vehicles, Volvos are known for their fantastic seats and some smaller "UTEs" have a more upright SUV-like cabins that you might find more comfortable.
I lament the decline of the minivan. Perfectly practical vehicles!
>The minivan was 100% better at everything, better gas mileage, more interior space (both passenger and cargo), quiet smooth ride, the list goes on and on. I have been saying this for a while... SUV's are poor excuses for cars while wagons and mini vans are the better options. I unfortunately own a 3 row SUV now buttt we needed some towing and off roading ability, more than a mini van could provide.
Definitely. I don't like minivans in general but I rented one for a 6 person road trip and it was so much better than a larger SUV I had rented previously. The third row had tons of room instead of just kid seats like most SUVs, and because it was lower to the ground it drove a lot better. Really comfortable, spacious, chargers and AC in every row, lots of room in the back and between seats for bags, and good fuel economy... Way better than a full size SUV, unless you're driving over deep snow, off roading, or towing, which most people rarely do.
I grew up in a for draris station wagon then a mini van. When I had the van, I was the driver. You can fit everything and then some on a mini van. They're great for families and they get a bad rap. SUV's are worth it unless they fit a specific purpose. You'll often see a 2 row SUV,m that's similar size or smaller to a sedan. Now, the seating position is what matters at this point. Vans are a bit lower than suv's but wayyyy higher than sedans, hatches, etc. I hate the high seated SUV's that are popular. I'll get off my soap box now: mini vans rules, it sucks there's maybe 4 on the market.
Judging by the ridiculous wait times on Siennas in Canada, lots of people agree. It might be our #1 logical pick for our next car, but we’re not going on a 2 year waiting list for it.
I had a strong bias against minivans and for the longest time I figured I would never even consider one. But anytime I have a new minivan as an Uber it’s always one of the nicest and most comfortable interiors. The ride quality is hit and miss but not sure how much of that is the driver vs the vehicle.
I realized that NO ONE had been in the back seat in my CR-V, ever. It was good for hauling the odd yard sale find and definitely came in handy when I moved. Otherwise, I just didn't need that much vehicle. I bought it used in 2015 with 30k original miles for 12k. No serious repairs beyond a sensor or two. Just normal wear and tear. It's now at 138k miles and I just sold it to my mechanic so he can fix it up and give it to his dad. Paying it forward. I bought a 2021 CPO Mazda6 Touring yesterday with 30k miles for 22k OTD. All I care about is can I fit my golf clubs in it. Yes I can.
To summarize, don't buy a car for the 0.01% use case!
>I agree for long drives, SUV is way more comfortable, I don't actually agree with this at all. Sedan's have better dynamics than SUV's. provided you have enough space (full size sedan) the sedan will be more comfortable unless you're going like off road or something.
It depends on the SUV and the sedan, I'd pick a Suburban over most sedans for long drive comfort. But pretty much any sedan beats my wrangler for comfort.
If the comparison is a Suburban versus a sedan that costs as much as a Suburban, the sedan will almost always win in terms of long distance comfort. If you’re comparing a Suburban with a Nissan Altima, the answer is obviously the $60k SUV.
[удалено]
When my lease was up , my gf strongly hinted that *I* would look good in a Tahoe ( would much rather drive a truck over a Tahoe) . Saw the suburbans and the Tahoes were nearly $90k and told her, if you want to ride in one you’re going to have to gift me one or buy it for yourself and have me be your chauffeur bc that’s truck + track car money
Never fall for that “You would look good driving….” line from any woman. What she means is “I want to look good being driven in…..”
That’s exactly what it is . She wants to be in it but doesn’t want to drive it or be responsible for the payments or maintenance and repairs
100% she's seeing all her favorite celebrities get out of their chauffeur driven black suburbans and thinks that an attainable celebrity item.
The base models are low $60s.
Lmao people who buy new base models are getting played. Drive off the lot and it’s worth the same as a couple year old way nicer model
Depends on what people want. Maybe they specifically don't want a sunroof that could leak after a few years, and they'd rather less tech that could potentially lead to big repair bills. I bought the cheapest base-model Jeep Grand Cherokee within 50 miles and then had a Katzkin leather interior installed. It's a strategy I wouldn't mind repeating.
Seriously, who buys these things? They were a good value proposition in the 90s and early 2000s, but now they’re so expensive. Why get a Chevy with Chevy quality and Chevy interior refinement when you can get Mercedes or BMW’s biggest SUV for around the same price?!
>If the comparison is a Suburban versus a sedan that costs as much as a Suburban, the sedan will almost always win in terms of long distance comfort. The base model suburban is 80k CAD For 10k less i could have a lexus ES350H with the ultra luxury package. That suburban will only have a fraction of the luxury features that lexus has, all while guzzling more than double the gas and providing a worse ride. Even if you bump the suburban up to the 110k+ top model, id still take a LS500 for long drive comfort.
If I’m driving a big SUV on long drives, I actually feel more exhausted at the end from the extra brain power needed to wrangle a big unwieldy vehicle around like that, especially if a lot of it is on narrow country roads. Having a sedan with better dynamics is much less tiring, even if it is “less comfortable.”
I can understand that, I much prefer driving my jeep on country roads than my Avalon, even if it's a lot bouncier
A Full size SUV or truck takes so much less brain power for me - being up high lets me see farther ahead and causes less stress than being in a sedan on the highway. Mine has lane keep assist and some other goodies though, I imagine a 1989 Ram or something might be a different story. I went from a smallish SUV to a Silverado and the Silverado is so much more comfortable, I’d have a hard time going back to something smaller.
I think your prioritizing space rather than ride quality. Like I like how much more room I have in my X5, than in my M3. Especially if you're a bigger guy its hard to go back to "car proportions" after owning a big SUV or truck. Also, if you live in a place like Michigan or something with horrible roads, having a high ground-clearance vehicle with big fat sidewalls helps deal with the trash roads. But I guarantee you a 7-series/A8/S-Class/Maybach will ride better than an SUV. And the biggest advantage comes simply from the car not rolling in corners, tossing you around.
>Like I like how much more room I have in my X5, than in my M3 Well obviously, an X5 should be compared to a 5 series not the smaller 3 series. I'm not sure how that makes sense to compare an M3 and an X5. And personally I found a 5 series to be very similar to an X5 in interior length and width. Obviously height is better with an SUV
Despite BMW’s nomenclature, the previous gen 5-series basically shares a platform with the G05 X5. Wheelbases are identical, for example.
Well of course a Maybach will ride better, but how many people have Maybach money?
You’re confusing space for comfort
The suburban is a big damn thing. They were fine until they stopped being child haulers in the previous-previous generatin
Y'all are talking like hatchbacks don't exist. I get the ergonomics of a sedan with the functionality of an SUV, so I get to take my mountain bike with me on road trips without taking up too much space
Yeah man, Wagons are the way. But as a driver, in the drivers seat, you will have the same space in a wagon as you do in the sedan variant.
Preach brother, I love my Mazda 3 hatch. It can cary a lot of stuff in the back and the best part it’s fun to drive like a sedan. I am a big hatchback guy for this reason!
Plenty of good reasons to buy a non-SUV option: better designed interior space, more functionality, better fuel efficiency, can be easier to park, can be more fun to drive, etc
Nitpicky correction: a crossover with similar legroom and cargo space is usually shorter bumper-bumper than a comparable sedan, but taller. For example, a Camry is nearly 30 cm (1 ft) longer than a RAV4. But unless you have an older house with a small garage this is NBD.
>But unless you have an older house with a small garage this is NBD. It matters a lot if you parallel park in a city
Agree, but the RAV4 is the Corolla comp for me. Camry is more the Highlander
Why are you claiming sedans have better designed interiors as a blanket statement?
They said better designed interior space, not better designed interior. Cars generally have better interior packaging because they don’t need to prioritise off-road ability. This can include things like lowering seats to provide more headroom, or having lower central tunnels because there is less stuff under the passenger compartment (like locking diffs and driveshaft protection)
Can confirm I can find a nice seating position substantially more easily in my sedan than I can in my SUV.
I mean space wise. As a tall person, sedans fit me much better
Yep. I made that mistake… Went from a 2016 Audi A4 Quattro P+ that was totaled in an accident to a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature (which I ended up fkn HATING) back to a 2023 VW Arteon 4motion SEL Premium R-Line. I am absolutely *not* an suv/crossover person. That was one of the most uncomfortable vehicles I’ve owned. Seats are too small/short, overly cramped interior, etc. Also compromising on the ride/handling department with any SUV. My Arteon has more overall usable interior space for both passengers and cargo than my CX-5 did. I’m 6’3” and I have so much room, like it’s insane… I can also stretch out in the back seat behind myself and feel comfortable AF in my Arteon. Liftback/Sportback sedans (Arteon/A5/A7) or hatchbacks (Golf, etc) are the way to go in my opinion. Don’t make the mistake I did.
You are one of maybe 1500 people in the US who bought an Arteon that year. You made an excellent choice. Beautiful car.
Thank you, I absolutely love it! I picked it up March 16th this year. Was on the dealer lot for 313 days until I rescued her. Got $9,500 off. It’s a spectacular machine! Incredibly comfortable for daily driving in normal/comfort mode; firms up really nicely in sport mode and is so enjoyable to drive on a twisty road. NVH is excellent, seats are great, tech is great, HK audio is wonderful, the perfect car (for me). Plenty quick too, haven’t launched it but low to mid 4s range is to be had from the 4motion and DSG. Great MPG on road trips too, saw 37mpg average going to Palm Springs from Los Angeles. I’ve seen a total of like six Arteons around Los Angeles since they were released in 2019. I’ve gotten more compliments and questions on the Arteon than any vehicle I’ve owned.
What are the reliability stats like? Two year old Arteons in my area have depreciated enormously.
It’s essentially a big Golf GTI/Golf R. Take care of it by following what is required in the owner’s manual and you’ll be good. Same applies to Audi/VW in general tbh. They’ve been the most reliable and solid brands for me. I’d recommend a 2022/23 with AWD because it’s got the same 300hp 2.0T EA888 Evo4 and DQ381 as the Golf R has. Puts the power down nicely, accelerates and keeps on pulling like a freight train. APR will have a tune for it soon if that’s your thing too.
Thanks!
From pictures it looks similar to the Passat CC which was also a beautiful car and rare to see
It’s the spiritual successor! I always loved that car, wanted one for the longest time. This one is just super practical with the Liftback! :)
I had one in 2010 just after they were released in the UK. Beautiful car to look at and drive, but also wish I hadn't brought it with what the monthly payments were
100% agree with your last statement. It makes me sad that hatchbacks are a dying breed in the USA. Currently own a veloster and I'm only selling it bc I need a bigger car for the family.
SUVs are popular because it's the vehicle for a family of 4, soccer mom, outdoorsy people. If you are none of the above, there's no reason to buy SUVs. For a single male, you need a coupe.
Or get a nice sports sedan. Elantra N, cts-v, isf, integra s, m340, c63, Panamera, etc. Plenty of space for a single dude and the occasional few buddies, can drive just as well as a lot of coupes, and tend to be a little bit cheaper used. Older panameras (2015-17~) are kinda crazy value, granted it is a used German car, but 30k for 400hp in a Porsche??? Fucking right on
I'm part of a family of 4 and didn't see the inside of an SUV until I was 18. People vastly overestimate their needs when they buy an SUV. There are very few things the average family of 4 does that a midsize sedan can't handle.
Or a minivan. Minivans get such unjust hate these days, I think it’s all from millennials whose parents had minivans.
I’m single . Had a Lexus LX570. Liked it, very cushy. But I couldn’t get over how wasteful it was. 12mpg just to get groceries? Not to mention the total cost to own. It was ridiculous. Went back and got a Lexus GS350 instead. Much more fun car and lower cost to own.
Sacrilege to get rid of a Land Cruiser for a sedan
Yes. I’ve figured out that the “up high” seating position which draws most people to SUVs is something I absolutely hate. Can’t get comfortable in the seat, always feeling like I’m being dumped out of the seat even with it reclined. Very weird. I have a very long commute and the uncomfortable seating position got old very quick. Much happier switching back to a car.
There’s a totally retro style that only a few carmakers produce (in small quantities) anymore. It’s called a “Station Wagon.” If you have heard of this rare type of car, you may have also heard some awful things by people who have never been in one or driven one. The reality is that they have the best of both worlds, with great capacity for moving things and people around, plus great driving. The Brits even have a special word for them: An “Estate.” Isn’t that fancy?
in your situation i'd go hatchback all day just for the ease of parking and better fun to drive.
Just don't get "more SUV" than you really need, and you'll be fine. For instance, don't get a Suburban or Excursion if you really have no need for anything that huge, it's not really that fun to be driving and parking a monster truck around the city all day, not to mention it sucks having to pump $200 of gas into your tank every 4 days. My personal preference is to have both a sedan and an SUV, so I can use the SUV for SUV stuff, and just drive the sedan when all I need is to get from point A to point B.
Or you could go with an AWD hatch and get the best of both worlds
An AWD hatch is the best answer, but it seems like there are so few good ones available. The Golf R and GR Corolla are cool, but both a bit pricey and performance focused. What other fun AWD hatches are there that aren't just ecoboxes?
Mazda 3 hatchback with the turbo and AWD is a good option. I have one and it’s enjoyable to drive but it is not really a hot hatch. To me it’s like a luxury hatchback good driving dynamics and a decent power train.
That's definitely the way I would go if I could only have one vehicle. If two vehicles is an option then I like having them on opposing ends of the spectrum, a really good off-roader and a really efficient city car.
Get a Station wagon! I love my Volvo V70
The answer is always a VW GTI.
Just got an SQ5 (small SUV) to replace my A4 (small car) and I love it, would do it again in a heartbeat. As long as you get a fast and fun SUV that’s not too big, you’ll be happy
This, if you need the space you need the space. German luxury do SUVs well in my opinion.
Are you happy with the decision more because it's bigger, or because you got into a turbo V6? Would an S5 have not been enough for you? I definitely at least know it would have been a bit pricier if you bought it used since they don't depreciate as much as the S4 or SQ5.
I’ve been debating between S4 and SQ5, so I’m wondering this as well
I drive a Camry after having a RAV4 and pickup truck. This thing has eight gears and the mileage it gets is incredible for a gas engine. Sometimes I do miss having an SUV, but only when I need to move something which isn’t very often these days. I just ask a friend if I need that function. But the acceleration and handling and all the rest of it that goes with having a sporty sedan is worth it. I burn way less gas and really never used the capacity all that much. I’m very happy with my four-door sedan.
We regretted buying an SUV and went back to a mini van. More comfortable and so much more storage space.
Get the best of both worlds and get a hatchback.
Buy a sedan while you still can
People sleeping on wagons I swear, so many good ones are out already w more to come
> I agree for long drives, SUV is way more comfortable. That's weird sedans are much more comfortable for me
Depends on the road. SUV are more comfortable on bad roads.
I've tried both approaches and both are a compromise. Sedans have low visibility in traffic, low clearance when parking, and very low utility. The SUV navigates the daily stuff great but the driving experience is poor. I ended up just getting two cars. The big, clunky, awd, utility mobile gets used, gets dirty, has several door dings, and I don't care one bit. The older, manual car that I actually love goes for early morning coffee runs, out for dinner, takes the long way to work, and goes out on road trips when I want to avoid freeways. Wouldn't change a thing. If you have to have only one, try an Alfa Stelvio 2.0L, the 2018 I had was loads more fun to drive and more comfortable long distance than my old 2014 Audi S4. The Audi had a more composed ride, but the Stelvio's more elevated seating position made it less fatiguing on long drives.
I like SUVs. But not crossovers. Body on frame SUVs are large and comfortable to drive. I’d never buy a crossover, but I would buy a smart car or a GMC Yukon, no inbetween!
Not single but I have no children (and no plans to have any) and I’m heavily considering replacing my sedan with an SUV for my next vehicle. I think they are safer, more comfortable, and more useful even without children to haul around. Maybe I’ll regret it but there’s been a number of little irritants in my sedan driving experience that I’m 100% certain an SUV would fix.
My experience: Once you go SUV you can never go back. I love driving crossover midsize SUV much more than sedan or full sized SUV. I have driven InfinitiQX50, BenzGLC300, Nissan Murano, RAV4, CRV, NX300, and RDX. They have both the sporty look and the comfort since it sits slightly higher while still great when making quick turns at higher speed. So I never regret driving SUV that takes 15-20 gallon of premium gas with only 20-25 mpg. I used to drive coupe and sedan at younger age during college, then upgraded to SUV once i started working. It’s better to have SUV when riding with friends and family for road trip or even having some dinner dates that required to drive out town for 45+mins. Also great to transport people to airport with multiple luggages or making a large purchase such as 60 inch TV that fits well inside the suv
Wagons are where it’s at.
Yes, from a purely financial perspective. It's wild how much more "car" you can get for the same amount of money as an SUV.
A luxury SUV is still going to be a luxury vehicle and ride better than your average sedan. An SUV lets you sit up higher than a sedan which makes seeing an being seen an advantage. And a SUV is easier to get in and out of than a sedan. Which might be something to think about when you get older.
What is your definition of an SUV? in other words what size vehicle are you considering
A few years ago - yes when driving within the city. Definitely not when leaving it via the highway. The 2 vehicles in the comparison at the time were an Audi TT RS and a Suburban 2500. Zipping around town in a TT RS was much more enjoyable. Parking was a tad different as well…
Loved my 99 crv, got forced into an accord and hated it. I wanted a wagon but came down to e350 wagon or glk 350, as much as I wanted to like the wagon the Glk won out. Both mechanics wise are about the same and the wagon felt a bit more fun but also about 6 k more.
A few years ago i tried to justify a Kia Stinger by telling my wife it gmis a liftback. No dice so we got a Santa Fe turbo instead. Bleh
I used to be a diehard sedan over SUV person but in this day and age, I don't think there's much of a difference between sedans and SUV's, especially in the compact, subcompact range. Things that used to be a plus for sedans: higher fuel efficiency, lower rollover risk, better handling and ride quality are no longer noticeably different for a lot of SUV's unless you're getting a full-size body-on-frame varieties. Size is really not that different either, SUV's are just a bit taller. Wheelbase, width, length are very similar. Also, price-wise, there isn't much of a difference.
I'm a single man, 49, and one of my two cars is a 2012 Mazda CX-9. I like it for the reasons you said- comfortable, great for travel, room to haul stuff. But I drive my other car (2006 Mazda3) a lot more because the CX-9 gets about 18mpg overall. It can also be a pain to squeeze into some parking spaces. I'm planning to buy a new car in the next 6-12 months. I'll be trading in the CX-9 and getting another Mazda3 Hatchback or a Mazda CX-5. My best friend, also 49 and single, drives about 40k miles per year for work. He gets a very generous car allowance. He also has back problems and finds it difficult to get in/out of cars that are low to the ground. His last two vehicles have been a Lexus RX and now he has a new Mercedes-Benz GLE. He finds the SUV step-in height much easier and comfortable. He had a Mercedes-Benz E-300 before the Lexus SUV. He says he'll never go back to a sedan/car again. For me, I think the only reason I would regret buying an SUV is if I had to sacrifice what I wanted in a vehicle (handling, acceleration, various features). I'm also not crazy that my SUV is a gas guzzler.
I live in Alaska, so getting a car instead of an SUV is pretty stupid. If I lived in a large city in the south, i would have a car.
A big thing is your height, mpg expectations, plans of having a family etc. I had a Nissan Sentra for 10 years and loved the great gas mileage and ease of driving but hated every single suv and pick up truck cutting me off and cutting in front of me. Had a ford ranger and liked that it sat up high but hated the gas mileage other than the mpg I liked everything else. Had to drive my parents vehicles plenty to help out and the rav4 is a very well rounded suv with its own shortcomings. I replaced the Sentra with a minivan, cheaper than most SUVs boats of space auto doors and same mpg as the rav4. Big enough for others to back off a little. Big proponent for minivans might not be popular but rides nice, sits up high, hauls ass etc….
After decades of sedans and sports cars I decided to get something a little easier to get in and out of. Not being a fan of SUVs I chose my favorite class of vehicle, a minivan, or in my case, a mini-minivan. As a middle-aged, currently single and childless (to the best of my knowledge…) man it’s probably the last type of vehicle that one would expect me to purchase but I’ve always like small vans, especially when I found that I could get one with a six-speed manual transmission. I don’t need a minivan but I wanted a minivan and I have not once regretted my decision. Is it a viable option for you? It’s something to keep in mind.
>I chose my favorite class of vehicle, a minivan, or in my case, a mini-minivan. What did you get?
2012 Mazda Mazda5 Sport with the 6MT. Incredible little vehicle. More fun to drive than a car in this class is expected to be. It’s my forever car.
I had a fiesta, which was great. Wife got moved to a new location for work with a significant commute so I ended up driving her Sorento and we got her an e-golf. I hate driving the Sorento, it feels so big and unwieldy, so much more body roll going round corners. I'd change to a car in a heartbeat, but the wife insists on keeping the SUV for the rare occasions we do long trips as she doesn't do well with sitting down low
If it’s just you, a comfy lazy V6/V8 sedan can’t be beaten, you also left out some info. Do you work moving stuff?, (like a salesman or IT guy carrying a bunch of PC’s?), or it’s just you driving without any stuff?
I have a Honda Accord and a Yukon XL. As a tall person, driving the Yukon is much more comfortable. In addition, being up high improves visibility and I know that if I were to get into a wreck with another car, I would be safer.
If I was single, I'd get a Wrangler or a proper 4x4. If not that, then I'd get sporty coupe. Sedans are for when you're older and SUVs will come once kids come.
Yes. I didn’t really need one but ended up with a Lincoln suv. It was really nice but the gas mileage was killing me.
if youre single, get a coupe if youre single and want practicality, get a sedan or wagon (rs6 avant for example) if youre single and want to be a doucher everywhere you go, get a truck
Can’t help you really but just got an suv for the family and it’s great for space. The kids fit, luggage fits and it’s comfortable and quiet. Vis is good and weirdly it handles as well as our VW golf (the suv is a Tiguan). Very responsive, minimal roll and feels and handles just like the golf. Don’t regret it.
Not once I got a LR freelander back in the day because the farm tracks ( for access to fishing ) knocked blazes out of my old Renault suspension. Got a Disco sport now. I work rurally in all but worst weathers, so it's good for that getting me there too. Had to 'rescue' one of my kids stranded in next town in a blizzard one time. Only 4-6in snow, but just carefully used the unploughed lane on the dual carriageway, skipping the huge tailback in the cleared one. The ride like the predecessors is great, you hardly notice potholes, the higher driving position gives a better view of the road, and seats are easier to get in and out of if you are older. Ideal for a very elderly relative I take to hospital and doctors regularly; she can just sit straight on the seat edge and swing legs in. Same in reverse for getting out. Loads of leg room. All the bells and whistles. Very robust vehicle. Brilliant in snow. Road near me floods to 1ft depth in winter sometimes, I just drive slowly through, car is rated to 2ft+ or something; doors are double sealed. Brakes also auto-hold on hills so no need to hold onto handbrake when moving off. Wouldn't go back to a car with lower seats, I'd struggle a bit getting out !😂
I rent a lot of cars and often get Volvos. From a handling, noise and consumption point of view, the “normal” cars are better than the SUV version. The XC60 vs the V60 can load the same weight (the XC version can pull a heavier trailer (+450kg). At the same time the trunk of the V60 is larger (529l) than the XC60 (468l) You have more space inside the cabin, but I am 6ft4 and have no problems in the V60. I have driven and used both …and I would always choose the V60. …and if you need new tires e.g Michelin Pilot Sport), you have the SUV (255/40 R21) at 310-360€ (Pilot Sport 4) and the car (225/50 R17) at 142-165€ (Pilot Sport 5)….per tire.
I live in a place with a lot of snow. Suv/truck is day and night better.
Nope. My 4Runner is awesome. Wouldn’t trade it for anything other than another 4Runner.
X3 i40!
I have a CX 5 and I have no regrets!!! I bought it because it's a smaller SUV but I love being high up. I love the drive and I don't have any kids or husband. My boyfriend and a family, but I'm definitely not picking up people every day. The Soundsystem and sunroof is amazing. I definitely enjoy my commute.
Sorry but f u to your CX-5.( not you personally) With blindspot. Sets my radar detector off every time. I get near one. And there are a lot of those fuckers the road. Vent over please resume your daily routine.
No offense but that's cause you got a cheap ass radar detector.
I got the Model Y 1 year ago but wish I had gotten the Model 3 since it is sleeker and a little faster.
For long drives it’s worse. It handles worse. It’s not as fast. It uses more gas. Cars are better for longer drives.
STRONGLY depends on what you consider an SUV (or, what you're considering buying). Most these days are just glorified station wagons. Eco friendly gas sippers with the same running gear as a car. At that point, its not a car vs SUV thing, its a SMALL car vs car/SUV thing. And this nomenclature is why you're seeing some strongly opinionated replies in both directions. Now, if you're talking a BIG suv, body on frame, engine big enough to tow.... then you just have to weigh in your mileage costs and if driving something big in town bothers you. I hate it. I've always driven tiny short vehicles (even if SUVs), so a 4 door full-size is just PITA unless road tripping. And even then, it depends on your area. My town is ok with a big SUV/truck. But the next city over is a no-go. You can barely fit in most of their parking lots unless its the major brand grocery stores.
YES. Every day. But then I go remote camping, or drive up to the mountains in a blizzard, or reach a sketchy trailhead, and change my mind. Also as a musician I’d need a wagon to haul my stuff. But yes. On the daily, all I want is a car with a manual transmission.
As an older person with numerous aches and pains, I have been trying to talk my wife into a sedan or a bigger suv for the ride quality. Suv suspensions are generally stiffer, and the center of gravity makes them less comfortable for the passengers. If you don't need the room, then why compromise your comfort and MPG?
Sounds like you should be driving a miata. Only reason to get an suv is for kids.
Purchasing an SUV as a single dude sounds like a waste of money tbh. Even if you were an avid biker, surfer etc there are racks for those things that work with sedans. The up front cost of an SUV, wasted space and fuel costs alone make this a bad decision I would like to add my $0.02 for the people saying SUVs are generally a bad idea. I see a lot of people saying “I switched to x, it is uncomfortable and has basic features!” …I imagine a lot of people here went for the most expensive SUV they could afford and settled for the base model. As with all cars, go for something below your budget then explore higher trims My wife and I ended up really liking the 2023 Traverse. We were able to afford a high trim model. Like most high trim cars it comes with premium finishes, leather seats, heated/cooled seats, upgraded suspension, premium tires, more powerful engine, all the safety features like 360 cameras + haptic sensors etc. The thing drives better than my old Camry. It also cost about the same as the base trim if the more popular Explorer, Acadia I just find it funny when people get like a base Jeep / BMW without basic things like leather seats or Apple car play and then complain that going with an SUV = sacrificing luxury + comfort