are SUVs still a practical option these days?

**slyfox** · March 24th, 2006 05:35 AM

hey guys lately i've been seriously considering buying an SUV instead of a sedan. since this will be my 1st time i've done the rounds at different dealers and surfed thru tsikot.com extensively. one thing that's stopping me though is the price and the gas consumption. given current gas prices do you still think it's wise to buy an SUV these days? i'm not that much of an out-of-towner...mostly city driving with the occasional trips once a month at most. most of the benefits i've heard about driving an suv is basically the space and mostly the "porma". in the end do you think the cost is all worth that? your opinions please

thanks!

**nugundam93** · March 24th, 2006 06:36 AM

we never bought the pajero for porma. it's for space and utility, considering that our bad road (the one we pass to and from the house, not to mention the other routes like EDSA) can kill a car, and flooded yung usual routes namin during the rainy season.

it's still practical, comparably speaking. of course, it's bigger, so expect parts to be comparably more expensive as well.

**ILuvDetailing** · March 24th, 2006 08:28 AM

can you tell us your budget and your choice vehicles? Well if you are after fuel savings get a sub compact - Vios, Jazz, Getz, etc. SUVs and cars with the same engine displacement will get you roughly the same fuel consumption, its all in the driving style.

**av8or5** · March 24th, 2006 09:50 AM

i agree with both comments previously posted. i got an SUV because i wanted a vehicle which can handle the Philippine road and a car that is higher in height for easier driving.

Just like what "Iluvdetailing" said, most mid size cars have almost the same engine displacement as compact SUV, therefore, gas usage is comparable.

**empy** · March 24th, 2006 11:54 AM

depends on how you define practical.

if practical = cargo and hauling space, yes

if practical = fuel efficient, no

i'm not trying to be pilosopo...only stating that it depends on what trait you value the most. for me i got one because i'm a big DIY guy around the house so i need to haul all the stuff i get from Home Depot. all my wife and kid's crap also fits nicely for whatever they want to do in their active lifestyles. so what i did was to just double my budgeted gas allowance and try my best to forget about it :D

**OTEP** · March 24th, 2006 11:56 AM

For my intents and purposes, an SUV is not only practical, sometimes its the only choice.

Maybe a people carrier or minivan would fit your needs better.

For ultimate fuel economy, superminis are hard to beat (Picanto, Getz, etc.)

**kimpOy** · March 24th, 2006 12:09 PM

my 97 trooper was the perfect suv for me...
big enough for my family, not so thirsty, rugged inside out, no CRDi mumbo jumbo , just your plain TDiC engine...

sayang i needed to dispose it...

**mazdamazda** · March 24th, 2006 12:11 PM

well... if are really after practicality (purchase price & operating cost) then an SUV shouldn't be your first choice.

it will be heavier than your regular sedan, have a higher drag coefficient, uses bigger tires, etc. so fuel consumption is just so-so at best.

if you are just after the "porma" factor... well... don't join the bandwagon especially if it'll really affect your finances. as will smith said... "people spend money that they haven't earned yet to impress people that they don't even like"

**niky** · March 24th, 2006 01:53 PM

If you're a probinsyano, like some of us, an SUV would be practical for the floods, mud, potholes, etcetera, that plague our provincial roads.

Of course, in view of all that, I still drive a sedan... silly me! (especially since our last one was drowned in a flood a couple of years ago)

Of course, we do have an AUV for work.

An SUV is useful as a hauler and provincial car, but if 99% of your driving is in the city, I think it'd be better to get a car or a minivan. If the price tag is enough to give you pause, then you probably can't afford the monthlies and the maintenance, either.

If value for money matters most to you, maybe you should look for a supermini:

The Jazz has about 1000 liters of useable luggage space with the rear seats down... the City has 500 liters of useable space in the trunk... bigger than almost any other sedan on the market. And if you're going out of town, the places where you CAN'T drive the City don't have decent toilets anyway.

or an AUV/MPV:

The Innova gives you better seating capacity than most SUVs/cars, with a somewhat better ride than the Crosswind. It also drives a bit like a car (not as much as the Grandis or Serena does, but better than the older AUVs) so it's not hard to get used to. D4D issues aside, it's good value for the money.

Of course, if you're worried about gas prices but have more to spend, you can still get a Ford Everest. The Everest will give you 90% of the off-road capabilities of a full-on SUV at 1/3 the price. Not the most fuel efficient, but not a guzzler, and the drivetrain and engine are proven. Rides like an AUV, but it's got tons more space.