Tips For Choosing An SUV

Many people are buying sports utility vehicles (SUVs) due to their spaciousness, looks, and many other reasons. However, an SUV is still a car, and you need to take your time to choose the best one for your circumstances. Below are some of the factors that can help you get the right SUV.

Use

How you plan to use your SUV should be the biggest factor in determining which make and model to purchase. You need to know:

  • How often you will be driving the car
  • Whether you will be driving long distances (think multistate road trips)
  • The nature of the roads or environments you will be frequenting

All these and more will determine the reliability, safety, and cost of operating your SUV. For example, while SUVs tend to be bigger than other cars, they are not all suitable for off-road usage. Therefore, if you want a car to take off the beaten path regularly, you should get one specifically meant for off-road driving.

Spacing and Seating

Spacing refers to the interior volume of the car while seating is strictly the number of seats a car is fitted with. Spacing is important if you want an SUV that can carry a lot of cargo. Seating is important if you want an SUV for a large family. Both spacing and seating are important if you will be carrying lots of cargo, you love big and roomy cars, and you have a fairly large family.

An SUV will typically carry at least five people. However, some SUVs have as many as nine seats. Cargo space can range from slightly over two dozen cubic feet to over 40 cubic feet. If cargo, rather than seating, is your main consideration, then you should consider an SUV with third-row seats that fold to increase the cargo volume even further.

Ownership Costs

Lastly, it also pays to consider the cost of ownership of your potential purchases. The cost of ownership is determined by various expenses such as:

  • Maintenance and repair costs
  • Cost of the car
  • Reliability
  • Fuel consumption   

Note that an SUV is likely to have a higher cost of ownership than a sedan or compact car. Keep this in mind when upgrading from a subcompact or sedan to an SUV.

Buying a pre-owned SUV is a good way of saving on the initial cost of ownership. Don't forget to make your purchase from a reputable dealer to get a well-maintained car if you are buying used.

Contact a dealership for more information on pre-owned vehicles, such as a used Honda, for sale in your area.


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