New SUVs

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Am I the only person on the planet that doesn't get the point of SUV's?

No you're not! It's not often I agree with Jeremy Clarkson, but he hit the nail on the head with this:

“You get the same amount of interior space as you would in a normal hatchback but because of the extra weight and tallness, you get less performance and terrible fuel economy.
The trouble is that, these days, absolutely everyone wants a hatchback on stilts. They all want a commanding view of the road. And they don’t realise that soon it won’t be commanding at all, because everyone will be at the same height. Which means cars will have to keep on getting taller and taller until you need a ladder to get inside. And instead of airbags, you’ll have a parachute.
The other problem is that crossover mini SUVs, or whatever it is they’re called, are all extremely dreary to drive. And look at. And be near. I really genuinely hate them.”

Car & Driver headed its driving impressions of the Nissan Kicks, which replaces the Puke in the US:

"Here's another one: Nissan's Kicks subcompact crossover is exactly what the world wants. Alas

[FIRE]

Because people like them because better visibility and easier to get in and out the car.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

No you're not! It's not often I agree with Jeremy Clarkson, but he hit the nail on the head with this:

“You get the same amount of interior space as you would in a normal hatchback but because of the extra weight and tallness, you get less performance and terrible fuel economy.
The trouble is that, these days, absolutely everyone wants a hatchback on stilts. They all want a commanding view of the road. And they don’t realise that soon it won’t be commanding at all, because everyone will be at the same height. Which means cars will have to keep on getting taller and taller until you need a ladder to get inside. And instead of airbags, you’ll have a parachute.
The other problem is that crossover mini SUVs, or whatever it is they’re called, are all extremely dreary to drive. And look at. And be near. I really genuinely hate them.”

Car & Driver, headed its driving impressions of the Nissan Kicks, which replaces the Puke in the US:

"Here's another one: Nissan's Kicks subcompact crossover is exactly what the world wants. Alas

A Google search shows he uses Range Rover and Volvo SUV's as his private cars...

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by FIRE

A Google search shows he uses Range Rover and Volvo SUV's as his private cars...

Yes, that's true. However, he has done so for decades, possibly, no make that probably, because he lives out in the country on an estate that also includes his own farm. Plus he has, or had, a gaggle of dogs, and both of those cars are ideal carriages for the environment that he spends most of his time in.

[Mike Bell]

It’s should be horses for courses, surely. Trouble is, a vast proportion of the car buying public have been brainwashed into believing they have to have an SUV, crossover or whatever, despite the disadvantages quoted above!

Different if you need to tow 3.5 tonnes, traverse the Sahara or a nearer equivalent, are a livestock farmer, have several Old English sheepdogs, or.....

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Yes, that's true. However, he has done so for decades, possibly, no make that probably, because he lives out in the country on an estate that also includes his own farm. Plus he has, or had, a gaggle of dogs, and both of those cars are ideal carriages for the environment that he spends most of his time in.

He could have picked an Outback or V90 Cross Country.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

He could have picked an Outback or V90 Cross Country.

I think that you will find that his "choice" is actually made by the car manufacturers. Most of his "runaround" cars are provided free of charge in anticipation of glowing press reports.

[NaBUru38]

Ford Explorer

5.05 m long, 2.00 m wide
2.3L and 3.0L turbo gasoline engines (longitudinally mounted)
10-speed automatic gearbox

[NaBUru38]

Cadillac XT6

5.05 m long
3.6L V6 engine
9-speed gearbox
Front or four wheel drive
2015 kg

[Mike Bell]

Seems they’ve taken the XC90 side profile as the way to go, same as Kia have with the Telluride!

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Seems they’ve taken the XC90 side profile as the way to go, same as Kia have with the Telluride!

Looks like you're not the only one to notice this - https://sniffpetrol.com/2019/01/15/2...show-round-up/

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Alfaholic

Looks like you're not the only one to notice this - https://sniffpetrol.com/2019/01/15/2...show-round-up/

Well, it is fairly obvious..... The best looking copy of the XC90 is the XC60, which in my eyes is even better looking.

[NaBUru38]

Mazda CX-30


4.40 m long
Fills the gap between the CX-3 and CX-5 (?)

[NaBUru38]

Porsche Cayenne Coupé

4.93 m long
340-550 hp engines
2100-2250 kg

[ScotsBrutesFan]

What is the point of these "SUV's" when they take away all the space from behind the seats by having such a sloping 3/4 and back hatch.

I demand a new category be created for these oversized car based things. I would call it a Chelsea tractor but they aren't even worthy of that designation either as it looks like the nearest the designers thought about off road was a driveway.

[Mike Bell]

Exactly! If I had an SUV I would expect it to have huge carrying capacity, not less than a wagon or estate.....

At least (in my eyes) the Porker is not as pointless looking as the beemer X6......

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

What is the point of these "SUV's" when they take away all the space from behind the seats by having such a sloping 3/4 and back hatch.

I demand a new category be created for these oversized car based things. I would call it a Chelsea tractor but they aren't even worthy of that designation either as it looks like the nearest the designers thought about off road was a driveway.

Is this what a crossover is? I actually don't know.

Speaking of which, here's a crossover small SUV thing. Tesla Model Y.



Shares 75% of its parts with the Model 3. And just looks like it's been slightly stretched.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Is this what a crossover is? I actually don't know.

Speaking of which, here's a crossover small SUV thing. Tesla Model Y.

Shares 75% of its parts with the Model 3. And just looks like it's been slightly stretched.

I think the Cayenne is a ‘Coupe SUV’. Still 4 wheel drive and decent towing limit, just with reduced practicality..... Most ‘crossovers’ are just jacked up hatchbacks, with SUV stying influences!

The Model Y will surely take sales away from the Model 3. Same underneath, ‘10% bigger’, but not sure in what direction, a hatch / tailgate (the lack of which limits the 3’s appeal, IMO), and eventually a 6 seat (2-2-2) option. Excellent cd of 0.23, same as the saloon. By the time sales start in these shores I’ll be ready for one- but whether I will be able to afford it is another matter!

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I think the Cayenne is a ‘Coupe SUV’. Still 4 wheel drive and decent towing limit, just with reduced practicality..... Most ‘crossovers’ are just jacked up hatchbacks, with SUV stying influences!

The Model Y will surely take sales away from the Model 3. Same underneath, ‘10% bigger’, but not sure in what direction, a hatch / tailgate (the lack of which limits the 3’s appeal, IMO), and eventually a 6 seat (2-2-2) option. Excellent cd of 0.23, same as the saloon. By the time sales start in these shores I’ll be ready for one- but whether I will be able to afford it is another matter!

They aint cheap here in Aus.... the least expensive available (the 3 is not here for another year apparently) is the 75S with a starting price over 100K Aussie Pesos.... the 90D over double that.

[NaBUru38]

Mercedes-Benz GLB Class

4.60 m long
7 seats
4-cylinder engines

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Mercedes-Benz GLB Class

4.60 m long
7 seats
4-cylinder engines

And eventually a twin motor BEV version.

Worth pointing output that the car in the pics is still a concept, and some of the styling add ons such as the arches, wheels, tyres and roof box/lights were added to hint at ‘ruggedness’.......

[NaBUru38]

Mercedes-Benz GLS Class


5.20 m long, 1.95 m wide

6- and 8-cylinder engines

[Mike Harte]

I cannot see, for the life of me, anything sporty in any of the SUVs that are being produced. They are just refined Jeeps.

[NaBUru38]

The person who coined the term "sport utility vehicle" was quite imaginative.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I cannot see, for the life of me, anything sporty in any of the SUVs that are being produced. They are just refined Jeeps.

I was thinking there's very little U in then, at least there's some sporty models with lowered chassis and an upgraded engine. Full leather and nothing but seats isn't really utility. It's a van without being called a van, or for the US it's a hatchback/wagon without being called that because apparently wagons aren't cool