When to Choose an SUV over a Truck

If you are in the market for a new or used vehicle, you may want to consider an SUV over a pickup truck.  The advantages you will find when considering an SUV over a pickup truck are numerous.  In truth, you find that when you do a little research on SUV vs. pickup information, that it is far more beneficial for you to invest in an SUV.  The advantages that SUVs serve relate to savings in terms of cost, equal power and towing capacities when compared to standard pickups, more space offerings, and more versatility.  Below are some of the major reasons why many consumers choose an SUV over a pickup after taking the SUV vs. pickup debate into consideration.


SUV vs. Pickup Facts

While an SUV and a pickup have a number of similarities, there are some major differences between the two vehicles as well.  If you are seeking a vehicle that gets a good deal of miles per gallon (mpg), you find that there are high mpg SUVs and hybrid pickup SUVs that get more mpg than a standard pickup or a pickup with an extended cab.  SUV’s are usually lighter than pickups in terms of weight, the engines are frequently smaller, and therefore SUVs use less fuel than larger, more expensive to maintain pickup trucks.

An SUV can still give you the space you need and can, in some instances, match the space you get in a pickup truck.  With a trunk area, a cargo holder, and a roof rack, the space offerings of a traditional SUV or a hybrid pickup SUV can be instantly expanded.  In terms of space, SUVs offer more interior space than a standard pickup does.  If a pickup owner wants to get the same amount of interior space that an SUV offers, they are going to have to invest in an extended cab pickup, which typically costs more than a standard pickup.


SUV vs. Pickup Handling Facts

SUVs offer the same types of road handling that many pickups offer, and in some instances, the road handling capabilities in today’s SUVs are even better than what one will get if they invest in a pickup truck.  An SUV doesn’t have an out of balanced body and frame, while a pickup truck, unless weighted down with cargo, frequently has a tail end that is lighter in the back than the front of the vehicle.  Thus, today’s SUVs offer superior on the road and off the road handling, making such vehicles a worthwhile investment.

The SUV vs. pickup debate will reveal to consumers that SUVs frequently supply the consumer with the same towing power that pickups offer.  With the power to tow boats and trailers, an SUV serves as an ideal vehicle for families looking to take a vacation and have a boat, recreational vehicle, or trailer in tow.  Thus, SUVs serve the same purpose as many pickup trucks do, but deliver such advantages at a far more reasonable and sensible cost.


SUV vs. Pickup: Family Considerations

SUVs make better family vehicles than pickups do; a consideration that every family needs to consider when reflecting on the SUV vs. pickup debate.  SUVs are roomy, and offer more passenger room in many instances than a pickup truck will offer.  In addition, since the SUV consumes less fossil fuel, families living on a tight budget will find using an SUV the more affordable option. 

For the year 2008, there are several SUVs that have been selected as the best of the best by experts in the automotive industry and by consumer guides.  Some compact SUVs are ideal for families looking to maximize the mpg they get with the SUV of their choosing, while simultaneously getting a vehicle that supplies maximized comfort and safety levels.  The Honda CR-V, and Suzuki Grand Vitara are considered the best compact SUVs in terms of price and affordability and both vehicles have received the Consumer Guide for Best Buy in 2008.  For a complete review on the Honda CR-V compact SUV, visit:
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2008-honda-cr-v.htm
For a full write up on the Suzuki Grand Vitara compact SUV, visit:
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2008-suzuki-grand-vitara.htm


Other SUVs and Offerings

Premium midsize SUVs also provide consumers with a number of SUV buying options.  Consumers can choose from the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Ford Explorer, the Lexus, the Buick Enclave, the Chrysler Aspen, the Land Rover, the Volkswagen Touareg, the Saab SUV, and the Buick Rainer, among several other premium midsize SUVs.  Receiving a rating of best buy for 2008 are the Acura MDX, the Buick Enclave, and the Lexus RX.  Today’s SUVs have a whole host of safety features including antilock brake systems, front airbags, curtain side airbags, traction control, fortified structures, safety belts, power steering, and more, and SUVs being manufactured today provide the SUV owner with a quiet, well-controlled ride.