If you’re looking at SUVs, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming as there are so many on the market. Do you want compact crossovers, mid-size ones, three-row behemoths? The options are endless, but the good news is that there’s no reason your SUV search needs to be complicated. Sometimes you just need a little clarity about what you actually need and how to shop wisely.
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Decide What You Need
Before ever stepping foot on a lot, assess your life. Are you driving kids to practices three times a week? Are you going on weekend getaways with lots of gear? Do you merely want the safety of a larger vehicle while sitting in an elevated position? These are not questions to downplay; they will help determine the difference between a compact crossover and a full-size SUV.
Think about an average week for you. Most people overestimate how much space they need because they remember the one time they helped a friend move their sofa from one side of town to the other. If you’re accessing your third row once a year and rarely packing down your cargo area, you may be doing yourself a disservice (and spending more money than needed) by getting an SUV that’s much larger than you need. Conversely, if you’re playing a game of Tetris with your groceries and sports equipment every day, don’t convince yourself that a model getting better gas mileage is all you need.
Where Size Actually Matters
SUV sizing is tricky because certain sizes overlap and it doesn’t always make sense. However, if you’re considering compact SUVs like the RAV4 or CR-V, it’s perfect for couples or small families who want the benefits of an SUV without all of the space. These vehicles are easier to park, get better gas mileage, and to be honest, drive like a car.
Mid-size SUVs are the best option for many buyers. The Highlander, Pilot, or Explorer offers the extra third row when needed (relative to space) and considerable enough cargo space but is compact enough (comparatively) to still fit in regular parking spots. They’re still expensive to fill up but not gas guzzlers by any means.
The full-size SUVs are for those who actually need the extra space/weight for capacity or towing purposes. Think Tahoe, Expedition, or Yukon. These are heavy-duty vehicles with heavy-duty price tags that are heavy-duty to operate and maintain. Don’t simply buy one because it looks good – buy one because you need everything it has to offer.
New vs. Used: The Financial Equation
This is where things get really interesting. Once someone buys a new SUV and drives off the lot, the vehicle depreciates immediately anywhere from 20% within the first year alone. That’s a lot of money people are willing to walk away from. But with Used SUVs, someone else gets hit with that depreciation while you’re purchasing a vehicle with minimal wear and tear.
For example, a three-year-old SUV will only have about 30,000 miles on it and cost anywhere from $10,000 – $15,000 less than the brand-new one parked right next to it. Same features, same safety technology, same reliability – just without the new car smell and the harsh depreciation in year one that most consumers don’t want to stomach. For most consumers, this makes sense.
What to Look For
Safety should be your first priority. Most modern SUVs have safety features like backup cameras (which are required now), blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking; many of which are only available in models after 2018. They’re not gimmicks – they save lives.
Cargo space has a different feel than a digital approximation. If you can bring some groceries on a test drive – or even better, some of the kids’ sports equipment – do it! See if their car seats comfortably fit in the back. Specs online won’t tell you if your liftgate goes high enough or if your third row is truly comfortable for adults.
Gas mileage is another huge factor that varies based on makes and models. A compact crossover (a non-gas guzzler) might get about 28-30 mpg combined whereas a full-size SUV may not even have 20 mpg combined through its city/highway averages. That’s a significant difference over driving over one year that translates into real money; don’t just go by what’s on the sticker – consider what’s realistic for your pocketbook.
Test It Out for Yourself
You’ve got to take it for a spin. And not just around the block – get it up to highway speeds, take some turns, slam the brakes somewhere safe. Does it hold well? Do you have good visuals? Some SUVs have horrible blind spots and you’ll hate it every single day for three years until lease turn-in.
Pay attention to those little things that’ll bother you every day – can you reach climate control without looking? Is the infotainment system easy to navigate or poorly curated? Where are cup holders located; are they stupid spots? These unassumingly minor things become major daily inconveniences when one will most likely be stuck with this vehicle for the next five years.
Furthermore, check the cargo area both ways – for seats up and down – and ensure you know how the seat folding works – some are easier than others for day-to-day living with kids who always need to access a third row instead of constantly having someone fold and flip seats back and forth.
Don’t Forget About the Research
Get a car fax before buying used! You want to know if it’s ever been in an accident or how often it’s been maintained – or if it’s had significant wear and tear – should someone just be selling it junk because they’re trying to pass off their problems onto someone else? Was it in an accident with extensive repairs or is the title clean?
Have a mechanic check before purchase. Yes, it may run you about $100 for this test, but it’s worth it to prevent buying junked cars that could cause headaches three months down the road when something falls apart – and you’d never know in a test drive whether the suspension is problematic or if you’ve just worn down brakes or struggled transmissions.
Check reliability ratings based on year and model type; some makes have known issues for this year while other years seem bulletproof. Research should make you feel confident buying your newer version used (that’s still in great shape).
Final Thoughts
If you’ve found something almost suitable, sleep on it. Return for another test drive if you feel like you need more time; there are no prizes for rushing purchase decision-making.
Things to consider are subsequent operating costs – insurance, gas, maintenance all vary based on what you’re looking at; sometimes $1,000 more of sticker price could mean less for insurance/maintenance down the road. If you’re not prepared for this complication, find something else until you’re ready.
Sometimes finding an SUV that’s right for you comes from honest self-assessment and then some research; don’t get dazzled by features you’ll never use and don’t think you need more car than what’s necessary – honest realistic expectations will lead you successfully behind the wheel time and time again.
