SUV Land

[Frank Lee]

America's shift to SUVs is on display at L.A. Auto Show | KSTP.com

America's shift from cars to SUVs is starting to look permanent, and automakers are scrambling to meet the demand.

Toyota, Ford, Subaru, Jeep and Volkswagen are all showing new SUVs at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. Even traditional luxury car makers like Jaguar and Alfa Romeo are debuting SUVs at the show, which opens to the public on Friday.

Americans bought more SUVs than four-door cars for the first time last year, and the momentum is growing, according to registration data from IHS Markit. In the first nine months of this year, SUVs made up 39.5 percent of new-vehicle registrations; cars stood at 32 percent.

Unlike the previous SUV boom in the early 2000s — which fell victim to rising gas prices — this one is likely to stay. That's because automakers are offering more small SUVs with better fuel economy. The country's top-selling sedan, the Toyota Camry, gets 28 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. The top-selling small SUV, the Honda CR-V, gets 29 mpg.

"There's no reason to not buy an SUV," says Rebecca Lindland, a senior analyst with Kelley Blue Book. "I can't imagine a lot of scenarios where this trend is going to change."

I guess it's OK if they meet or beat fe from cars. But I think it would be OKer if more Escort wagon clones were out there.

[spacemanspif]

Newer Camrys are huge inside and out and the last small SUV I was in had trouble fitting 2 beach chairs in the cargo area. I'll take the Camry any day but I wish they'd make more true station wagons. I love the utility of my Focus have almost no true wagon options when the time comes for a new car...

[Fat Charlie]

My wife bought an SUV once. Then she got a minivan for some actual utility. I did fine with my mid size wagon and am still doing fine with my compact hatch.

And while I don't dare with the van, I pass SUVs in the snow with the hatch.

[Fingie]

aand what happens if oil prices suddenly go up because of some unpredictable event?

[jakobnev]

Then the tax payers will buy those SUVs and crush them. (it's for the environment)

[freebeard]

That's a pretty broad generalization.

[Xist]

The biggest difference between the two is height, length, and weight.

Someone is trying harder than the other.

[redpoint5]

I would guess there are big differences in aerodynamic efficiency, too. SUVs tend to be more squared off at the back end, which would negatively affect the coefficient of drag. The MPG difference between sedans and SUVs might be small in urban driving, but I doubt the same is true on the highway.

[Hersbird]

The problem is not just the size it is the power they put into cars and SUVs. If the power is there both the EPA test and the general consumer uses it. That's why they should allow epa testing with an "eco" mode active. Then makers could show how a detuned, short shifted, powerband helps MPG. Then the consumer would be more likely to activate it as well. I think they also need a 75mph steady state EPA economy test to show consumers what aerodynamics can do in the real world of high speed driving. I bet many families who own an SUV also own a car but when they head off across country they choose the SUV because last time they almost got 20mph on the trip while day to day the car is only getting 25 mpg around town. They don't realize the car might get twice the mpg on the trip.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

The problem is not just the size it is the power they put into cars and SUVs. If the power is there both the EPA test and the general consumer uses it. That's why they should allow epa testing with an "eco" mode active. Then makers could show how a detuned, short shifted, powerband helps MPG. Then the consumer would be more likely to activate it as well.

Eco modes do nothing of note. The EPA tested a BMW in 400 and 500hp modes and found no difference. I have two cars with Eco modes and all they do is force you to use more revs (you can't de-tune AND short shift). For average Joe they might help, but that's only as they reduce leadfootedness which isn't part of the EPA testing anyway.