Did you know north of 8 million sports utility vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year? According to CarPro, that tally was up by over 1.1 million sales from over 6.8 million in 2022. It adds that the top three sellers were, in order, the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Nissan Rogue.
Meanwhile, Statista says 3.12 million cars were sold in the country in 2023, while total sales for cars and light trucks were around 15.3 million units. So, it’s clear that more consumers are getting behind the steering wheels of SUVs—and trucks for that matter—than cars.
Why Do People Buy SUVs?
While there are plenty of people who still want a sedan or station wagon over an SUV or truck, they’re increasingly in the minority as more drivers gravitate towards something bigger. From the higher seating position to the increased ground clearance and from the towing capabilities to the hauling functionality, SUVs appeal to motorists from all walks of life.
It turns out that SUV drivers, particularly those who wouldn’t trade in their vehicles for cars, make these 15 assumptions about smaller cars on the road.
Small Cars Are Not as Safe as SUVs
Many people switch from cars to SUVs for on-the-road safety reasons. While SUVs offer some advantages over cars, your best bet is to check out individual safety ratings rather than assuming that all SUVs are safer than all cars. You may be surprised at what you find with a little digging.
Small Cars Are Uncomfortable on Long Trips
When researching vehicles, look for specs about legroom, headroom, and overall space for people, pets, and their things. Some cars offer comparable or even superior specs than some SUVs on all of the above.
Small Cars Don’t Have Enough Storage Space
If storage or cargo space is a top priority, you’re better off getting a midsize or larger SUV over a car. Many people who call themselves proud owners of SUVs believe cars can’t meet their storage and cargo space needs and are not worthy of their shortlists when vehicle hunting.
Small Cars Don’t Perform Well Offroad
If you do a lot of off-road driving, you’re better off buying an SUV or a truck over a car. Even a car with AWD will be out of its element in off-road environments. The right SUV will have not just the right drivetrain but also the ground clearance and other features needed for capable off-road driving.
Small Cars Are Harder to See on the Road
Many SUV drivers, desiring to be as safe as possible on the roadway, want vehicles that are easier for other motorists and pedestrians to see. It’s harder to miss a lumbering beast of an SUV than a small nondescript car.
Smaller Cars Are Slower
Have you ever seen an SUV close in on a car moving too slowly on the highway? Unless the car driver is okay with a behemoth of an SUV on its bumper, they’ll scoot to another lane to let the larger vehicle pass. SUV drivers often believe smaller cars get in their way because of a lack of get-up-and-go horsepower.
Small Cars Don’t Hold Up Well in Collision Situations
If you look at safety tests conducted by independent third-party groups, you might be surprised at how well some smaller cars do in collisions. But SUV drivers have a point. If there’s a head-on collision involving an SUV and a small car, which vehicle do you think will sustain the most damage?
Small Cars Aren’t Comfortable for Tall Drivers
Many SUV drivers say that cars aren’t comfortable enough for tall drivers. A smaller car may lack sufficient legroom or headroom, so a taller driver might prefer a roomy SUV.
Small Cars Can’t Handle Towing
If someone needs a vehicle that can do serious towing, they’re more likely to get what they want in an SUV, truck, or crossover. Some cars offer decent towing capability. But, for good reason, motorists who need to tow heavier loads will be better off with an SUV over a smaller car any day.
Smaller Cars Can’t Haul Enough Stuff
SUV drivers who haul a ton of stuff when doing dump runs, getting supplies from big box stores, or helping family members or friends relocate know they can’t haul enough with small cars. So, people who need vehicles offering good hauling cred will steer clear of smaller cars.
Small Cars Can’t Handle Unpaved Roads
If you live in a rural area with unpaved roads, you’ll still see people driving cars. But you’ll see even more motorists behind the steering wheels of SUVs and other larger vehicles. People like SUVs, especially those equipped with AWD or 4WD, because they can handle challenging terrain.
Small Cars Are Only Useful for Urban Dwellers
Some SUV owners believe that small cars are only useful for urban dwellers who rarely leave the cities or suburbs for the most part.
Smaller Cars Are Harder to Spot in Parking Lots
Have you ever tried to find a small car parked in a crowded parking lot? If you park and don’t recall where you parked it, it can be hard to locate. SUV owners believe that car drivers will spend all day trying to find their vehicles when there are so many larger vehicles also parked in the lot.
Small Cars Aren’t As Enjoyable to Drive
Some SUV drivers believe that smaller cars don’t offer the fun driving experience that their vehicles do. That’s a big assumption—given the many fun, agile, and great-handling cars on the road. But it’s a common perception in the SUV driver community nonetheless.
Small Cars Aren’t Handy When Going Shopping
People who like to buy in bulk at places like Costco or Sam’s Club probably prefer larger vehicles over smaller ones. SUV drivers believe small cars won’t cut it when the errands call for buying groceries in bulk. That’s something best left for SUVs with more cargo space.
SUV Drivers Have Many Preconceptions About Smaller Cars
If you’re an SUV driver, perhaps you can relate to some of these assumptions. Some of them are accurate, while others are a stretch.
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