4 ms·

This is a commonly known problem of SUVs, their center of gravity is a lot higher so they're a lot easier to flip over. That's why I'm puzzled by people who buy

This is a commonly known problem of SUVs, their center of gravity is a lot higher so they're a lot easier to flip over. That's why I'm puzzled by people who buy urban SUVs, that is, jeep-like cars that they never intend to use off-road.

verbify 10y ago
Quite often they're a fashion statement more than anything else.
- brohoolio 10y ago
  Transporting a family takes room. Rear facing car seats don't necessarily fit into smaller cars.
  - mjolk 10y ago
    Large sedans and station wagons are valid alternatives; SUVs are similarly or higher-priced.
  - mjolk 10y ago
    Large sedans and station wagons are valid alternatives; SUVs are similarly or higher-priced than safer options.
    - knz 10y ago
      Height is the big advantage of SUV's and minivans. Kids stay in carseats much longer now and the seats can be quite bulky. It's a lot easier to load them into something with some height.
zwily 10y ago
People like the visibility from sitting higher. Also, "bigger = safer" is a common thought process.
- Theodores 10y ago
  Also people get old and want a car that they can get in and out of without having to lift/drop their own centre of gravity.
knz 10y ago
Ride height, more cabin space for kids, some use for four wheel drive if you live in a climate with snow/ice, and/or personal preference? I currently drive a civic so am just guessing...
rhino369 10y ago
They flip over easier but they are more heavy, which is safer in crashes. In a head to head crash between a car and an SUV, the SUV is significantly safer. I believe SUV's have lower fatalities per mile driven.
- tmnvix 10y ago
  > I believe SUV's have lower fatalities per mile driven. I would be interested to know how this compares with other vehicles if 'fatalities per mile driven' included fatalities that involved non-SUV occupants.
aidenn0 10y ago
1: Station wagons that seat more than 5 people basically don't exist anymore (last I checked only the Mercedes Benz could do so in the US). 2: Minivans have an image problem (still associated with the "soccer mom" stereotype for Gen X; millenials appear to be less averse to them). In addition, most minivans are elevated so that they can have a flat floor, so they similarly have an elevated center of gravity.
- mikeash 10y ago
  Bringing it back full circle, the Tesla Model S can also seat 7, as long as two are children (and you buy the option for third row seats).
  - aidenn0 10y ago
    Yeah, if I was willing to drop $90k on a car that would have been an option. The E-class station wagon is cheaper, but still more than we were looking at. The Mazda 5 was an amazing car, but is now discontinued in the US, meaning there are now no compact cars that can seat 6+.
    - mikeash 10y ago
      I didn't realize the Mazda 5 was discontinued. Too bad, it looked like a pretty practical design.
- TeMPOraL 10y ago
  > Minivans have an image problem (still associated with the "soccer mom" stereotype for Gen X; millenials appear to be less averse to them). Might be that millennial perception you're talking about, but I always thought soccer moms drive SUVs.

verbify 10y ago

Quite often they're a fashion statement more than anything else.

brohoolio 10y ago
Transporting a family takes room. Rear facing car seats don't necessarily fit into smaller cars.
- mjolk 10y ago
  Large sedans and station wagons are valid alternatives; SUVs are similarly or higher-priced.
- mjolk 10y ago
  Large sedans and station wagons are valid alternatives; SUVs are similarly or higher-priced than safer options.
  - knz 10y ago
    Height is the big advantage of SUV's and minivans. Kids stay in carseats much longer now and the seats can be quite bulky. It's a lot easier to load them into something with some height.

zwily 10y ago

People like the visibility from sitting higher. Also, "bigger = safer" is a common thought process.

Theodores 10y ago
Also people get old and want a car that they can get in and out of without having to lift/drop their own centre of gravity.

knz 10y ago

Ride height, more cabin space for kids, some use for four wheel drive if you live in a climate with snow/ice, and/or personal preference? I currently drive a civic so am just guessing...

rhino369 10y ago

They flip over easier but they are more heavy, which is safer in crashes. In a head to head crash between a car and an SUV, the SUV is significantly safer. I believe SUV's have lower fatalities per mile driven.

tmnvix 10y ago
> I believe SUV's have lower fatalities per mile driven. I would be interested to know how this compares with other vehicles if 'fatalities per mile driven' included fatalities that involved non-SUV occupants.

aidenn0 10y ago

1: Station wagons that seat more than 5 people basically don't exist anymore (last I checked only the Mercedes Benz could do so in the US). 2: Minivans have an image problem (still associated with the "soccer mom" stereotype for Gen X; millenials appear to be less averse to them). In addition, most minivans are elevated so that they can have a flat floor, so they similarly have an elevated center of gravity.

mikeash 10y ago
Bringing it back full circle, the Tesla Model S can also seat 7, as long as two are children (and you buy the option for third row seats).
- aidenn0 10y ago
  Yeah, if I was willing to drop $90k on a car that would have been an option. The E-class station wagon is cheaper, but still more than we were looking at. The Mazda 5 was an amazing car, but is now discontinued in the US, meaning there are now no compact cars that can seat 6+.
  - mikeash 10y ago
    I didn't realize the Mazda 5 was discontinued. Too bad, it looked like a pretty practical design.
TeMPOraL 10y ago
> Minivans have an image problem (still associated with the "soccer mom" stereotype for Gen X; millenials appear to be less averse to them). Might be that millennial perception you're talking about, but I always thought soccer moms drive SUVs.