Are SUV's that bad?

On which subject, has anyone read the crash test results for the new Citroen C6? It's the first car to get 4 stars for pedestrian protection. Apparently it has a sensor that opens the bonnet a bit when it hits a pedestrian, thus allowing the bonnet to cushion them away from the engine. Cool or what?

The Atheist wrote:

Are you sure it doesn't open after hitting the pedestrian to get them off your car?

LOL
Haven't read the thread yet but here is my opinion.

European SUVs are no where near the size on the American ones.
The mid range models are just over grown cars, Santa Fea, Grand Vitara, etc.
Landcrusier, Range Rover is the way to go.
Personally, I love them. The extra height makes a difference when it comes to over taking.
Some of the smaller SUVs are just as economical as large family cars.
I can see where some people are coming from. SUV are not pedestrian friendly in an accident.
At times I think jealously is part of the reason some people don't like SUVs

Couple of points, even though I'm probably repeating what others have said.
I find it ridiculous that mid range SUV's are being compared to LARGE cars, like the 7 series. The espace vs vitara comparison was skewed by the fact that the vitara was diesel, the espace petrol. No-one in their right mind would buy a petrol espace. So enough of the apples to oranges comparisons.
Not one of the SUV apologists on this thread has addressed the points raised about handling/braking/aerodynamics. As for economy/emissions - can any of you say that an x5 3.0d is going to be faster than a 530d, or use less fuel?
Others are clinging to the idea of "I can buy whatever the **** car I want". Sure you can, go right ahead, and **** everything, and everyone else. Its the "I'm alright Jack" attitude, taken onto the road.

Right, answer this so. A single person, or perhaps a couple with no kids. Are they more likely to buy something like a petrol espace, or a midsized SUV? Yes, you guessed right. Lots and lots of people buying SUV's that they can't fill up. And what about smaller suvs? They still have the same efficiency losses compared to a small car, and have **** all storage space. Why not just buy a hatchback car? Not trendy enough?
You also made the point that people aren't moaning enough about people who drive massive mercs/beemers by themselves. Fair enough, but they have been doing so for years, its a certain type of person that does so, and will always do so. SUV's seem to have a far wider appeal, which is the worrying thing.

maidhc wrote:

The only conclusion I can draw is that everyone will have to agree to differ.

True. That said, this thread has confirmed many of my previously-held suspicions regarding the attitudes and values of those who drive SUVs through choice rather than through necessity. For that alone, it's been worth reading for me.

colm_mcm wrote:

should trucks and buses now be banned?

That point has been answered sooooo many times in this thread....

prospect (not alone), you read like a shill for an SUV manufacturer.

A few points:

SUV v MPV. MPV will often have a lower front with better close up visibility and will strike pedestrians in the legs where as a typical SUV profile will hit the chest. The new Ford (I don't know what its called) will likely hit a pedestrian in the shoulders or head.

How about you compare an SUV with a super-mini. I don't know many 6-year olds on the school run who complain about the leg room in a super-mini.

SUVs and MPVs impair visibility for others, especially pedestrians and cyclists (both of which have an eyeline much higher than a car.)

SUV says "screw you" - so its bound to get a reaction, just like metallic silver merc drivers who drive too close.

Driving little Johnny to school is twice as dangerous as walking him to school.

prospect wrote:

But it still doesn't answer the question. No-one seems to be able to give a good valid reason why an SUV (small variant) driver receives this kind of 'bad-press' and yet the owner of the high powered coupe, huge executive car and large people carrier doesn't. They all serve needs, and to me the SUV is not the worst offender.

Because the SUV is the most obvious target. For an ordinary Joe, its difficult to tell a 1.6L from a 2.4L. It is easy to point out the SUV.

Why doesn't Mr.Single guy who drives a 2.0L VW Passat not get targetted. He doesn't NEED such a big car? He should have a Smart car, or at a push a Toyota Aygo!!!

Because he doesn't stand out from the crowd.

dts wrote:

But your view will be compramised by a ford transit or even a astra with blacked out windows. A caravan, a horse box, a truck and a tractor so why pick on the SUV?

Because the public view the transit as a necessity and the Astra doesn't block the view for pedestrians and cyclists.

dts wrote:

I think you will find most SUV drivers drive slower than all those little cars.

I am quite sure this is the driver's perspective only. The closer you are to the road surface, the greater the parallax - hence the buzz of a small sports car.

Anan1 wrote:

I'm not so sure of that. There are many far more expensive cars than SUVs doing the rounds at the moment, and they don't seem to be attracting anything like the same level of criticism.

For a given price range a car is always safer than an SUV.

colm_mcm wrote:

should trucks and buses now be banned?

For the amount they carry trucks and buses kill far fewer people and pollute less. They aren't perfect, but they are much better.

colm_mcm wrote:

ok, sorry. reading all the previous posts is sooooo hard work! the point should be, if you're a driver and care about pedestrian safety you shouldn't crash into them, and if you're a pedestrian who doesn't want to get hit by cars, don't wander onto the road.

You can tell people not to run into things, but that doesn't account for human circumstance or genuine accident.

What about the pedestrians that are run down when they are still on the footpath?

colm_mcm wrote:

The more safety improvements that are made on cars, the more lax peoples attitudes to safety become. In the late nineties, a number of people with ABS equipped cars were surveyed, among the positive feed back was " it means I can drive 10mph faster on bad roads"

Yes, its a problem, but one that needs to be address through mostly other means.

I saw this pedestrian friendly SUV on Sunday.

dts wrote:

Also what about the fact that an SUV can drive over someone without touching them wher a car will crush there body as it rolls under?

Are you for real??:D

dts wrote:

I thought it was a good point.

And why exactly would a pedestrian be lying flat between the wheels of a moving SUV in the first place??:D

joolsveer. these bullbars you show aren't original manufacturers, they're spurious parts. what has this got to do with whether SUV's are safe. you can fit a bull bar to anything