Is An SUV Suitable As A First Car
Posted in: Driving Tips, News.
An SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) is one of the most popular classes of car on the road today. These cars are characterised by their high ride height, spacious interior, four-wheel drive capability and ability to handle rough terrain. Are these cars suitable as a first car? They can be – but it can depend on your circumstances. Below are some of the pros and cons of choosing an SUV as your first car.
The pros of an SUV as a first car?
SUVs have great safety features
SUVs are typically some of the safest vehicles on the road. Their ride height, superior traction and various driver assistance technological features (including rear-facing cameras for parking and even automated parallel parking features) can make them a popular choice for new drivers who may be wary of getting in an accident.
Many of today’s SUVs are fuel-efficient/electric
Buying a modern SUV could save you money at the petrol pump – which could be useful if you’re a new driver on a tight budget. Although older SUVs typically guzzle more fuel than small cars, many recent models are hybrid or electric and therefore very economical. Consider a Peugeot 2008 car dealer of another dealership that specializes in hybrid SUVs to help you save money on fuel.
SUVs are comfortable and have plenty of space
SUVs are some of the roomiest cars that you can buy. They have plenty of boot space and you and your passengers will have plenty of elbow room. They are also a smooth ride and have many mod cons aimed at comfort like air con and heated seats. As a new driver, having a comfortable ride could help put you more at ease.
The cons of an SUV as a first car?
SUVs are big and could be more challenging to drive
Fitting an SUV into a tight parking space or driving on a narrow road could be more challenging than if you had a smaller car. That said, learning in an SUV could force you to get used to a bigger car straight away, plus many modern SUVs do have advanced parking assistance features.
SUVs can be more expensive to buy
Something that can put off many new drivers from buying an SUV is the price tag. While there are some affordable used cars on the market, you typically won’t find a reliable SUV for sale for less than $8,000. As a result, you may have to pay higher monthly finance instalments.
SUVs can be more expensive to insure
Because of their size and value, SUVs can also be more expensive than smaller cars to insure. This can put off many new drivers – insurance for new drivers is typically very high and getting cover for an SUV could be difficult for some new drivers on a tight budget.
Should you get an SUV as your first car?
SUVs can be a good option for new drivers who are able to afford them. They are safe, comfortable and fuel-efficient. The upfront cost and cost to insure them may be too much for some new drivers. You also need to make sure that you are confident driving a larger vehicle (a growing number of drivers are learning in SUVs – in which case an SUV may not seem normal).
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