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Possibly I’m taking the abundance of SUVs round each nook a bit too personally. I reside in Downtown Los Angeles, and my constructing’s parking storage could be very slim, but this doesn’t cease a number of drivers from swinging their SUVs (which I doubt ever see the path or tow a single factor) at 30 miles per hour across the corners and making dangerously large turns which have me ready for influence day-after-day. So sure, I’m virtually killed by SUVs every day.
Nonetheless, I nonetheless consider my opinion is legitimate and goes past this horrific morning routine.
The SUV has toppled the Ford F-150 pickup to turn out to be the most well-liked car in America. Based on MotorTrend, the Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling car in 2024, with 475,193 fashions purchased by People. This was a 9 p.c enhance from 2023, which means it’s not a fluke — SUVs are right here to remain, and they’re doubtless solely going to get extra in style. I imply, in 2025, the RAV4 bought over 124,000 items in Quarter 2 alone by way of US Information, making it the most well-liked car as soon as extra.
People love their giant automobiles, each the gas-guzzling fashions and the electrical ones. I’m not saying I’m clueless as to why that’s. It’s simple to grasp the attraction of the SUV:
- A number of room for lugging round youngsters and all their stuff
- Towing capabilities for touring and tenting
- Capability to drive over a wide range of highway situations safely
- A number of security options for much more safety
I’m not saying I don’t perceive widespread sense, okay? I’m saying that I simply hate them.
Protected Within the Flawed Methods
Talking of security, the SUV is simply plain protected. I don’t imply it might drive over a patch of ice: I imply that it’s meant to have large attraction and make on a regular basis folks really feel assured in driving one off the lot. There’s no going mistaken with an SUV should you simply wish to commute in one thing comfy and aware. No point out of look right here since most SUV consumers doubtless don’t care about that facet.
There are many SUVs to select from — some with a give attention to security, others with a give attention to vary, and a few with a give attention to off-road dealing with. Nonetheless, you couldn’t start to inform me which one is concentrated on what. SUVs are just like the male actors in a Hollywood rom-com you watch on a aircraft: all of them look mainly the identical, besides one has barely longer hair and one wears a watch.
In the event you lined up America’s hottest SUVs and lined their logos, I couldn’t start to let you know which one I’m taking a look at. It might be the Exploration 500, iq800, Sportage YMCA, I’d don’t have any clue. And that’s actually on function — automotive manufacturers are aiming to make SUVs as homogenous as attainable, protected, acquainted, inoffensive, nothing controversial. Jalopnik writes that the US’s very strict security rules additionally play a component, with these necessities dictating the SUV’s form and options.
Even SUV stans have a tough time actually explaining how these automobiles stand out from each other. Mentioned one man on Reddit: “Pedestrian security is a serious motive why the entrance finish of recent automobiles share comparable profiles. Nonetheless, I believe there are nonetheless distinguishing options between completely different automakers. Hyundai SUVs have sharp and angular strains. Subaru has actually leaned into plastic physique cladding on latest fashions. Mazda has that entire clean Kodo design philosophy.”
One’s a bit smoother than the opposite? Thoughts. Blown.
Masters of None
SUVs are touted for his or her versatility — they will pull issues, drive on issues, carry issues, you title it. Nonetheless, it’s that all-rounder stuff that actually revolts me. Identical to I’d by no means go to a restaurant that has pizza, sushi, and tacos, I don’t need a massive, honking car that is able to slapdash a bunch of duties that I solely want executed as soon as in a blue moon. No, I wish to go to the sushi restaurant with a skilled sushi chef from Japan and contemporary components shipped every day.
After I like a automotive, it’s as a result of it’s a grasp at what it’s made for. Its design, options, and supplies all have a harmonious focus, coming collectively to create a car that’s superb at what it does. The Nineteen Nineties Mazda Miata, with its balanced distribution, gentle weight, lack of traction management, and responsive steering, is a grasp in the case of dealing with. The little automotive appears like a go-kart, turning instantly, sharply, and confidently on the windiest of roads. In the meantime, it has a scarcity of trunk area, and it’s not quick. It’s simply not. However that’s actually okay: folks get the Miata as a result of it’s enjoyable, not as a result of it’s a velocity demon. If you would like a velocity demon, get one other automotive.
Once more, I get it. I get that some folks simply need every little thing. It’s handy, comfy, and succesful. However you may’t make me like them. SUVs don’t have any soul. They have been created to attraction to everybody and meet each want — regardless of most individuals not even doing any of these issues. That’s a completely diferent facet of SUVs that boggles my thoughts: the necessity for an obnoxiously giant SUV squished into a good storage however you don’t even want the additional seats, cargo area, or off-road capabilities. Need boring? Simply get a Corolla then.
The SUV can do a whole lot of issues averagely, which is sorta cool to some folks, however you gained’t discover anybody with a poster of a Subaru Solterra on their wall. No one has their Toyota RAV4 as a telephone background. It’s doubtless tough to search out somebody who drives their Volvo XC60 on the weekend only for enjoyable. And that’s as a result of SUVs will not be enjoyable — they’re boring and everybody is aware of it.
Some folks don’t thoughts, and a few folks do. I’m somebody who does.
