Should You Fear Your SUV?

Today on Netscape ^ | 01\31\04 | Eric Peters

[Gone_Postal]

It's one thing to criticize SUVs for using more gas than the typical passenger car--even to dislike them on aesthetic grounds. But to argue they're less safe than the typical passenger car--as NHTSA's Dr. Jeffrey Runge has implied--or to accuse them of befouling the environment is quite another.

Part of the attempted crucifixion of SUVs relies on selling half-truths about government and insurance-industry crash-test data. SUVs are often portrayed as "menaces" because when they are involved in collisions with the average passenger car--which is much smaller and lighter than the average SUV--the smaller car almost always suffers disproportionately more damage. But instead of suggesting that people who value their lives more than miles per gallon should consider driving larger, inherently more-crashworthy vehicles--including SUVs--critics such as Dr. Runge argue that SUVs and large passenger vehicles be forcibly "downsized" by government regulation in order to make the contest "more equal." If everyone drove cars the size of Honda Civics, they suggest, we'd all be safer.

But if you run off the road and hit a telephone pole, you've got a much better chance of living to tell the tale if you happen to be driving a larger, heavier vehicle, such as an SUV, rather than a Civic-size compact. And in high-speed accidents, larger, heavier vehicles--such as SUVs--are inherently more-crashworthy than compacts. "Traveling in a larger, heavier vehicle reduces your risk of being killed in a crash. There is no more firmly established conclusion in the vast body of traffic safety research," notes Dr. Leonard Evans of the International Traffic Medicine Association. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published similar findings. Read More >>

[Gone_Postal]

Finally someone gets it right

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[Salamander]

"to make the contest more equal".

Well now...wasn't that an interesting Freudian slip.

Just this evening some Yuppie in a little pocket-rocket tried to FORCE us to "yield" as he made an illegal merge onto the highway.
Currently we have a 4Runner and previously we had a Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
Because of people like our little "mini-racer" guy tonight, we intend to -always- drive the largest truck/SUV we can afford.
As we left the shopping center we saw a 3 car pileup involving 3 little "economy" cars.
The contest looked pretty "equal" there.
I have no idea who "won".

[TalBlack]

"Finally" some one gets it right?

It's been out there for 20 years that you are safer in a larger vehicle hitting another large vehicle or hitting a smaller vehicle than you are in a small vehicle hitting even ANOTHER small vehicle. This was looked into when the Gov't first began FORCING the car co's to downsize the product. But still we see articles like this debunking the everpresent, unceasing liberal propaganda. The truth is that 20 years from now (provided SUV's survive another 20 years)someone on FR will still be writing 'finally someone gets it right'.

[truth_seeker]

My wife is NOT a fad follower. For SUVs she was initially opposed.

She would cite the Izusu rollovers and the Explorer tire failures.

Then in 2000 Mercedes ran an ad for safety of their ML320. At the same time, BMW introduced their X5 which was just about the safest vehicle ever tested, of any type.

She announced, based on safety, that we could now get a German SUV (note-both above models made in US).

Weight isn't the entire picture. The Volvo S80 was, for a time, the safest sedan ever tested. Now the Volvo SUV has rollover correction--first vehicle with this feature.

I believe that all vehicles are much safer now, after years of emphasis.

I still want to be able to drive what I like, without unreasonable government involvement.

[Dan from Michigan]

Good to see something with a little sense.

1. My SUV has a V-6. Before I drove an explorer, I drove a Mercury Cougar with a V8 and had worse gas mileage.
2. As far as accidents go, it's no comparison between an SUV or a truck and something like a Geo Metro.

And to those that want to ban my SUV - F@#$ you!!!!!

[flashbunny]

If a liberal doesn't want you driving an SUV, ask them why they aren't pro-choice...

[Gone_Postal]

The truth is that 20 years from now (provided SUV's survive another 20 years)someone on FR will still be writing 'finally someone gets it right'.

And you know what.......with Gods blessing and the safety of my Tahoe, it just might be me

[solitas]

And to those that want to ban my SUV - F@#$ you!!!!!

Don't be so snotty. You believe it's your right to drive an suv; I believe it's my right to laugh like he|| when I see you and your chil'ren 'ragdolled' all over the place after a rollover. It's not your right to expect me to stop and help, so don't be disappointed if the moment happens.

I drive an early 80's Benz sedan - if an suv causes an accident with me, and I'm not a fatality: they WILL be.

[Uncle Fud]

Amen to that. There are many SUV owners (some of them Freepers) who think of "safety" in terms of careening along in a straight line whilst smaller vehicles bounce off theirs.

I drive a Maxima with some serious suspension and brake mods and am confident that I can (a) accelerate, (b) steer, and (c) brake my way out of trouble.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Did you get the Mercedes, by any chance? I'm looking at them right now (the ML350/ML500) and wondering if they're very reliable and comfortable. (I'm having reliability issues with my current one year-old $45k car. Ugh.)

[blackbart.223]

"And to those that want to ban my SUV - F@#$ you!!!!!"

I couldn't agree more. I drive a Dodge Ram 150 with large tires. It will climb telephone poles and most Hondas.

[truth_seeker]

"Did you get the Mercedes, by any chance? I'm looking at them right now (the ML350/ML500) and wondering if they're very reliable and comfortable."

Leased a 2000 ML320 in Oct. 2000. Got equipment I wanted, leather, premium sound w/6 CD changer. Avoided navi, and other costly option groups.

Have had more issues than I consider acceptable for a vehicle at that price, from a company with reputation for excellence.

They have made all repairs at no cost, with free loaner. Except for a control computer problem the first year, it has been thoroughly reliable mechanically. Way too many broken plastic parts, for my liking.

We do like the functionality of an SUV of this size. It seems every manufacturer has SUVs and crossovers, now. Most wind up costing nearly the same as MB.

What to pick next?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[Elliott Jackalope]

You might want to take a look at the Toyota Highlander. I have an '01 ML320, and although it is a very nice rig it has had a number of minor problems. The dealership has been absolutely excellent in dealing with these problems, every one has been fixed right the first time.

So, overall, I can recommend the ML series, but be prepared to have a number of minor problems that will need to be addressed. My problems have included a failed wheel spin sensor that caused the traction control system to quit working (a real problem when you are on snow covered roads), three different interior noises that needed fixing, and the fuel gauge quit working. All fixed under warranty, and done right the first time.

My '01 Toyota Tundra, OTOH, has been flawless in every way. Not one single problem. Not one.

(I'm posting at 3:20 am because of insomnia, in case you're wondering.)

[Glenn]

I drive a Maxima with some serious suspension and brake mods and am confident that I can (a) accelerate, (b) steer, and (c) brake my way out of trouble.

Best of luck to you. Let's hope you are right.

[Kozak]

I always note that the bumper of my 3/4 ton, 7.4L V8 Suburban is just about head high for most compact and subcompact drivers....

[VeniVidiVici]

My mini pickup Nissan Frontier CrewCab gets the same gas mileage as my Ford Expedition.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you both. Darn. I have a 2003 Audi - an extremely cool car in that same price range - and I'm kind of on my last nerve with it. I've been looking around and I'm not in love with the M350, but I would have imagined a Mercedes to be rather trouble-free. I appreciate the feedback.

(Darn. For almost $50k, you just don't want to be in the shop all the time, you know? What's WITH these companies? I had a BMW for six years, and that thing never went in the shop ONCE for anything other than routine maintenance.)