How to Buy an SUV

Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are sporty, roomy light trucks, which many people enjoy driving. There are some factors specific to an SUV that you should think about before you run out to purchase one. SUVs can be pricey -- full-size models tend to start around $30,000. While many things are the same as buying any other kind of vehicle, reading a buyer's guide will help you to set foot on the lot without going in cold.

Purchasing an SUV

If you have ever purchased a car before, you are on good footing when searching for an SUV. There are, however, some specific factors to consider when looking for a sport utility vehicle.

Your Needs

You should first carefully evaluate your needs for an SUV. A few simple questions will narrow the field to a handful of SUVs that fit the needs of you and your family:

  • Do you have a big family? If so, you'll want an SUV that can seat all of you.
  • Do you need a lot of cargo space? Make sure that you get an SUV that is roomy and consider getting one with roof rails.
  • Do you do a lot of towing? How much do you need to tow? This will help you to answer how much towing power you need in an SUV.
How to Buy an SUV

These are all valid questions to consider when buying an SUV. The average SUV does offer quite a bit of roomy seating and good cargo space. Some SUVs can tow as much as 12,000 pounds. Evaluate whether or not you need a subcompact, compact, midsize, or full-size SUV. Check the passenger capacity and examine cargo capacity with the back seats up and down.

As with any other product, a dealer may get you to buy things that you don't need. In addition to getting a vehicle that has more seats, cargo space or towing power than you actually need, one common upsell is four-wheel drive. This is only necessary if you plan to go off roading. Otherwise, the four-wheel drive will just cost you more money at the dealership and at the pump.

The Buying Experience

Before you buy an SUV you should decide on your budget and then pick either a new or used SUV. Kelley Blue Book is the gold standard in vehicle values, and this can help you to find the right SUV for your budget. Decide on whether or not a used SUV or new SUV fits your budget best. You can find information on used car values and new car pricing by make and model at Kelley Blue Book.

If you are looking to purchase a fuel-efficient car, you might not want to purchase an SUV. The average new car gets close to about 28 miles per gallon. With SUVs, you can get a fuel efficiency of as low as 10 miles per gallon. However, many compact SUVs get better gas mileage, and SUV hybrids are gaining popularity as a more eco-friendly choice of wheels for driving.

When you go to buy an SUV you should be wary of a dealer who attempts to aggressively upsell you things that you do not need. You should always take a test drive when buying a new vehicle, and this is especially true of an SUV. Remember that SUVs are more prone to rollover than other types of vehicles, so it is very important that you get one that you can handle. SUVs based on cars generally provide better handling than those based on trucks. If you are interested in government safety ratings, you can peruse the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website to read about the most and least safe sport utility vehicles.

Caution

Much has been written about the safety of SUVs. One thing that is known for sure among those in the know in the automobile industry is that rollovers occur more frequently with SUVs than with other cars. This is because the wheel tracks are closer together on SUVs than in other vehicle classes. SUVs also have a higher center of gravity due to the fact that they ride so high off the ground. If you do purchase an SUV, don't load more cargo than the vehicle is equipped to handle. Many SUVs are built on car frames though, which make them safer than the average SUV. Do know that many new midsize and full-size SUVs have vastly improved, state-of-the art safety systems complete with rollover protection systems.

Shop for an SUV Online

The Internet has a number of resources for buying cars. Here are some places to shop for an SUV on the Internet.

  • CarsDirect will provide you with a price quote for most makes and models.
  • Cars.com serves up a listing of new and used SUVs by make, model, your price range and your zip code.
  • Edmunds.com helps you buy or sell new and used SUVs.

Getting the Best SUV

What the "best" SUV is for you is largely a function of your personal needs. The best SUV may be the one with the highest towing capacity, the biggest cargo space or the highest safety rating. Being clear about what it is that you need from an SUV before you make your purchase is essential to making sure that you get the right vehicle.