The large size, additional seats, and increased cargo space make SUVs a popular choice for families. But a beginner or a non-professional driver may think that an SUV is a car that moves equally well on any road. You might think that an SUV can accelerate on the highway to 100 MPH, is excellent to maneuver in the city, and when entering the forest, you can quickly overcome ravines, holes, pass meter-long sand and mud.
But no! In fact, each class of car is built for certain driving conditions, and today there is no universal car that would equally well overcome the sand dunes and at the same time surprise with the speed and comfort on city roads. Therefore, before buying a 6-passenger SUV, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons, as well as other important points of 6-passenger SUVs.
First, You Have To Decide If You Need A Regular SUV Or Crossover
Crossovers are smaller and tend to offer better handling, similar to driving a sedan or station wagon, while the conventional options are more truck-like and often have extra towing or power options. Accurate knowledge of the driving style and scope of the vehicle will help you choose the right car category.
SUV Engine Features
In general, 6-seat SUVs are larger, heavier, and less aerodynamic than conventional cars, so buying an SUV means more costs. When choosing between a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, or an eight-cylinder engine, expect to spend more fuel than in a case with a simple car. However, this is compensated by other advantages offered by SUVs. If you frequently travel long distances with short off-road driving, a four-cylinder engine is your best choice.
When buying an SUV specifically for off-road driving, diesel engines should be a priority. And although diesel engines are weaker than gasoline ones, their advantages for SUVs are obvious:
- High torque.
- Moisture resistance.
- Lower fuel consumption.
Diesel engines deliver high torque at lower engine speeds, ensuring that the slightest push on the accelerator will make the car move.
The diesel engine is less sensitive to moisture penetration into the fuel tank. And the engine will work even if water gets into the tank. Fuel consumption also matters if it's supposed to be an hour-long trip to the country house outside the city or a multi-day trip through some beautiful back-country roads.
Four-Wheel Drive vs Two-Wheel Drive
It is imperative to know in advance what the SUV ride will be like. If most of the time the car is driven in urban areas, the front-wheel-drive option is ideal for such needs. However, if you are often faced with adverse weather conditions or rough terrain, a four-wheel drive is the best option. If off-roading is the main area of movement, a four-wheel drive is a must. Otherwise, two driving wheels will save gas and will be easier to maintain.
Safety Considerations
Maintainability And Comfort
If you are going to drive most of the time not on city roads, then maintainability is very important for your 6-seat SUV. The car should be easy to repair not only at the service station or in the garage, but even in the field. A well-built SUV should have a minimum of electronics and the wiring should be additionally protected from moisture and damage. And if a light bulb or indicator fails, this should not affect the operation of the power unit and the oil system in any way.
No matter how technically correct an SUV is, if the car has uncomfortable seats, a very stiff suspension, and poor noise insulation, then it will be difficult to drive it. Psychological and physiological discomfort will quickly affect the driver. Therefore, it is necessary that on smooth asphalt, the SUV is not inferior in comfort to the sedan. And, of course, it makes sense to pay attention to some additional technical aspects such as a system for selecting the driving mode, air suspension, as well as all kinds of electronic assistants that will help the driver both in the swamp and in tight city parking lots.