SUV buyers once had very mistaken ideas about their truck-like vehicles

They thought they were safe in what they thought were big strong vehicles. It's worth looking at some of the aspects involved to understand how far the modern crossover SUV has been developed.

• SUV drivers liked their elevated view of the road. However, it took so much concentration to keep the things on track it distracted from any potential awareness and anticipation of hazards ahead.
• SUVs also had a high centre of gravity, high profile tyres, long travel suspension and sloppy steering making it difficult to brake and steer to avoid an accident.
• When involved in an accident SUVs didn't have the protection promised by their big strong appearance. Old SUVs were built on a ladder chassis inside the wheel plan. They had no side protection and no whole front or rear protection.

If you make a SUV comparison between the old traditional 4x4 and the new crossover cars you'll find all these issues have been addressed. If you take an Audi Q5 as an example, it's built like a car. The driver still has an elevated view of the road, plus good handling. The steering is accurate and there is little body roll. The Q5 has low profile tyres and car like suspension with ESP fitted standard across the range. This means if the driver anticipates an accident they a have far greater chance of braking and steering to avoid an accident. In the event of a crash the occupants have 5-star EuroNCAP crash test protection.

The Q5 is one of many new SUVs making the 4x4 an attractive proposition once again.

Regards
Ralph
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